Warren Wilson College has long fostered a deep commitment to understanding the human experience through the humanities, a mission now underscored by the release of a new video series from Crash Course, which was developed by Professor Jay Miller, Ph.D., the Public Humanities Department Chair at Warren Wilson, who served as the Subject Matter Expert for the series.
The PBS-funded Crash Course YouTube channel, one of the world’s leading platforms for free online education, released this week its latest 13-episode series on Political Theory. The series provides free and accessible content to a global audience of over 15 million subscribers, sparking conversations around essential political questions. The first episode—Where Did Democracy Come From, and Does It Still Work?—debuted November 11. Future episodes will cover topics such as Marxism, Anarchism, Just War Theory, Feminist Political Theory, Prison Politics, and “Do Good Leaders Need to Be Good People?”
Miller highlights the importance of this humanities perspective at a time when political discourse is so divisive: “The humanities have a crucial role to play in shaping and facilitating healthy public discourse, particularly at a time when it seems we are losing the capacity to engage with different perspectives. Or as one YouTube commenter on the series put it: ‘If there were ever a Crash Course that was so desperately needed, then this is it!!!!’”
Over the past year, Miller developed the course content for the series largely based on his Political Philosophy class at Warren Wilson. Working with scriptwriters, videographers, and animators at Crash Course, he brought his expertise and nuanced understanding to the project, translating complex ideas in political philosophy into an engaging, accessible format that can be appreciated by anyone.
Crash Course’s commitment to democratizing education aligns with Warren Wilson’s own goals, particularly as the College dedicates itself to building a vibrant public humanities program and emphasizing the relevance of the humanities to contemporary life. By making philosophy, literature, history, and other humanities disciplines more accessible, the College is committed to inviting diverse perspectives, encouraging approachable and meaningful dialogue, and fostering a richer understanding of the social issues that affect us all.
“The public humanities program at Warren Wilson is poised to offer new ways for students, faculty, and community members to explore these questions and contribute to this growing dialogue,” Miller said. “As Warren Wilson expands this initiative, it will continue to encourage open discourse, critical thinking, and an appreciation for the complexity of human society—values that are essential for nurturing informed, engaged citizens in an ever-evolving world.”
For more on the Political Theory series, you can watch the first episode on Crash Course’s YouTube channel.