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
A person with grey hair surrounded by shapes and colors
Sat, March 28, 2026
Event Start Time: 10:00 am
Event Location: Sullivant Hall 141
A Levyosn (Leviathan) in front of a house with straw roof
Mon, March 30, 2026
Event Start Time: 12:45 pm
Event Location: Hagerty Hall, 1st floor Crane Cafe

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 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…

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…

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…

People Directory

Metaphors of Reception, Reception as Metaphor Working Group Leader; Associate Professor, Department of Classics
Director, Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies Director; Professor, Department of English
South Asian Studies Initiative Working Group Leader; Assistant Professor, Department of Geography; Faculty Affiliate, Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Director, Melton Center for Jewish Studies, Associate Professor, Department of Dance