Put simply, the humanities are areas of learning that focus on the uniquely human elements of our world. And, although the humanities have much in common with the arts, they are analytical rather than expressive, reflective rather than active, critical rather than intuitive.
Many people mistakenly believe that the humanities exist only in text books and college classrooms.
But you don't have to live in an ivory tower to understand and enjoy the humanities. Every time you go to a museum exhibit that tells a story of human experience, join a book discussion at your local library, watch the History Channel, read a great book, attend a town discussion, explore new viewpoints or experience other cultures you are using the humanities to help make sense of the world around you .