Here's why it's considered plural:
* Multiple Disciplines: The Humanities encompasses a variety of fields, making it a collective noun representing many separate entities.
* No Singular Equivalent: There isn't a singular word for "the Humanities." We can't say "the Humanity" to refer to a single discipline.
* Grammatical Usage: You would use a plural verb with "The Humanities." For example: "The Humanities are essential for a well-rounded education."
So, even though "The Humanities" appears to be a singular phrase due to the "the", it functions grammatically as a plural noun.