26 April 2012

'Should Humanities be taught at University?' - Dundee Arts Cafe event on 1st May

Should non-vocational Humanities subjects still be taught at University when higher education funding is coming under increasing pressure?

That's the question that will be asked when the University of Dundee's Professor Nicholas Davey delivers a thought-provoking talk at the next Dundee Arts Cafe event.

Taking place at The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum at 6pm on Tuesday, 1st May, 'Should Humanities be taught at University?' will see Professor Davey examine how the proud Humanities tradition in British Universities is facing a serious challenge with regard to its relevance and financial viability within contemporary society.

"In these straightened economic times, there is a debate about the nature, purpose and very future of Humanities teaching and research at universities," he said. "It is vital that we look critically at how the Humanities have become so badly misunderstood and what might be done to remedy this."

Dundee Arts Cafe is a programme of talks showcasing arts research and developments taking place locally. The series is organised by the Universities of Dundee and Abertay, and Dundee City Council's Leisure & Culture department.

Dundee Arts Cafe events enable members of the public to relax and discuss the arts, from English to History, Philosophy to Architecture, and Fine Art to Product Design, with some of the leading names carrying out work in these areas in Dundee.

The events last one hour, and speakers talk passionately about their work for 30 minutes before the floor is opened up to an informal discussion with the audience. All talks take place in The McManus Cafe, Albert Square, Dundee.

'Should Humanities be taught at University?' takes place at 6pm on Tuesday, 1st May. The event is free, and open to all. Limited seating means visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

For more information about the event and Dundee Arts Cafe please visit www.DundeeArtsCafe.co.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277