History of the Humanities

This Element is a newcomer's guide to the history of the humanities. Surveying the types of work in which historians of the humanities engage, it shows that (1) they expand horizons by inviting scholars to look beyond their own discipline; (2) they tell stories that provide historical answers to the question of what the humanities are; (3) they trace origins by explaining where the humanities come from; (4) they provide direction by suggesting what the humanities might do in times of 'crisis'; and (5) they address challenges, such as tensions between methods, viewpoints, and vocabularies. Mapping current trends and identifying areas for future research, this Element offers both a state-of-the-art survey and a rationale for examining the humanities through historical lenses.