Introduction

Introduction

The humanities are essential to humanity. Every book read, political ideology crafted or opposed, art piece interpreted, and existential thought answered at two in the morning can be accredited to the humanities. 

For many pursuing humanities subjects in university, their passions and true self lie in the expanding of cultural perspectives, concern for inequality in social and educational opportunities for citizens worldwide, and the preservation of classical arts and literature. Trends within the last few decades, however, show drastically decreasing participation in the humanities subjects in higher education. This research looks into the causes of these trends, which are rooted in the culture formed by capitalism and its effects on the U.S. population.

Research Question

How has the societal push for STEM subjects in secondary education in the United States as a result of capitalistic social and economic values led to the decrease in participation of the humanities, with a focus on philosophical, writing, and cultural studies, in academic settings?