HONORING PEOPLE
“ There ' s a famous phrase in the design world that I have begun hearing as we integrate the Stein College with the STEAM Institute and the humanities ,” Stein College Dr . Tim Snyder says when we sit down to talk about that very integration , “ which is that people ignore design that ignores people . That ’ s one of the critical human-focused opportunities we see with these three disciplines coming together .”
In August , Jacksonville University announced a reimagining of its academic offerings to further meet the demands that University administrators see in the marketplace — both from future students and from their future employers and partners . The Stein College , with its School of Performing Arts and School of Art & Design , now includes the School of Humanities , with majors in English , Languages or Philosophy and minors in Humanities , Writing , Women ’ s and Gender Studies , Medical
Writing , Women ’ s and Gender Studies , and Medical Humanities . The Stein College also now offers certificates in Editing and Pre-Law .
Asked why the humanities are such a natural fit with the fine arts , Dean Snyder emphasizes , “ We ’ re talking about the definition of the humanities in the broadest sense : the study of what makes us human . The scholarly inquiry into culture , language , philosophy and the investigation of human nature . The desire of all people to express themselves , to reflect on their environment and their human condition , is foundational to what it means to be an artist .”
READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD
The imaginary pitch Dean Snyder outlined is more plan than pipe dream--the Stein College and STEAM Institute are working together to design a pitch deck for student presentations that simulates real-world job expectations . This type of pre-professional experience is something the Stein College has done for years for visual and performing arts students , a unique experience among Fine Arts colleges . Visual arts graduates are prepared for their first professional exhibitions--where they are asked to consult on or even execute the installation , lighting , labeling , narrating of their pieces--in a way that advances their entrepreneurial pursuit of being a working artist .
Dean Snyder and his faculty colleagues have long focused on equipping Stein College graduates not only with the technical skills of their chosen discipline , but the skills that will allow them to succeed as working artists and performers . Those skills--entrepreneurism , marketing , running a small business--are equally applicable to graduates with degrees in the humanities .
“ The pace of technology in the marketplace is such that a traditional , narrow training in one medium or discipline is outdated . We must start thinking in terms of transferable skills , which run parallel to entrepreneurial skills to manage a small business as a freelance musician or a teacher .”