As a senior Writing Seminars and English double-major with a minor in Philosophy, I can attest that the humanities at Hopkins are a hidden gem.
Freshman year was a whirlwind. I still remember my first class in the Writing Seminars department: Fiction and Poetry I. It was the first time I had ever written creatively and shared my work with a group. Not only did I learn so much from the readings and the course material, but from my fellow classmates as well. We had all come from different parts of the world, but by the end of the course we’d gained perspectives that we never thought we could have. For me, the Writing Seminars department has been a space to test ideas, and that has been more invaluable than any course material.
This feeling isn’t exclusive to the Writing Seminars department—there is an undercurrent of support and intellectual curiosity that runs deep at Hopkins. Though the humanities may be smaller, it’s one of the most close-knit fields of study offered here where professors know your name and your writing style. Each year, you’ll recognize more and more familiar faces in your classes, and it will begin to feel like a home away from home.
The humanities offer the ability to become completely immersed in your studies. Since Hopkins is the #1 research university in the U.S., you have the opportunity to conduct research, write and direct your original play, or even curate your own anthropological exhibit! Some of the coolest things we’ve done recently include: A Writing Seminars event with acclaimed author Tim O’Brien, a country-wide research panel, and a jazz concert in tribute to Baltimore’s own Billie Holiday.
Know that if you come to Hopkins to study the humanities, you’re joining a close, dedicated group of students doing really interesting work. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, future politician, or planning your next archaeological dig, you will find a supportive community.
