The Faculty of Arts wants to change its name to the Faculty of Humanities. The board says it’s a better reflection of what the faculty has to offer than the classic term ‘arts’.
Dean Thony Visser announced the decision during the New Year’s gathering Letteren Live. The name change is set to take effect on September 1 of this year, pending approval from the board of directors and the university council.
In addition to classical literature programmes, the faculty also houses studies such as international relations and international organisation (IRIO) and media studies, the faculty board explained. Therefore, ‘arts’ no longer adequately covers the range of programmes on offer.
‘Within our faculty, we have a wide variety of research areas and expertise. The new name helps to better highlight this diversity and is, therefore, more inclusive’, said Visser.
Confusion
Another factor is the potential for international confusion between the Dutch word ‘letteren’ and the English ‘arts’; they are not direct translations of each other. Institutes, companies, and other faculties might associate ‘arts’ with fine arts and arts academies, Visser added.
The universities of Utrecht, Leiden, and Amsterdam already use the term ‘humanities’. It’s also very common in English-speaking countries, according to the faculty.
Disadvantages
Visser acknowledges that there are disadvantages to a name change. The Faculty of Arts has a long history, and ‘some alumni or advocates may feel that changing the name would be a loss of historical context’. Nevertheless, she says the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Changing the faculty name involves more than just updating the letters on the front of the building. The name must also be adjusted in computer systems, on diplomas, in regulations, and on all web pages.
A working group will be responsible for the change, drawing on the guidelines of the Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society, which changed its name from Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies last year.