Humanities and the Arts ‘Taking Flight’ During Year-Long Celebration at the University of Miami

CORAL GABLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Encompassing fields from history to poetry, philosophy to theatre, the humanities and the arts provide essential tools for critical analysis, societal enrichment, and the pursuit of meaning and purpose in our lives. The University of Miami celebrates scholarship, research, community engagement, and creative expression in these vital disciplines with “Taking Flight: The Year of the Humanities and the Arts at the University of Miami.”

“The humanities and the arts are an integral component of life at UM, creating a vibrant mosaic of perspectives that enriches our students’ educational experience in countless ways”

Continuing through the 2012-2013 academic year, this sweeping initiative features high-profile special events including presentations by renowned authors and scholars, and performances by guest artists. “Taking Flight” also highlights existing programs and activities throughout the University, representing all of UM’s academic units on all three of its campuses.

“The humanities and the arts are an integral component of life at UM, creating a vibrant mosaic of perspectives that enriches our students’ educational experience in countless ways,” says UM President Donna E. Shalala, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences. “This initiative allows us to showcase the University’s profound commitment to the humanities and the arts, which explore and build on the achievements and insights of the past to imagine and enhance the future.”

Comprising contributions from academic units, faculty, and students from across the University, “Taking Flight” reflects the vast diversity of human experience while showcasing the varied programs and perspectives that contribute to UM’s rich intellectual and campus life. Also involved are interdisciplinary centers such as the College of Arts and Sciences’ Center for the Humanities, which advances scholarship and fosters awareness of humanistic topics, and the University of Miami Ethics Programs.

For more information, visit http://www6.miami.edu/takingflight/

The University of Miami is the largest private research institution in the southeastern United States. The University’s mission is to provide quality education, attract and retain outstanding students, support the faculty and their research, and build an endowment for University initiatives. www.miami.edu