Republic of the Philippines

DR. EMILIO B. ESPINOSA, SR. MEMORIAL STATE COLLEGE

OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
(Masbate State College)
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
http://www.debesmscat.edu.ph
Cabitan, Mandaon, Masbate

MODULE 1: UNDERSTANDING THE FUNCTIONS OF HUMANITIES

TO THE LIFE OF HUMANS

I. Module Overview
This module serves as an overview of the course which aims to introduce humanities and its
importance in the life of humans.

II. Desired Learning Outcomes

At the end of this topic, the students should be able to:
1. Understand the concept of humanities
2. Identify and discuss the different branches of humanities

III. Take-Off/Motivation
In your own words, interpret the quotation below.
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”

IV. Content Focus

What is Humanities?
HUMANITIES is a required subject in college. Generally, it is a set of discipline that includes
grammar, philosophy, literature, history and music. The meaning differs to different people in
different ages.
As the word suggests, HUMANS are the center of humanities.
The term is derived from the Latin word humanus, which means
thinking, feeling, regrets, aspirations, failures, and what humans
are supposed to do and not do in this world.
In the world of the academe, all other subjects center on the
fulfillment of a person’s practical needs such as food, clothing,
shelter and others. Humanities are not concerned with these
things. ART that is the by-product of humanities looks at things
beyond matters. In arts, humans can find a simple relief from
the discomfort brought about by the world of so much
unfairness.

Why Study Humanities?

Why are College students required to take up Humanities?

The relevance of the subject to the course is the most usual question asked by students regarding
the inclusion of humanities in the curriculum. At first, the question sounds reasonable. It is true that

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the subject does not direct anyone to finding fortune. It does not teach anyone how to produce rice
and it does not tell you the steps to being practical. But as you open up yourself to the ideas of
Humanities, the question becomes a complete ignorance to the true meaning of life.

If this world is made up only of material things such as food, car, money, and others, then
the artists have no right to inhabit this planet. They can live somewhere in the limbo where
perhaps a decent being recognizes the reason of the artists’ existence.

Humanities is included in the curriculum because students need to be equipped with culture that is
necessary to complete their being. This is the culture that frees humans from sticking into the
madness of this world. A person is highly cultured if he/she could live happily beyond the things that
satisfy only the practicalities of life. Art is not concerned whether humans have fine dresses,
delicious food or money. Art is concerned with something that lives beyond matters. Students
should remember that Total Human Development as the meaning of education does not
mean to finish a degree, find a job or work abroad and gather wealth to a heap. Like the
artists, humans should labor beyond the value of money.

The Branches of Humanities

The humanities can be grouped into three general categories: fine arts, performing arts, and
practical arts.

1. FINE ARTS - creative art which products are to be appreciated primarily or solely for their
imaginative, aesthetic, or intellectual content.

A. Painting – a kind of art which has the main process of applying color or pigment to a
surface. There are different mediums and various types of painting.

B. Literature - a kind of art with written words as its medium.

2. PERFORMING ARTS - artists use their voices, bodies or inanimate objects to convey artistic
expression.

A. Dancing – it comes with

movements of feet, hands and
body in rhythm. Its aesthetic
element is seen on the unity and
harmony of movements.

B. Ballet – a stage performance of

narrating a story by combining
dance and music without a
dialogue.

C. Singing/Music – the art of putting

together the sounds in order. Its
mediums are either human voices
or instruments, or a combination of
two.

D. Movie – motion picture that blends

together the fundamental and vital
elements of music, painting, literature and music.
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 E. Theatre – another form of stage performance of a plan or drama with dialogue as its
basic medium.

3. PRACTICAL ARTS - an art that serves ordinary or materials and usually has a specific purpose.

A. Sculpture – refers to the breaking, and or piecing

together a hard stone or other shape-able materials to
represent something imagined or real. This is an art
presented in three dimensions.

B. Architecture – an art of designing and constructing a

building or other type of structure. Materials include
concrete, brick, wood, steel glass and plaster.
Each of the subsets will be discussed as we go along the
semester.
With the advancement of technology, other forms of arts also emerge. Some of these are
cinematography, graphic arts, photography and others, which are not mentioned in the above
groupings. There are also other forms of art which the committee on National Artists of the
Philippines considered. These forms include fashion and design, visual art, mural, and historical
literature.
V. Take Action
Create a slogan that speaks appreciation for ART.
VI. Self – Check
Answer the following question:
Why do you think is it required to take up Humanities in your chosen field of study?
VII. Self – Reflect
What do you think are the benefits that you will get from the subject Art Appreciation?

VIII. References

 Art Appreciation: Introduction to the Humanities by Claudio V. Tabotabo et. al., c2010

Compiled and Edited by:

JERRY G. ARNADO
COS

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