Panel assesses the future of the humanities

From literature, history and philosophy to languages and filmmaking, the humanities define what makes us the complex beings we are. A panel discussion tomorrow (Wednesday, Feb. 3) at the Chazen Museum of Art, 800 University Ave., 5:30 p.m., will explore the topic of the humanities in the 21st century. Panelists are: Jim Leach, chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities; Don Randel, president of the Mellon Foundation; and Pauline Yu, president of the American Council of Learned Societies. UW–Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin will moderate.

Leach is a former Republican congressman from Iowa and one of President Obama’s appointees. Leach launched a 50-state tour in November 2009 to call attention to the need for civility in public discourse. “Civilization requires civility,” says Leach. “Words matter. Polarizing attitudes can jeopardize social cohesion.” This visit is his Wisconsin stop on the tour.

The event is sponsored by the UW–Madison Center for the Humanities and is part of Year of the Humanities events. Visit www.humanities.wisc.edu for more information.