While several universities are reducing their humanities course offerings—concerning data from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences indicating a 14.1% recent dip in humanities degrees—it’s interesting to observe how Atlanta’s Emory University, including its law school, is bucking this trend by increasing investments in the liberal arts. According to a recent article in Daily Report, for those seeking a successful career in trial law, this is welcome news.
The essence of quality trial work lies in narrative craft and persuasion within the bounds of evidence rules and generally accepted rationale. Adept use of storytelling in the courtroom necessitates a firm command over language and a deep understanding of moral nuances—skills that a foundation in humanities can imbue. The belief is that both practicing and prospective trial lawyers will benefit from letting humanities ventilate their minds, helping them attain a rich, profound understanding of the diverse facets of human experience, and honing their storytelling prowess in the process.