The Humanities in Action Initiative
Humanities—the study of literature, the arts, history and philosophy—is the cornerstone of a liberal arts education. Here at Dean, our humanities studies program builds on this tradition, while also applying the key principles of these subjects in ways that are meaningful for students’ career goals and civic mindedness. We connect the classroom to the world beyond through our Humanities in Action Initiative.
Dean students studying History, English, Global Studies or Pre-law practice public humanities in unique ways. As part of the Humanities in Action Initiative, students collaborate with both on-campus programs and community partners to create resume-worthy products such as digital magazines, museum exhibits or local history films. This work feeds into co-curricular activities like historic preservation, student-produced film screenings, and conference presentations throughout the region, as well as internships.
Mission Statement
Dean’s mission for the Humanities in Action Initiative is to build a distinctive identity for our students and faculty by applying public humanities methods; fostering civic-mindedness; and encouraging career preparation. The initiative is embedded throughout our curricular and co-curricular landscape and has a home base in applied humanities courses: Public History, Digital History, Copyediting, Digital Publishing, Mock Trial, and Advanced Writers Workshop.
Annual Projects
Each academic year, Humanities in Action faculty plan a variety of programs designed to immerse students in the study of humanities. This includes everything from guest lectures to faculty symposia to student excursions, which blend historical exploration with contemporary humanities studies. Throughout the year, students are encouraged to connect with noted professionals working in the humanities and to develop individual research projects, creative works, and civic engagement initiatives.
Recent student activities through the Humanities in Action Initiative have included:
- Attendance at the National Black-Pre-Law Conference at Harvard University
- Senior Student Capstone Projects focused on independent research in a wide range of disciplines within the Humanities
- Historic preservation partnership with the Franklin Historical Museum and the Franklin Cemetery Projects
- Student-produced short-film documentaries
- "Banned Book Week" panel
- Boston Book Festival excursion
- Publication and editorial work with Wrote, Unquote, Dean's student-run literary journal
- Presentation of student research at undergraduate research conferences such as the Macksey Symposium at Johns Hopkins University
- Literature of Baseball panel at the Franklin Senior Center
- Boston True Crime tour
- "Many Masculinities" panel
- "Sci-Fi Storytime" and other creative writing workshops
- Poetry Readings
- Franklin Historical Museum's Annual History Program Reception (providing networking opportunities with prominent area dignitaries)
Humanities Internships
At Dean College, all undergraduates are expected to complete an internship. Through the Humanities in Action Initiative, we have been able to connect our students to unique opportunities within their fields of interest, such as:
- Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, Bristol, RI
- National Archives, Washington, DC
- Franklin High School, Franklin, MA
- Franklin Historical Museum, Franklin, MA
- Local and National Congressional Offices
- Lockwood-Matthews Mansion, Norwalk, CT
- DACOR Bacon House, Washington DC
- New Bedford Department of Parks and Recreation, New Bedford, MA
- New England Journal of History, Franklin, MA
- Voice of America, Washington, DC
The New England Journal of History
Twice annually, the New England History Teachers Association (NEHTA) publishes the New England Journal of History, an academic journal with the mission of promoting scholarship of historical and educational significance. Since its founding in 1943, the Journal has been a vital part of historical scholarship and education in New England. The Journal is based at Dean College in Franklin, MA and is supported by the Humanities in Action Initiative. Professor R.A. Lawson serves as managing editor and Professor David Brandon Dennis serves as digital editor.
