[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Menu Bar” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F7F7F5″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” sticky_position=”top” motion_trigger_start=”top” saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” background__sticky_enabled=”on|sticky” background_color__sticky=”#F3F3F1″ background_enable_color__sticky=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” max_width=”2560px” custom_padding=”1.25vw||1.25vw||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_menu menu_id=”130″ menu_style=”centered” active_link_color=”#313436″ dropdown_menu_bg_color=”#cba052″ dropdown_menu_line_color=”#d7d2cb” dropdown_menu_text_color=”#313436″ dropdown_menu_active_link_color=”#313436″ mobile_menu_bg_color=”#ffffff” mobile_menu_text_color=”#2f2f2f” menu_icon_color=”#25282a” mobile_menu_bg_color_tablet=”#ffffff” mobile_menu_bg_color_phone=”#ffffff” mobile_menu_bg_color_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” menu_font=”Oswald|500||on|||||” menu_text_color=”#313436″ menu_font_size=”1.3em” background_enable_color=”off” background_layout=”dark” menu_font_size_tablet=”2vw” menu_font_size_phone=”3vw” menu_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” mobile_menu_bg_color__sticky_enabled=”on|sticky” menu_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” menu_text_color__hover=”#711421″][\/et_pb_menu][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Article Title Section” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_color=”#EAE9E5″ background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”contain” background_position=”bottom_left” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”19px||0px||false|false” bottom_divider_height=”40px” bottom_divider_flip=”vertical” background_last_edited=”on|desktop” background_enable_image_tablet=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”100%” max_width=”1253px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”9px|2vw||2vw|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0.25vw|1vw|1vw|1vw|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|7vw||7vw|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Oswald|500||on|||||” text_text_color=”#862633″ text_font_size=”1.1em” link_font=”||||on|||#2f2f2f|” link_text_color=”#2f2f2f” background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” custom_margin=”||11px|||” custom_padding=”0px||5px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#d7d2cb” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
College\u00a0 |\u00a0 Long Read<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”65px” header_2_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_2_text_color=”#862633″ header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.1em” header_font_size_tablet=”8vw” header_font_size_phone=”8vw” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”6vw” header_2_font_size_phone=”8vw” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”align-items: flex-end;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9mZWF0dXJlZF9pbWFnZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7fX0=@” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” module_class=”rowFlexChild” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”src” _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Copy1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”63px||50px||false|false” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”824px” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”15px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n By Mark Gregorio\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0|\u00a0 Winter 2024<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”824px” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Does a humanities degree matter these days? That\u2019s been a burning question in the news and across the higher education landscape. At Ramapo College, faculty and students in the School of Humanities and Global Studies are challenging the perception that humanities are unimportant in life.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”824px” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2024\/03\/Hangen-Susan-3-11-2024-06_updated.jpg” alt=”Susan Hangen, dean of the School of Humanities and Global Studies, uses technology to enhance learning.” title_text=”Hangen-Susan-3-11-2024-06_updated” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”50px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Roboto Slab||||||||” text_text_color=”#545658″ text_font_size=”14px” text_line_height=”1.5em” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Susan Hangen, dean of the School of Humanities and Global Studies.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Susan Hangen, Ramapo\u2019s dean of the School of Humanities and Global Studies, noted that over the past 15 years, enrollment in the humanities has been on nationwide decline. However, she believes one reason is that there\u2019s a huge disconnect between what students think employers want and what employers consistently say they want. \u201cIf you are interested in a tech career and have the hard skills, you\u2019ll get your foot in the door,\u201d she added. \u201cHaving a humanities background, combined with data science, for example, provides opportunities for further professional growth.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”824px” custom_padding=”0px||23px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Humanities are a major part of Ramapo\u2019s DNA. The research performed by Spanish Professor Natalia Santamaria Laorden is one example of how the humanities connect to many different disciplines. Through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Santamaria Laorden\u2019s work expanded the college\u2019s Spanish curriculum and developed a certificate program on Spanish and healthcare. The language certificate not only led to the creation of new courses but also increased enrollment for the college\u2019s Spanish minor.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1000px” custom_padding=”2px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2024\/03\/Spanish-Health-10.12.18-14_web.jpg” alt=”Professor Santamaria Laorden with students” title_text=”Spanish Health 10.12.18 14_web” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”50px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Roboto Slab||||||||” text_text_color=”#545658″ text_font_size=”14px” text_line_height=”1.6em” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Santamaria Laorden’s certificate program provides healthcare professionals and students a foundation for working with Spanish-speaking patients.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”824px” custom_padding=”0px||23px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n According to a 2023 New York Times article, humanities and liberal arts majors are threatened at higher education institutions due to declining enrollments and the challenge of demonstrating economic value.