quick grammar question about word 'humanities'

[SharpieMarker]

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humanities is plural, but is it also commonly used as a singular word?

i.e.

can i say:
i majored in a humanities?
i majored in the humanities?
i majored in a humanity?

which is correct?
thanks!

 

[surfstarj]

I would say "I majored in [English/Lit/history/etc.] before I'd say something vague like "I majored in the humanities."

 

[chickenlittle84]

I would say "I majored in [English/Lit/history/etc.] before I'd say something vague like "I majored in the humanities."

It would be "the," but I agree with surfstarj, it would be better to be more specific in this context...

 

[mindquick]

"i majored in the humanities"

sheesh guys, it's a grammar question you're not supposed to change the meaning of what he is trying to communicate.

 

[Femme Fatale]

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[SharpieMarker]

thanks folks. i wanted to make a point that i didn't major in the sciences, hence me using the general term humanities, so the contrast is clear.

but still think it's better to be specific?

 

[montessori2md]

1) Better to be specific
2) Grammar: "I am a humanities major"
"I majored in the humanities"
"My areas of study fell primarily within the college of humanities/department of humanities" (depends on the terminology at your university).

IMHO specific is always better, it makes you less boring, and makes it easier for an interviewer to imagine what you are like, and questions to ask (so, you were an English major, what sort of literature do you like to read?) where they will learn something about you as a person.

 

[Femme Fatale]

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[emaj1n]

If your degree does/will read "Humanities," then you "majored in humanities."

If you majored in English, philosophy, or anything else with practical value to your sense of self (notice my bias here; I majored in English), then you "majored in the humanities."

BTW: Congratulations. Once you get here, you'll be glad you spent four years doing something 1) you enjoyed, and 2) different then the rest of the science drones.

Oh, and forget the rest of the people who are saying you're "too vague." Adcoms will have your primary application and transcript. Stick to your original intent. If "majored in the humanities" gets your idea across the best, then stick to your guns. It's amazing how closely we all look at these things (purposely vague), as if adcoms sit around with a fat, red Sharpie, just waiting to "X" our grammar.

 

[Femme Fatale]

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[TRAMD]

Oh the humanities!

 

[Quix]

Oh the humanities!

Okay, that pun really hurt.