The conditions of the humanities in institutions of higher learning seem to be dire and critical. Why is this so? What has happened? And why do we keep talking about a "crisis" in or of the humanities. And what in the world does the beloved author, Jane Austen, have to do with any of this. Michael Kramp, professor of English at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, considers these questions and many with numerous guests, including Dr. Stephanie Shonekan, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at the University of Maryland, Dr. Robert Newman, former President at the National Humanities Center, Dr. Robert Townsend of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Heather Hewett, former Program Officer at the American Council of Learned Societies. You can learn more about Michael and his project on his website.

Two of the universal truths of the past fifty years are the enduring popularity of Jane Austen and the persistent refrain of a "crisis of the humanities." In this preview episode, Prof. Michael Kramp (dmk209@lehigh.edu) discusses how the popularity, versatility, and malleable authority of Austen can serve as a valuable tool for discussing the importance of the humanities with diverse public audiences. This preview episode points to a new podcast that will correspond with the 250th anniversary of Austen's birth in 2025.