Research Essay: Benefits of Studying Arts and Humanities in Canada

This essay explores the benefits of studying arts and humanities in contemporary education. It argues against the notion that these subjects are less valuable than STEM fields, emphasizing their importance in developing critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. The essay highlights the value of arts and humanities in various fields, including engineering, medicine, and business, and emphasizes the role of these subjects in fostering well-rounded individuals who are prepared for the complexities of the modern world. It discusses how the study of arts and humanities enhances employability by improving communication, creativity, and cultural understanding. The essay also examines the impact of these subjects on cognitive skills and their role in preparing students for their civic responsibilities.

Surname 1
Student’s Name:
Professor’s Name:
Course Number:
Date:
Contemporary Issues: Benefits of Studying Arts and Humanities
INTRODUCTION
With the increasing surge in education debates in Canada, the main area of concern that still
lingers at the forefront of our mutual consciousness is how best the students of tomorrow may be
educated. There is a large wall that separates the different learning disciplines which ought to be
removed so that students may move across subjects without restraint, while acquiring necessary
oral or written skills to better facilitate their transition into the real world. Unlike recent
allegations (Rebarb 86) that stipulating that the study of arts and humanities is a waste of time, as
compared to other subjects, like engineering, medicine, and business, studies show that learning
arts and humanities in themselves adds great value to one’s education and character. Students
are, therefore, more likely to succeed in technical subjects if they have strong skills mainly
acquired in the study of arts and humanities (Gardner). This paper, thus, discusses the benefits of
studying arts and humanities in the modern education sector.
GENERAL BENEFITS
In this rapidly evolving world of technology, humanities and arts have become a necessity in
classrooms mainly to maintain the student’s perspective and balance. Recent sources indicate
that humanities not only fortify the students’ perspective on global issues, but also widens their
intellectual bases through the learning of proper communication, creativity, critical thinking,
problem solving, and civic engagement. Additionally, these subjects emphasize on the relevance

Surname 2
of human values, ethics and accountabilities, and enable students comprehend the general impact
that technical subjects may have on the economy (Albert). In general, arts and humanities ensure
that academics are both well-rounded, and thinkers. As such, these subjects are not just a luxury
that should be taken as part-time courses (Rebarb 86), but rather a strong element necessary
during the progression of one’s life.
According to Akua (42), humanities and arts are the study and comprehension of human
culture. However, these subjects, being multi-faceted, also allow students to envision the historic
route adopted by mankind, so as to help them visualize the future. Therefore, they make
connections between what was there historically in order to create challenges in the development
of more solid foundations for innovation. These studies not only teach creativity, but allow
students to think creatively and critically about their paths to come up with valid advice for
others. By so doing, it enriches people’s sense of values and moral obligation, and equips future
professionals to envision a life far beyond their understanding in preparation for future
confrontations (Nell 183).
Employability. Arts and humanities allow for the retraining of students’ brains. The different
aspects of these subjects, including public speaking, creative and technical writing, and class
presentations enable students to acquire better communication skills for their future professions.
Similarly, arts provide an insight into creativity, which is often crucial in innovation. Since
innovation is widely accepted as the foundation upon which new industries are erected in the
future, it is a skill that ensures future economic prosperity (Kouyate 40). Arts and humanities
also allow students create – a concept that has previously aided in the development of better

Surname 3
solutions, new jobs, and economic wellbeing. Humanities also encourage individuals to come up
with better solutions to improve living conditions for the entire community. Studies also indicate
that a correlation exists in arts and in the improvement of scores in technical subjects, such as
mathematics. This is due to the fact that arts enhances better cognitive control, working memory,
fluency, and better reading attention. By investing in the teaching of arts and humanities, nations
will be able to complete globally by providing employees adept at the fundamentals of economic
success (Fitzgerald).
Engineering, and Arts and Humanities. Humanities and arts courses similarly train students to be
efficient in both written and oral communication. Thus, they become even more efficient in their
professions. By teaching the students about their civic and cultural duties, the students will more
effectively develop original ideas in technological innovation. Shimonura (184) states that even
students well equipped in advanced scientific knowledge generally have a limited shelf-life due
to the evolving nature of the engineering field. As such, the study of arts and humanities may
prove useful in providing the right tools for expanding their knowledge through research. In
addition, the study of humanities in engineering also ensures that future professionals can
communicate and cooperate with others while working in teams (Pazich).
Medicine, and Arts and Humanities. Several studies show that humanities have the ability to
promote the formation of humane doctors. Often, such doctors are more holistically oriented, and
have the skills and attitudes to meet the unique, and various requirements their patients’
emotional and physical demands. Therefore, a curriculum that integrates both arts and
humanities would emphasize on the need or values, accountability, and ethos of genuine caring.
Additionally, humanities would serve to protect medicine students against the threat of

Surname 4
reductionism, which would be contradictory in the long-term advancement of medicine (Randall
275).
Business, and Arts and Humanities. Arts and humanities have been known to provide students
with a wide range of soft skills rarely taught in business classes. For example, public speaking
may be used in business to present class projects, thereby equipping students with the ability to
present and defend their business proposals to potential investors in the future. Similarly,
humanities would allow them to acquire knowledge about different culture so as to better
comprehend the contemporary and future global trends. Acquaintance with international affairs
would also enable the students to establish business ideas that are beneficial for the community,
in general (Hollis).
CONCLUSION
While technical students may be equipped in solving problems, as they become more broad and
complex, they would require proper people skills in communicating with others. Improvement in
written, creative, and cultural skills is, therefore, crucial in the development of holistic technical
and non-technical professionals. This process should begin in classrooms, and should include
education on different aspects, such as, politics, culture, humanities, history and arts. This
education not only equips future professionals in the development of interpersonal and
communication relations, but also ensures that they are better equipped to fulfill their societal
responsibilities.

Surname 5
Works Cited
Albert, Dan. "Ten Important Reasons to Include the Humanities in Your Preparation for a
Scientific Career." 2 May 2011. Science Mag. 4 April 2019.
<http://blogs.sciencemag.org/sciencecareers/2011/05/ten-important-r.html>.
Fitzgerald, Deborah. At MIT, the Humanities Are Just as Important as STEM. News Article.
Boston: The Boston Globe, 2017. Web. 4 April 2019.
Gardner, Howard. Frames of Mind The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. 1. Vol. 1. New York:
Basic, 2011. Print.
Hollis, Jennifer. "COALITION." 21 February 2019. Zendesk. 4 April 2019.
<coalitionlocker.zendesk>.
Kouyate, Akua. STEAM Ahead: Merging Arts and Science Education. Graduate. American
Graduate Education. New York: PBS News, 2012. Document. 4 April 2019.
Nell, Amanda. "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Developing Placement Services for Liberal
Arts Undergraduates." Journal of Career Development 1.1 (2003): 183. Document.
Pazich, Loni, Bordoloi. "I H E." Education Report. 2016. Document. 4 April 2019.
Randall, William. "Composing a Good Strong Story: The Advantages of a Liberal Arts
Environment for Experiencing and Exploring the Narrative Complexity of Human Life."
Journal of General Education 1.1 (2012): 277-293. Document.
Rebarb, Max. "Wasted Educational Dollars." Rebarb, Max. New Perspectives on Educational
and Economical Benefit. 1. Vol. 1. Stamps Lane: Stamps Lane Press, 2017. 85-117.
Paperback.
Shimomura, Yutaka. "Mechanics for Liberal Arts Students." Procedia IUTAM (2017): 183-188.
Document.