Humanities programs at selected colleges are described, and the value of emphasizing subject matter in humanities programs is discussed in an article by Richard Ekman, "A Plea for Practical Idealism." The most effective programs encourage students to respect subject matter, engage important questions, and search for answers to the questions. The following college approaches are described: a value-centered curriculum involving seminars and faculty development, Saint Anselm College; the Western civilization program and multidisciplinary studies, Dominican College of San Rafael; promotion of interdisciplinary studies for faculty and students by the Humanities Council, New York University; and internationalizing the curriculum to integrate humanities perspectives, Johnson County Community College. Programs of additional colleges are described that concern: modern culture's roots, the origins of humanities, the impact of science on literature, the Renaissance, integrating Jewish and Western Studies, the history of Western Civilization, disciplinary views of human nature, integrative humanities approach for freshmen, promoting humanities with media sources, and the Spanish-speaking world. A 21-item annotated bibliography on resource publications is included. (SW)