The Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences

The Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences[1] was convened in 2010[2][why?] by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at the request of Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee) and Mark Warner (D-Virginia) and Representatives Tom Petri (R-Wisconsin) and David Price (D-North Carolina).[3][2]

On June 19, 2013,[4][5][6] the Commission issued its initial report The Heart of the Matter,[7] along with a companion film[8] created by brothers Christopher and Erik Ewers, both long-time Ken Burns collaborators.[9] The short film features interviews with Burns, George Lucas, Sandra Day O'Connor, John Lithgow, and Yo-Yo Ma.[10]

The commission was chaired by Richard H. Brodhead, president of Duke University, and John W. Rowe, retired chairman and chief executive officer of Exelon Corporation. Other Commission members included university, college, and community college presidents, museum directors, public servants, corporate executives, humanists, social scientists, and artists.[11]

The Commission’s report received wide press coverage[12] and statements of support from 15 national and state organizations.[13]

References

  1. ^ American Academy Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences.
  2. ^ a b Heart of the Matter, pp. 6, 63-66.
  3. ^ Bui, Lynh (2023-05-18). "Report: Humanities, social science education needed along with STEM". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  4. ^ Launch Event - June 19, 2013 on Vimeo
  5. ^ The Chronicle of Higher Education, "Humanities and Social Sciences Are Central to National Goals, Report Argues"
  6. ^ New York Times, "Humanities Committee Sounds an Alarm".
  7. ^ Brooks, David (June 20, 2013). "The Humanist Vocation". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  8. ^ The Heart of the Matter on Vimeo
  9. ^ Fox, MeiMei. "Ken Burns And Ewers Brothers Spotlight Youth Mental Illness In New Documentary". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  10. ^ Ewers, Christopher Loren; Ewers, Erik (2012-06-19), The American Academy of Arts and Sciences: The Heart of the Matter (Short, News), Ken Burns, John Lithgow, George Lucas, Ewers Brothers Productions, retrieved 2024-01-08
  11. ^ Members of the Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences.
  12. ^ Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences in the News.
  13. ^ Statements of Support for the Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences.


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