Humanities Minutes

Series produced by Victoria Davis

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Short, focused pieces on all things having to do with the humanities, including philosophy, literature, history, and education. These pieces are written for the Humanities Media Project by graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin.

Ever wondered where your mind ends and the world begins? Ever questioned the idea of morality or tried to challenge a widely held assumption? Listen up! We're making the same kinds of queries here, from a variety of perspectives within the humanities--literary, philosophical, historical, and cultural.

This series offers episodes on all things relevant to the humanities, from philosophical quandaries to pop cultural musings and beyond. Each piece is written by a graduate student at The University of Texas at Austin and produced on campus in the College of Liberal Arts.


116 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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In this episode of Humanities Minutes, we explore a timely question, given the recent accusations of sexual misconduct throughout Hollywood and bey...

  • Added: Jan 17, 2018
  • Length: 03:55
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Today's episode explores the gold standard and the history of fiat currency in the United States.

  • Added: Jan 03, 2018
  • Length: 04:40
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Today's episode asks why the Greek word "eureka" is so commonly associated with gold.

  • Added: Dec 06, 2017
  • Length: 04:17
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This episode will question who is responsible for the content of presidential elections.

Bought by KFOI Radio


  • Added: Aug 30, 2017
  • Length: 05:03
  • Purchases: 1
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Today’s episode of Humanities Minutes, part two of two, discusses the global crisis of the World’s unbanked and new technologies that might make ba...

  • Added: Aug 16, 2017
  • Length: 04:52
Caption: The Moneylender and his Wife, Quentin Matsys, 1514
Today’s episode of Humanities Minutes, part one of two, considers the rise of modern banking and the global crisis of the world’s unbanked.

  • Added: Aug 02, 2017
  • Length: 04:39
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This episode will explore what happens when we anthropomorphize animals.

Bought by 'The Sea'


  • Added: Jul 19, 2017
  • Length: 05:46
  • Purchases: 1
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This episode will explore the quarrels of two modernist writers.

  • Added: Jul 12, 2017
  • Length: 04:05
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This episode explores Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.

  • Added: Jun 21, 2017
  • Length: 04:21
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In this episode, we'll look at the politics of presidents and pets.

  • Added: May 10, 2017
  • Length: 04:36
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This episode discusses the potential of a major earthquake in the Pacific Northwest and its implications for the United States.

  • Added: Apr 28, 2017
  • Length: 05:24
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This episode will explore the literary tradition of writing back.

  • Added: Apr 14, 2017
  • Length: 04:52
Caption: Pile of American bison skulls to be ground into fertilizer, mid-1870s
In this episode, we’ll look at how our relationship with animals helped to shape American identity.

  • Added: Apr 07, 2017
  • Length: 04:51
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This episode will explore who can own an idea.

  • Added: Mar 15, 2017
  • Length: 04:23
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This episode looks at the strange history of keeping live whales in captivity.

  • Added: Mar 08, 2017
  • Length: 05:02
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This episode will explore the power of rhetoric.

  • Added: Nov 16, 2016
  • Length: 03:30
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This episode will explore the role of brevity in society today.

Bought by KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio


  • Added: Oct 05, 2016
  • Length: 04:47
  • Purchases: 1
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This episode explores the political and ethnic unrest in Burundi.

Bought by KFOI Radio


  • Added: Sep 28, 2016
  • Length: 05:16
  • Purchases: 1
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This episode will have you questioning where your mind ends and your smart phone begins.

Bought by KFOI Radio, PRX Remix, and KCMJ Community Radio


  • Added: Feb 18, 2015
  • Length: 03:23
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: The Alamo, San Antonio, TX USA
This episode could change how you remember the Alamo.

Bought by KFOI Radio and KCMJ Community Radio


  • Added: Feb 18, 2015
  • Length: 02:44
  • Purchases: 2