Conference Title: Public Humanities Conference (7th Annual)

Session/Panel: The Public Good

Talk Title: What are the Humanities For?

Speakers: Rebecca Blank, Christopher Newfield, Doris Sommer

University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for the Humanities annual Public Humanities Conference demonstrates that the humanities have never been strictly confined to classrooms. The conference gathers scholars, community partners, and students at and around UW-Madison for a day that is dedicated to discussing the importance of literary, visual, and cultural engagement to the practice of public life. Drawing on the principles of the Wisconsin Idea, this conference seeks to promote public engagement as integral to higher education. Each year, we feature a keynote speaker who provides new ways to reconfigure the boundaries of the university and the public.