The status of both philosophy and ancient history is being reviewed as part of a planned change in direction for Humanities, which the school’s head Professor Catharine Coleborne said would let students develop “transferable capabilities” valued by employers.

“Change is hard but the sector is changing. We’re part of that and we want to be at the forefront of it; we’re trying to do something that suggests our identity,” Professor Coleborne said.

“Students will have a greater engagement with industry and local organisations throughout their studies, which will help our graduates to achieve better employment outcomes.”

The restructure, which the university has put to staff, would absorb several Humanities disciplines into four clusters – History, Classical Studies and Critical Inquiry; Societies, Cultures and Human Services; Language, Writing and Digital Humanities; and Healthy Communities and Social Futures. 

It would leave the faculty with 4.5 fewer full-time equivalent positions than its present 72.5, Professor Coleborne said.

The staff cuts would be found in a “re-calibration” across Humanities and Social Science, Professor Coleborne said, amid a “proposed reduction” in philosophy and ancient history.

The faculty has surveyed 105 of the Hunter’s employers, the university said, and polled 95 current and prospective students about their education needs.