Humanities

MIT alumni and faculty have a long history of public policy service. Kathleen Hicks PhD ’10 (left) is director of the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Samuel Rodarte Jr. ’13 is a legislative aide for U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano.

Shaping public policy in the nation's capital

Alumni continue an enduring tradition of MIT service.

April 12, 2017

Introducing acclaimed sociologist Arlie Hochschild to MIT, Catherine Gamon, director of the Sloan Student Life Office said, "Hochschild tries to scale an 'empathy wall' to understand her interviewees’ perspectives on the interplay of politics, business, and culture. To me this fits beautifully with MIT's desire to have an impact, and to bring heart into the equation — mind, hand, and heart."

In MIT visit, sociologist Arlie Hochschild discusses U.S. political divisions

At Mens et Manus America event, Hochschild recommends three pillars of action for finding common ground among U.S. voters.

April 10, 2017

“I’m really loving MIT so far,” MIT philosophy Associate Professor Tamar Schapiro says. “The philosophy department here has a reputation as being the friendliest in the country, and it’s really true. People enjoy it, and that creates a virtuous cycle.”

“What we’re doing when we try to live our lives well”

Philosopher Tamar Schapiro studies how we blend reason and emotion while refining our adult selves.

March 9, 2017

Planned in secret over a year and a half to mark David Pesetsky's 60th birthday, a surprise celebration featured panel discussions on two linguistics topics of keen interest to Pesetsky — case and wh-questions — and was rounded out with poster sessions and a celebratory dinner.

David Pesetsky honored by MIT Linguistics colleagues and alumni

Surprise gathering and "Festschrift" salute Pesetsky's research, influence, and teaching in linguistics.

March 6, 2017

"In theater, we imagine the impossible and try to make that possible," says Charlotte Brathwaite, an MIT assistant professor of theater arts, and an independent director of classical and unconventional texts, operas, dance, multimedia and site-specific installations, and concerts. "We not only imagine, but create the world as we think the world should be."

The world as we think the world should be

Assistant Professor Charlotte Brathwaite believes theater brings people together in a positive way.

February 17, 2017

"My own work has drawn heavily on a number of normally distant disciplines," says Richard Nielsen, MIT assistant professor of political science. "I’m convinced that ... despite the tendency for scholars to remain in our own disciplinary silos, the big breakthroughs on complex issues will come at the intersections of fields, from researchers and teams that are willing to bridge disciplinary divid...

3 Questions with Richard Nielsen: How political science helps combat terrorism

Assistant Professor Richard Nielsen explores why some Muslim clerics adopt the ideology of militant jihad while most do not.

February 3, 2017

“Queer Theory: The French Response,” by MIT professor Bruno Perreau and published by Stanford University Press, analyzes the dispute over gay rights in France.

A new fight with old battle lines

Book explores what France’s LGBTQ rights battle says about identity and belonging.

February 2, 2017

"Students selected as Burchard Scholars are some of MIT's liveliest undergraduates," says Margery Resnick, professor of literature and director of the Burchard program. "They are unafraid to wrestle with new ideas."

35 exceptional MIT students are named Burchard Scholars for 2017

Sophomores and juniors who excel in the HASS and STEM fields are honored.

December 20, 2016

“I have worked on a number of research projects over the years, but the work we did on the Parasocial Contact Hypothesis is the most important work I have ever done," says Edward Schiappa, the John E. Burchard Professor of the Humanities, and head of Comparative Media Studies/Writing. "Winning this award is terrific acknowledgement of the value of the years we spent on that research.”

Edward Schiappa receives the Charles H. Woolbert Research Award

Test-of-time award recognizes work that has stimulated new conceptualizations of communication phenomena.

December 19, 2016

Arthur Kaledin, professor emeritus of history and American studies, dies at 86

Scholar and noted expert in the life of French diplomat and political scientist Alexis de Tocqueville was an acclaimed MIT teacher.

December 6, 2016

Professor Mark Jarzombek (right) discusses curriculum issues with other architectural historians and university instructors at an annual meeting of the Global Architectural History Teaching Collaborative.

School of Architecture and Planning receives $1.5 million grant from Mellon Foundation

Grant continues support for the Global Architectural History Teaching Collaborative.

November 30, 2016

On Nov. 17, the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble, led by Fred Harris, delivered Mark Harvey’s composition “No Walls,” an anthem to inclusiveness inspired by Duke Ellington’s credo of living and making music “beyond category.”

“Uniting through Voice and Song” event celebrates values that connect the MIT community

November 22, 2016

My Sister's Keeper seeks to support black women students at MIT, through social, professional, and mentoring relationships. From left to right: Nikahya Etienne, Naomi Dereje, Annie Abay, Bettina Arkhurst, and Kristina Hill.

My Sister's Keeper builds community for black women students at MIT

New organization aims to increase connections, mentoring, and success.

November 10, 2016

The term “wild,” is receiving renewed attention from academics and popular authors alike. MIT historian Harriet Ritvo notes that even those who are critical of the term employ it frequently, and that most of us remain uncertain of the word's conceptual parameters.

3Q: Historian Harriet Ritvo on what it means to be "wild"

Scientists, social scientists, and humanists heed the call of the wild at MIT workshop.

November 4, 2016

Bruno Perreau, the Cynthia L. Reed Professor of French Studies at MIT, has been named a chevalier in the French Order of Academic Palms.

Bruno Perreau named to the French Academic Palms

Humanities scholar honored with France's highest distinction for academics.

October 5, 2016

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