Helen Small's most recent book is The Value of the Humanities (2013, Oxford University Press), which provides a critical account of the principal arguments used to defend the value of the humanities. Unlike many works in the field, Professor Small (Oxford University) does not engage in polemic in her book, but tests each of the most frequently offered arguments for the humanities for their validity in our current moment. This talk will begin with arguments made about the humanities by Bertrand Russell before moving to present day debates.

This event is also sponsored by the Humanities Center and Department of English. For more information, contact Dan Kubis at dankubis@pitt.edu.