\u00a0The long-term narrative is complicated, and while Hangen supports the media outlet\u2019s idea that liberal arts majors may start slow, she notes these majors gradually catch up to their peers in science and technology fields. For Hangen, curricular change is key to reigniting student interest in humanities majors. To restore a sense of balance, researchers and students at Ramapo are revising what humanities look like and pioneering interdisciplinary courses through technology.<\/p>\n Digital humanities are an emerging and exciting area for academics \u2013 when you think about medieval literature or ancient history, you don\u2019t necessarily think about data analysis or coding. Hangen pointed out that Ramapo\u2019s faculty are transforming the student experience by deploying digital tools to explore, analyze and communicate information through technology used in humanities.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Pull Quote1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f3f3f1″ collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2024\/03\/Susan-Hangen-with-student-duotone.png” alt=”Susan Hangen with RCNJ student” title_text=”Susan-Hangen-with-student-duotone” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Oswald||||||||” text_text_color=”#862633″ text_font_size=”35px” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_5_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_5_font_size=”21px” header_6_font=”Oswald||||||||” header_6_font_size=”15px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cEmployers are looking for skill sets found in the humanities. Skills such as critical thinking, ethical judgment and working effectively in teams.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Copy1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”63px||63px||false|false” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”824px” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#862633″ header_3_font_size=”28px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n One prominent project involves the mapping of the Ramapo Munsee Lenape nation. Ramapo College History Professor Sarah Koenig and her students are working to preserve North Jersey history by producing a digital map of historically and culturally significant sites for the Ramapough Lenape Nation in areas encompassing Bergen and Passaic counties and nearby Rockland County, N.Y.\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition to Koenig\u2019s path-breaking, community-based research, African American History Professor David Colman is also setting a new standard. His research involves digitally preserving community history in Englewood, N.J. Colman\u2019s project, \u201cEnglewood Makes History,\u201d is a collaboration between Englewood community organizations and Ramapo College. His investigation explores the vibrant history of Englewood, in particular, that of African-American residents in the 4th Ward and immigrant communities in the 3rd Ward.<\/p>\n As with all digital humanities projects, Koenig, Colman and their students aren\u2019t just cranking out research papers. They\u2019re making informed decisions while translating the subject matter into interactive displays, maps and digital timelines by using tools found in computer science. These projects are public-facing and will serve communities beyond the college.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1000px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2024\/03\/Digital-Humanities-4-3-23_04.jpg” alt=”Professor Sarah Koenig helping a student” title_text=”Professor Sarah Koenig” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”50px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Roboto Slab||||||||” text_text_color=”#545658″ text_font_size=”14px” text_line_height=”1.6em” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n History Professor, Sarah Koenig, is seen working with students on a community research project. Topics ranged from data analysis and digital mapping to preserving history.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”824px” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#862633″ header_3_font_size=”28px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Hangen explained the humanities are changing rapidly. Digital humanities offer students the chance to experiment, learn and reflect on how computational methods are implemented both in humanistic research and in their daily lives. Through research projects and digital course assignments, digital humanities provide students with experiences that make them highly marketable to companies.<\/p>\n \u201cOne thing that higher education leaders can do is better communicate the career potential of a humanities education,\u201d Hangen said. \u201cEmployers are looking for skill sets found in the humanities such as critical thinking, ethical judgment and working effectively in teams,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n Ramapo is experiencing a knowledge revolution where it is redefining its humanities curriculum and bringing research into the public spotlight. \u201cFor decades we have been communicating on paper and primarily to other scholars. Our faculty and students are developing new ways to generate and share information,\u201d Hangen said. \u201cA background in digital humanities from Ramapo has enormous value and builds a foundation that will serve our students well in a changing job market.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Back To Homepage Winter 2024″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”45deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”#f3f3f1 0%|#fcfffd 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”#f3f3f1″ background_color_gradient_end=”#fcfffd” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” top_divider_color=”#ffffff” top_divider_height=”86px” top_divider_arrangement=”above_content” top_divider_style_tablet=”” top_divider_style_phone=”” top_divider_style_last_edited=”on|phone” top_divider_height_tablet=”52px” top_divider_height_phone=”25px” top_divider_height_last_edited=”on|phone” border_color_all=”#2f2f2f” border_width_top=”1px” border_color_top=”#f3f3f1″ global_module=”4909″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”center_left” z_index=”349″ max_width=”1024px” custom_padding=”15px||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” text_text_color=”#862633″ text_font_size=”24px” link_text_color=”#25282a” transform_scale_linked__hover=”off” transform_translate_linked__hover=”off” custom_margin=”6px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” transform_styles__hover_enabled=”on|hover” transform_scale__hover_enabled=”on|hover” transform_translate__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” transform_rotate__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” transform_skew__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” transform_origin__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” transform_translate__hover=”-5px|0px” custom_css_after__hover_enabled=”on|hover” link_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” link_text_color__hover=”#c41e1e”]<\/p>\nImpacting Society.<\/h2>\n
The Benefits of a Humanities Education<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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\u2014 Susan Hangen<\/h5>\n