HUM 2 is the point at which traditions start to merge—Greco-Roman, Judeo-Christian, Germanic, and Islamic—and absorb ideas from diverse and distant spaces. In HUM 1, we study two distinct cultural spheres. In HUM 2, the world opens up and we begin to see the movement and melding of thought across vast distances. Eastern mystical traditions transform Western religions. Viking trade networks spur the emergence of new cultural centers. The translation of Arabic philosophical texts into Latin revolutionizes European scholarship on astronomy, math, science, and medicine.

Choosing texts that capture some of the key issues of a course that spans 1000 years is both challenging and inspiring. There is so much to consider—the rise of empire and world religions, the impact of feudal institutions and chivalric ideals, the shaping of ethnic categories and construction of cultural boundaries. HUM 2 is my passion not only because I can take the course in so many different directions, but because it brings to light one of the most fundamental questions of humanity: How do we as individuals navigate and make sense of life in an ever-changing world?

Kristina Markman, Associate Director