The humanities disciplines use historical, philosophical, and artistic approaches to study the human condition. Humanistic knowledge plays a crucial part in the education of the individual and the betterment of society. The humanities broaden and deepen human awareness, give training in language, art, and rhetoric, build the core competencies of citizenship, and are even more important in a world where work and play have become globally connected.

Nationally Renowned Faculty & Programs

Duke’s humanities departments represent some of the top-ranked programs in the nation. Particular areas of teaching and research strength abound in the broad areas of languages and literatures, religion and philosophy, cultural history and visual studies, using the full range of traditional and new digital modes of inquiry. In addition, research in the humanities is strongly allied with the interpretive social sciences.

Interdisciplinary Approach to the Arts

Duke is also a rich place to study, practice and perform art, creative writing, dance, media and visual arts, music and theater. Our programs are defined by the university’s culture of cross-disciplinary research and education. As a result, the whole of Duke serves as a resource for the arts, informing and deepening student and faculty exploration of artistic expression and tradition.

Please see our departments, centers and affiliated research groups below.