With the evolving job market and rise of new industries, students today are mostly inclined to opt for future subjects which align with their passion and skills in demand. After 10th and 12th, they have to make important decisions which impact their education. It is a time of variation from going for higher learning in core areas like science, commerce or arts and humanities to vocational based training or professional courses.
“Choosing Arts and Humanities is choosing to engage with life’s most profound questions, allowing us to explore what it means to be human."
Earlier choosing subjects were more influenced by societal expectations and limited awareness of alternate career paths. This led to choosing common conventional subjects like science for engineering and medical, overlooked creative fields and vocational courses were less emphasized.
The transition of opting subjects of arts and subjects in humanities in higher studies have consecutively increased from 10-20% in the 90s to more than 40% today. The earlier trend of choosing science subjects can now also be seen in choosing subjects in arts and humanities subjects among students. Major reason being its diverse career paths opportunities like from education and media to public policy and creative industries. Another reason being the value of personal fulfillment and prioritizing passion over traditional job security.
Aspect | Subjects in Arts | Subjects in Humanities |
Meaning | Refers to various forms of creative expression | It is academic study of human culture and society |
Focus | Creation and appreciation of visual and artistic expression | Understand human thought and emphasize critical thinking, analysis and interpretation |
Disciplines | Visual, performing and apple arts | History, philosophy, literature and anthropology |
Field | Subjects | Example |
Subjects in Arts | Fine arts | Drawing, painting, sculpture |
Performing arts | Music, dance, theater | |
Media studies | Film, photography, digital media | |
Literature | English literature, regional languages | |
Design | Graphic, fashion, interior | |
Subject in Humanities | History | Indian history, world history and contemporary history |
Geography | Physical geography, Human and economic geography, Environment | |
Political science | Polity and governance, International relations | |
Psychology | Developmental psychology, applied psychology, abnormal psychology | |
Sociology | Social issues, social justice, cultural sociology | |
Philosophy | ethics, metaphysics, epistemology | |
Interdisciplinary options in subjects of arts and humanities | Anthropology | Socio-cultural, archaeological, linguistic and biological anthropology |
Communication studies | Media studies, film studies, corporate communication | |
Journalism | Print journalism, newspaper editing and production |
As students approach the end of their 12th grade, they face one of the most significant decisions of their academic journey: the decision to take a certain course as a basis for further education. Those who opted for the subjects in Arts and subjects of Humanities field will find job offers particularly suitable for their preferences and goals here. Following are the popular undergraduate courses to pursue after 12th with the subject of arts and subject in humanities chosen in 11th:
Fields | Undergraduate Courses | Other courses |
Fine arts |
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Performing arts |
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Design |
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Media studies |
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Literature |
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History |
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Geography |
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Political science |
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Psychology |
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Sociology |
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Philosophy |
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Cultural studies |
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Anthropology |
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Journalism |
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Communication |
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There are many more courses and sub divisions of fields which can be pursued based on the interest, aptitude and personality in the field of Arts and Humanities and for clarity getting career counseling can make the process of getting insight becomes easier.
In conclusion, selecting subjects of Arts and subjects in Humanities is an open invitation to try out things that leap over your mind’s frame, compete with your ideas and can stimulate people with different viewpoints. Onwards, carry these subjects with you, as the skills allowed, and the insights fostered to make a path in which personal satisfaction and professional fulfillment reigns. Take this chance to be a student, develop yourself to the best you can be and be the difference in the world.