The traditional humanities disciplines -- classics, literature, history, philosophy, religion, and visual and performing art history -- were core disciplines in the first university in western civilization, Plato's Academy. Since that time the humanities have remained core disciplines in all higher education while other areas of study have had changing significance in the university. The continuing presence of humanities scholarship is rooted in the pleasure one gets from learning -- in this case from "gathering the meaning" of what it is to be human beings. The humanities raise questions in order to help us clearly understand in the broadest sense -- our roots, our present situation, and the options available to us. The humanities expand familiarity with cultural tradition and change; they encourage the development of critical thinking, effective expression of ideas and emotions, and informed responses to current issues and problems.