Humanities Institute

The Humanities Institute is made up of the Center for Ethnic Studies, the Center for Folklore Studies, the Center for Medieval & Renaissance Studies, the Center for the Study of Religion, the Melton Center for Jewish Studies, and the Humanities Collaboratory

Upcoming Events

A painting of a mushroom surrounded by two sillhouettes of faces
Sun, March 1 - Sun, March 29, 2026
Event Start Time: 6:00 pm
Event Location: Global Gallery Coffee Shop
Center for the Study of Religion, No More Than a Page
Mon, March 9, 2026
Movie poster for "Naked Lunch"
Wed, March 11, 2026
Event Start Time: 7:00 pm
Event Location: 180 Hagerty Hall
A person with a grey beard and glasses
Thu, March 12, 2026
Event Start Time: 9:15 am
Event Location: 18th Ave Library, Room 350

Recent News

Professor Paul Reitter Speaking

Former HI Director Paul Reitter Honored by MLA

By Nicholas Booker

The Modern Language Association of America today announced it is presenting its eighteenth Lois Roth Award for a translation of a literary work to Paul Reitter, who directed the Humanities Institute…

Humanities Institute MakerSpace

HI Makerspace: Spring Semester 2026

The Humanities Institute Makerspace is on the move! On select afternoons this term, 198 Hagerty Hall will be open for drop-in art-making OR the HI Makerspace will travel to new locations around the…

In Praise of the Arts and Humanities

By Ryan Skinner

Of griots and professors As a scholar, I have spent nearly three decades studying the art and social life of West African griots. Griots are storytellers, guardians of cultural memory (they are known…

Humanities on Tap

HI Launches "Humanities On Tap" Community Events

The Ohio State Humanities Institute has launched Humanities on Tap, a monthly series of community events that bring the humanities to life across Columbus. Each gathering offers an easygoing space to…

People Directory

South Asian Studies Initiative Working Group Leader; Assistant Professor, Department of Geography; Faculty Affiliate, Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Program Director, Latinx Studies; Professor and Gregory H. Williams Chair in Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, The Ohio State University College of Law
Ph.D. Candidate; Graduate Research Associate, Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Teaching and Learning; Graduate Research Associate, Center for Folklore Studies