Introduction to Integrated Humanities for class of 2031 by IAS course

Key concept: Change

individualandsocieties — 2025-09-18 09:13:06 UTC

Integrated Humanities gives us the unique opportunity to look at changes in the world from varying human perspectives. We can relate it to economical aspects that then have vast social and cultural implications. Similarly, we could take a look at environmental changes and their impacts. We can ask questions about change being positive or negative whilst we consider what positive and negative is determined by. In other words, we can really evaluate the changes in the world, taking all these things into consideration, like in the the word cloud above, that are so different for everyone.

Key concept: Global Interactions

individualandsocieties — 2025-09-18 09:13:06 UTC

In life things rarely happen in isolation, on a personal level we often observe that the mood we are in or how we feel is not only dependent on ourselves but rather a mix of all the things we feel and the experiences that surround us. Similarly, in a globalized world, phenomenons of all sorts cannot be treated in isolation anymore. An example is shown in the image above, where it becomes evident that a lot of economical procedures these days are maybe more international than we think.

Key concept: Systems

individualandsocieties — 2025-09-18 09:13:06 UTC

As you will see from all of these posts: Everything is interconnected! And so are the different systems of the world. Trading systems touch upon environmental systems, money cycles impact systematic approaches of governments etc. It is crucial in Integrated Humanities that we engage with these systems to understand the world and human decision-making better.

Key concept: Time, place and space

individualandsocieties — 2025-09-18 09:13:06 UTC

The quote up there says a lot and at the same time says nothing at all which is also the beauty and the struggle with the concept of time, place and space. Obviously we will deal with the everchanging nature of places like cities and countries in Integrated Humanities, certainly as the subject is interlinked with History. However, within these places the phenomenon of change may differ, depending on which space we are looking into, for example female vs. male spaces. Well and time is fleeting and drags change on and on.

Concept: Perspective

individualandsocieties — 2025-09-18 09:13:06 UTC

What you see in the picture above is an optical illusion, you can see both a young and an old lady in the picture. And whilst optical illusions are not part of Integrated Humanities, our source material sometimes is like one. With the picture above it is often the case that some people only see the young one whilst others only teh the older one. This is quite symbolic for Integrated Humanities as source interpretation should not happen in isolation we need to discuss with with one another and hear everyone's perspective to make well-founded argument.

Concept: Identity

individualandsocieties — 2025-09-18 09:13:06 UTC

When you look at the image shown above on the right-hand side you see a variety of different identity markers. Identity markers are something we cannot change about ourselves but partially defines who we are nevertheless. It also at times determines how others view us, which may also be influenced by the intersections Kimberlé Crenshaw describes above. Hence, for Integrated Humanities identity plays a crucial role in understanding why some humans act the way to one another they do.

Concept: Culture

individualandsocieties — 2025-09-18 09:13:06 UTC

Culture can be described as a multi-layered beast and a coat of comfort at the same time. As you see from the graphic above, a lot of our daily life actions are influenced by culture, so it should be obvious that since Integrated Humanities is dealing with human interactions, it needs to understand that there are cultural particularities.

Related subject: Geography

individualandsocieties — 2025-09-18 09:13:06 UTC

If we want to talk about the world and learn more about the world, it is inevitable that we know about the world's make up. This does not only include knowing where which country is where (however, it is necessary, hence the quiz) but it also means understanding landscaping and resource distribution as well as human development. In Integrated Humanities we will touch upon all of this, so that you can speak about the world from varying perspectives.

Related subject: Politics

individualandsocieties — 2025-09-18 09:13:06 UTC

Similarly, to all other subject areas portrayed here, politics plays a big role in Integrated Humanities, as it is a rather important way of shaping human interaction. Take a look at the world cloud above and what all can be connected to politics and global politics in particular.

Related subject: World religions

individualandsocieties — 2025-09-18 09:13:06 UTC

Religion is very much intertwined with culture, it can be a perspective that is take and be a space in which people act. Hence, in Integrated Humanities an understanding of the different world religions is crucial to be able to analyze perspectives critically. Nevertheless, in Integrated Humanities we do not read the different holy texts or try to remember passages from them but rather we aim to understand how actions and thought processes might be influenced by religious affiliations and how they then impacted time, place and space and the world in general.

Related subject: History

individualandsocieties — 2025-09-18 09:13:06 UTC

Integrated Humanities teaches you about the elementary skills needed in historical research. You will learn about researching different kinds of sources that inform us about historical proceeding and will acquire the skill to analyze them critically from different perspectives. So in short the historical part of this subject is all about skill and critical thinking, rather than about memorizing vast amounts of knowledge. Of course, once in a while we should know the when and whereabouts of a specific event, but the crucial part, is being able to view it from different angles and critically evaluate other people's opinions on it. In the media section of this post, you find a little input about primary sources, which we will also deal with.