Understanding complex theories in the Humanities | Essay Tips

Often it would be easier to have complex theories simply explained to us. But we don't always have that choice. In this episode of Essay Tips I elaborate on some methods for understanding complex theory and theories in the Humanities.

Particularly, I draw upon some tried and tested methods for understanding difficult concepts that I've used in order to help you unpick tough bits of academic literature.

[Tom_Nicholas]

Have you got any tips for understanding tough bits of theory? If so, do feel free to add to the conversation!

[lilmissmalone]

Thank God! A humanities PhD student on YouTube! 😭❤️❤️❤️ #MyTribe

[palmo]

Undergrad is great, I read someone else's interpretation of Foucault, I get 55%, I spend the rest of my life telling other people to read Foucault

[jesusguevara]

Hey!, me, as an anthropology student really needed a PhD in humanities student, your videos are incredibly amazing, don’t stop making them

[gus]

Hey, greetings from Brazil!! I'm about to start studying literature/linguistics at college, and this video - and all the others of your channel - have been very helpful for me. Thankss!!

[mikeymacaque]

Sorry for spamming, but I just found your channel tonight and I think you provide amazing tips for people in the humanities. I have an entire section on my bookshelf dedicated to the little Oxford Short Introduction Books! I have also found that reading textbooks meant for advanced undergraduates alongside original texts helps me feel more confident in understanding a piece. I'm a Performance Studies PhD student, and it wasn't until I read a Performance Studies textbook meant for undergrads that I truly began to understand Victor Turner, for instance. Your channel is the content that I've been yearning for on YouTube, and I can't wait to assign your work in a class some day!

[brahimilyes]

The most helpful youtuber I found in this regard 👏👏
Keep up the good work, lad.

[SparkFromWithin]

I thought there was some equivalent of Complex Systems in the humanities and it was called Complex Theories and that is what this video was about, but despite not being what I expected it was enjoyable and useful. Thanks.

[ideaaddict]

No. 1: Don't assume it is as complex as the words used to describe it. Try and convert it to simple words.
No. 2: Check to see if the author borrows terms from other fields which aren't used correctly.
No. 3: Reproduce the theory as an argument with premises and a conclusion.
If you cannot do 1, 2 or 3, you may be reading something from a different field.

[Gravelsis]

Tom, you are incredible eloquent. Love to listen to your sessions.

[BoredCat]

Thank you!! More essay tips please. I’m an undergraduate. Can you explain the levels of academia; what is the difference between undergraduate, masters student, doctorate and phd. What is an assistant teacher, do they become professors after certain period of time? What’s the hierarchy and what is the process of becoming a Professor Doctor?

[SharloNoir]

Hey Tom, really likiing your videos! The way you speak is full of energy, its motivating! and a good way of explaining! In the beginning you mentioned that graphic introduction book to aesthetics. do you remember the title of this book? I study art, so Im very interested, as I never seem to have gotten a grip of it all! id be so very glad !

[taylorlerman]

thank you so much for all the tips & info you provide us with! Keep up the amazing work!

[michaelatashjian]

Wow, thank you so much, Tom! I have been referring to the Introducing Semiotics and Introducing Linguistics graphic guides while sweating over my reading assignments. I feel encouraged and reassured after watching this helpful video.

[ahlem]

Hey, your explanation is quite useful. Thank you very much. I am a PhD student in humanities as well and I am currently working on gender theory. I would be delighted to hear from you concerning this subject matter
Best of luck

[merylwong]

Can you tell me the name of the book that you mentioned in this video, which is about aesthetics? Thanks a lot~~

[joshbogdanowicz]

Drop the link to the aesthetic picture book, Tom. Please:)

[Spideysenses]

What was this introduction to aesthetics book that was very cartoony? Sounds like exactly the kind of thing I need.

[heedrinaadeka]

Hello. Can you pls provide the name of that book on aesthetics with the graphics? it sounds super helpful. if possible, could you also give me the publisher's name (eg. Oxford or Cambridge short introductions) which produces introductory texts with graphics to simplify concepts?

[Faraaz]

Hi there. Can you make a video on how to paraphrase an article?