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

James Dennis LoRusso
Tue, February 17, 2026
a graphic drawing of Cartoon people having lunch at a counter
Wed, February 18, 2026
Movie poster for The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension
Wed, February 18, 2026
Event Start Time: 7:00 pm
Event Location: 180 Hagerty Hall
Aerial shot of a land mass
Fri, February 27, 2026
Event Start Time: 9:00 am
Event Location: TBD, OSU Campus

Recent News

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…

Center for Ethnic Studies Asian American Studies Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization

Asian American Studies Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization Launched for Spring 2026

The Center for Ethnic Studies now offers a graduate interdisciplinary specialization (GIS) in Asian American Studies (AAS). This specialization provides an opportunity for interdisciplinary research…

People Directory

Metaphors of Reception, Reception as Metaphor Working Group Leader, Assistant Professor, Department of Classics
Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Teaching and Learning; Graduate Research Associate, Center for Folklore Studies
Director, Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies Director; Professor, Department of English
Director, Center for Ethnic Studies; Associate Professor, Department of History of Art