Throughout the economic downturn of the aughts, graduating high school seniors were pestered with questions about the functionality and practicality of their potential areas of study. A response of "Classical Literature" or "Art History" would quickly bring sharp remarks from family members. To this day students are told again and again that the humanities are an unwise area of study. "Please for the love of Uncle Jim consider a STEM degree" a well meaning grandmother might say. Yet while the Great Recession challenged the humanities community, humanistic study in academia has survived. So in light of these concerns about the longevity of the humanities and the functionality of such study, we've compiled a list of some of our favorite articles pertaining to the survival of the humanities and their value.

Looking Backward: How the Humanities Survived the Great Crash of 2009 by Angela Sorby

The Humanities' Value by Geoffrey Galt Harpham

In Tough Times, the Humanities Must Justify Their Worth by Patricia Cohen

Why We Need the Humanities, Newsweek