In honour of the University of Helsinki's 375th anniversary, the Faculty of Arts presents 375 humanists.  The individuals featured on the web pages provide a glimpse of the social and cultural impact of those working in the humanities as well as examples of their breadth of knowledge. The focus is on our current research and the work of alumni in various societal connections, but there’s a place for stars from our past, too.

On each day of the centenary year we will present one figure from the humanities, with several individuals representing a single theme making up for the extra years. The individuals have been chosen to illustrate as broadly as possible the societal impact of the humanities.

Here’s hoping the website gives you some interesting insights into the arts faculty!

 

WHERE IT ALL STARTED IN 1640

• 1640 School of Philosophy (Royal Academy of Turku, after 1808 the Imperial Academy of Turku)
• 1828 School of Philosophy (Imperial  Alexander University)
• 1852 Faculty of History and Language Sciences (Imperial Alexander University)
• 1863 Division for History and Language Sciences (Imperial Alexander University)
• 1919 Division for History and Language Sciences (University of Helsinki)
• 1992 Faculty of Arts (University of Helsinki)

The Faculty of Arts at the University of Helsinki is Finland’s oldest institute for teaching and research in the humanities. The faculty was established in 1640 as part of the Royal Academy of Turku. At that time, the Faculty of Philosophy formed the core of the University and completion of studies was a prerequisite for studies in the faculties of theology, law and medicine. The University moved from Turku to Helsinki in 1828, whence it was known as the Imperial Alexander University.

The Faculty of History and Language Sciences established in 1852 strengthened the scientific standing of the humanities. The Faculty of Arts has been operating within the University under its current name since 1992. Following the University reform of 2010, the sixteen departments and two institutes were reorganized as four large departments: the Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies; the Department of World Cultures; the Department of Modern Languages; and the Department of Finnish, Finno-Ugrian and Scandinavian Studies.

 

375 Humanists project steering group

Professor Hanna Snellman, acting Dean
Professor Riho Grünthal
Professor Markku Kuisma
Professor Lars-Folke Landgrén, Vice-dean, Head of Department
Professor Arto Mustajoki, Dean (currently on research leave)
Professor Liisa Tiittula
Päivi Karimäki-Suvanto, Head of Administration
Mika Federley, Web Designer
Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta, Coordinator (secretary, primary responsibility for implementing the website)

Production team
Responsibility for production: Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta
Involved in the production: Mika Federley, Kaija Hartikainen, Tero Juutilainen, Lauri Lönnström, Tiia Niemelä, Olli Siitonen, Tomas Sjöblom and Suvi Uotinen
Contact: hum-alumni@helsinki.fi