The title of this workshop is based on Nao Matsukata’s December 2023 New York Times op-ed, “How Studying the Humanities Helps Humanity,” in which Matsukata argued, “In a time of immense technological change, war, and political division, nothing is more important than having the intellectual confidence to challenge what you see, hear, and read with thoughtful questions. A liberal arts education offers young students the opportunity to develop their intellectual confidence.”

Too often, students are taught to think that skills solve problems, but Prof. Grossman has reflected on how to position her teaching against a problem-solving approach, insisting to students that asking the right question is far more important. These reflections are also informed by her work as a curator of cultural programs and archival-based exhibitions. This workshop will explore these reflections and invite participants to discuss learning strategies for engaging students in professional education programs such as Architecture in the Humanities.

All graduate students are welcome. This event grows out of concerns in the Architecture department, and so may be most useful to students in related fields.

Counts toward the CETLI Teaching Certificate.