UC Assistant Professor of Classics Florence Gaignerot-Driessen is studying ancient ceremonial figurines she found on Crete dating back more than 2,000 years. She's working with 3-D printing and ceramics at DAAP to build replicas.

Humanities

The humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences encompasses story, culture, ideas, language, interpretation, actual pasts and possible futures, and much else that touches upon ordinary human concerns.  Our students and alumni often remark upon the deep relevance of what they learn to their everyday lives.  While each of the seven humanities departments represents a unique set of academic interests, they all tap into collective curiosities about ourselves and others in order to inspire new ways of understanding, and improving, the world.   

Our award-winning faculty researchers, writers, and educators also provide students with essential skills – from the traditional to the cutting edge – for their lives after graduation.  Co-op opportunities likewise help students discover how to put their passions into practice in nearly any career.  Today’s humanities majors are tomorrow’s most thoughtful and innovative leaders. 

Latest News

1

How AI might help nonprofits

November 7, 2025

University of Cincinnati Professor Victoria LaPoe examined whether people respond differently to AI-created messaging in nonprofit advertising.

2

Shining like a disco ball: Rachel Hoermann’s story of finding passion and purpose at UC

November 6, 2025

Rachel Hoermann has dreamed of becoming a writer since childhood. But like many who grew up in Ohio’s rust belt, the idea of going to college felt out of reach. For years, she cycled through work that never quite satisfied her creative drive. That changed when she came across a box that once belonged to her father—a discovery that would alter the course of her life.

3

New hires reflect UC’s commitment to research, innovation and impact

November 6, 2025

With the 2025-26 school year in full swing, the College of Arts and Sciences has welcomed five faculty members to lead departments that span from chemistry to journalism. Dean James Mack said these new hires “reflect our unwavering commitment to ‘Discovery in Action,’ as we continue to enhance our academic and research excellence”. With these additions, the future of UC is in good hands, and students can look forward to new opportunities for learning, research, and innovation.

6

UC students create sustainability map of Clifton west campus

November 5, 2025

Students enrolled in an environmental inquiry course in UC's School of Environment and Sustainability set out to make campus more green. For years, the number of environmental features on campus has steadily increased, but many of these features have gone unnoticed. So students created a new campus map.


Humanities in the News

1

Sugar overload killing hearts

November 10, 2025

Two in five people will be told they have diabetes during their lifetime. And people who have diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease. One of the deadliest dangers? Diabetic cardiomyopathy. But groundbreaking University of Cincinnati research hopes to stop and even reverse the damage before it’s too late.

2

Is going nuclear the solution to Ohio’s energy costs?

November 10, 2025

The Ohio Capital Journal recently reported that as energy prices continue to climb, economists are weighing the benefits of going nuclear to curb costs. The publication dove into a Scioto Analysis survey of 18 economists to weigh the pros and cons of nuclear energy. One economist featured was Iryna Topolyan, PhD, professor of economics at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business.

3

App turns smartwatch into detector of structural heart disease

November 10, 2025

An app that uses an AI model to read a single-lead ECG from a smartwatch can detect structural heart disease, researchers reported at the 2025 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association. Although the technology requires further validation, researchers said it could help improve the identification of patients with heart failure, valvular conditions and left ventricular hypertrophy before they become symptomatic, which could improve the prognosis for people with these conditions.

4

Why the need for public schools

November 10, 2025

UC Law professor Joseph Tomain argues for continued government support for public schools in the online publication, The Conversation.

6

Nephrologists miss opportunities to discuss contraceptive use with women with chronic kidney disease

November 7, 2025

Discussions about contraceptive use for women with chronic kidney disease are often avoided by nephrologists, according to University of Cincinnati data presented this week at the American Society of Nephrology's Kidney Week global. meeting in Houston. Nephrologists reported that they see the importance of reproductive health but feel ill-equipped to discuss it with patients. Discomfort, limited training and confusing guidance were among the key barriers to discussions.