The Humanities Fellowship
Examine and engage the human world from a multitude of perspectives
Do you find yourself asking the big questions? Are you looking to delve into an aspect of life you’re passionate about and transform it into a career? At Moravian University, we invite you to apply to our Humanities Fellowship, where you will expand your horizons with like-minded students and learn how exploring the humanities can have an impact not only in your career, but in your life.
You don’t have to declare a humanities-focused major to participate–we welcome anyone with an excitement for the humanities, including first-year students with undeclared majors. We invite students with interests in business, teaching, healthcare, environmental studies, art and music, mathematics, etc., to also consider adding a humanities focus to their studies. This fellowship’s purpose is to expand your worldview and enhance your ability to think critically and creatively about a variety of topics. If this applies to you, please consider applying for the Humanities Fellowship!
Here at Moravian, we strive for our students to obtain a well-rounded education. Our Humanities Fellowship supports this goal and the interests of our students, as our advisors guide students in bridging the gap between vocation and career.
What are the Humanities?
The humanities encourage the study of a diversity of people, places, and societies throughout history to the present day, connecting us with others to discover answers about what is ethical and true. English literature, the arts, law, philosophy, global religious studies, and history are some of the most common areas of study. But in addition to focusing on content knowledge in these fields, study in the humanities also provides you with the opportunity to develop skills, such as effective teamwork, critical thinking, research, analysis, and writing for many different audiences, that can build your foundation for any academic or professional field.
Studies of current labor trends clearly show that more employers are seeking evidence of a candidate’s ability to solve problems, work as a team, and develop strong communication skills. Because the Humanities excel in the development of these essential abilities, HF students will be better equipped to pursue a broader range of full-time employment opportunities after graduation.
Why Participate?
Fellows receive special advising, participate in specialized HF-designed courses, create educational “maps” that help them to bridge classes with career development, and serve as part of a cohort of up to 12 students who will collaborate in unique projects, courses, travel experiences, service learning, and activism.
Fellows are also supported in discerning, planning, and implementing the process of moving from their four-year education to employment/graduate school or other post-college options–as there are vast opportunities, many of which are not immediately obvious, for a graduate with a background in humanities.
Fellowship Requirements
Humanities Fellows must meet the following standards to remain in the program after acceptance:
- Successful participation in the fall and spring humanities seminars and in the HF professional development seminar
- Good academic standing in a humanities program
- Dedicated participation in all Fellowship activities and requirements
- Demonstrated commitment to the idea/mission of the engaged humanities
Scholarship
Through the Humanities Fellowship, students can be awarded up to an additional $5,000 on top of their merit scholarship. Factors to be considered will be the applicant’s academic background, presentation, demonstrated interest, and financial need.
How to Apply
We’re excited to learn more about your interest in and passion for the humanities! Your submission will show your passion for one or more of the humanities (English and Writing Arts, Global Religions, History, Modern Languages, Philosophy); and/or additional multidisciplinary programs with strong anchors in the humanities (Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Peace and Justice Studies, Africana Studies, Medieval Studies). Remember that you may align one of the areas above with other interests, such as business, teaching, healthcare, environmental studies, art and music, mathematics, etc.
Here are the steps you should take to apply:
- Choose a question or issue of concern to you, your community, and/or the world. (Think about local/global issues we all face, such as sustainability and climate change, poverty, inequality and racial justice, health and healthcare, war and peacebuilding.)
- Choose a creative medium:
- An essay, poem(s), other work of writing you have composed
- A short film (or selection from a longer film) you have created
- A Powerpoint or Prezzi that showcases your advocacy, exploration, or service
- A podcast, blog, or other form of communication that shows how you are mobilizing passion in the humanities with concern, advocacy, and action
- Make up your own format—we’re open!
- Create a project that covers your question/concern and showcases your passion for study in one or more of the humanities that would allow you to explore your concern more deeply. Please feel free to draw on academic work, creative work, and/or efforts you have expended in your community.
- Fill out the application and attach your submission.
If selected, you’ll be asked to prepare a 15-minute presentation to make to a small group of Moravian humanities faculty and students. You’ll receive more information about this part later!
Nominations from Counselors, Teachers, and Community Leaders
Secondary school counselors, teachers, and community leaders are welcome and encouraged to nominate high school seniors who they believe will be a good fit for HF. Students who have already begun their freshman year at Moravian University may apply or be nominated by faculty or advisors to join the HF in their sophomore year.
Please complete the HF Nomination Form. The nominee will receive an email notification with instructions on how to submit their application. Questions should be directed to Kaylee Lagler, admissions counselor, at laglerk@moravian.edu or 610-625-7854.
Student Profiles
Liz Kameen
Major: English and Political Science
Original Fellow Project: My original application to the Humanities Fellowship was an editorial article explaining how the death penalty was founded upon inhumane and racist practices.
Emma Ferraro
Major: Historical Studies and Secondary Education
Original Fellow Project: My original project for the Humanities Fellowship was a website detailing my commitment and passion towards telling the true, diverse nature of history. It also highlighted the unfortunate book and curriculum bans we are seeing currently in U.S. public schools.
Brianna Whalen
Major: Spanish and Biology
Original Fellow Project: In order to join the fellowship, I wrote a personal essay about the relationship between wealth inequality and environmentalism in my hometown.
Brooke Gormley
Major: English and Political Science
Original Fellow Project: Why I Joined the Fellowship: As someone who took a gap year, I was worried about coming to school as a much older Freshman. I thought I would struggle to make friends and find a like-minded community. The Fellowship seemed like the perfect place to discover that. While I did not end up having nearly as many issues as I had worried I would, I have found some of my closest friends in the Fellowship.
Nathan Pynchon
Major: Historical Studies
Original Fellow Project: My application project “Misinformation or Missed Information” is an argumentative research paper analyzing the dynamic between the personalization of information and our democracy as a whole. In my paper, I point to the rise of personalized media—through both partisan cable networks and social media feeds—as a contributor to the strong political polarization that we face today. In discussing potential solutions, I advocate for returning the Fairness Doctrine, a FCC policy requiring broadcasters to show multiple viewpoints in their reports. I also explore the possibility of introducing an industry-lead ratings system to differentiate between news broadcasts and entertainment. Communication, and its interactions with our society throughout history, continue to be a topic of great interest to me. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to discover this interest through this paper!
Fatimah Bouri
Major: English Writing Arts and History
Original Fellow Project: Why I Joined the Fellowship: I joined the Fellowship at the recommendation of Dr. Black and was really looking forward to meeting those also interested in the sanctity of the Humanities. My project was a poem on generational trauma and I used some personal details to illustrate the way people of color must deal with the aftermath of generational trauma passed down from our suffering ancestors.
Contact
For more information, contact Kelly Denton-Borhaug, Professor, Global Religions or John Black, Professor and Chair of the English Department & Co-Director of Medieval Studies.