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Benefits of a Liberal Arts degree
Liberal arts education why is it important
The importance of liberal arts in higher education
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The liberal arts are becoming increasingly rare in schools and universities. However, Saint Catherine University makes it a priority to teach its students the core benefits to the liberal arts college. It requires students to take the course “The Reflective Woman” along with “Global Search for Justice” as an introduction and conclusion to a liberal arts education. Throughout this semester I became more knowledgeable on what the liberal arts truly are, honed my reflective judgment, developed my writing skills, and I now have a deeper and defined sense of self. Centuries ago during the Renaissance especially, learning the liberal arts were extremely important and deeply rooted in the education system. St. Kate’s requires its students to take courses in that are in the “humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and formal sciences” departments in order to receive a degree. My TRW class allowed me to be given the feel of English, Theology, History, and Theater classes and expand my knowledge of the four. If a college were to only have students take the courses needed for their desired major, they would miss the opportunities to broaden their horizons. This curriculum fueled my brain to think more critically and never settle for less. I became close to those in my small discussion …show more content…
This course is writing intensive; composing reflections, essays, and revisions to improve writing were all touched upon. My favorite piece of work is my short reflection on the Hazel Carby performance. She was remarkably fascinating to watch whether it was her medium of presentation or the messages she gave to the audience. This is probably the only piece, besides my reflection on Adichie or Colleen Carpenter: Ecology and Theology, where my personal views are shown. Her performance was confusing, but being able to gather the essential segments and construct a reflection best illustrates my skill in
In the article “The New Liberal Arts,” Sanford J. Ungar presents the argument of why liberal arts schools are still competitive and useful today. The beginning of the article immediately addresses the problem that Ungar is defending, “Hard economic times inevitably bring scrutiny of all accepted ideals and institutions, and this time around liberal-arts education has been especially hit hard.” The author provides credibility through his time of being a liberal arts presidents, applies statistics about the enrollment and job security outside of liberal college, he addresses the cost factor and how a student may find compensation, and that a liberal arts college is not preparing students for success. The article “The New Liberal Arts,” addresses
In the past several years, there has been a growing trend in the number of college-bound individuals getting two-year degrees from community colleges or earning certification for their desired career field at vocational schools. Such schools certainly seem to have some valuable qualities: all boast of having lower costs than other colleges, of their absence of student loans, of allowing people to make more money quicker, of being narrowly focused so students don’t have to take classes they don’t need. They attempt to point out apparent weaknesses in liberal arts colleges as well, claiming that such an education is unnecessary in today’s world. However, for every reason to go to a community or two-year college, a vocational track, or an apprenticeship, there is another, stronger reason for going to a traditional, four-year college, and the liberal arts degree gained at four year colleges far outstrips the degree gained at a two year school or through a vocational track.
Liberal arts education produces analytical thinking, and professions are looking for that as an alternative to just specializing in one subject. “Who wants to hire somebody with an irrelevant major like philosophy or French,” but in reality, everyone is finding it harder to find a job in this economy, not just liberal arts majors. He then answers the question about “being a low income, or first generation college student,” and Ungar begins to state that it is ignorant to consider that just because an individual is the first generation that they cannot be given the same kind of education as someone else who is not a first generation. Some may believe that liberal arts does not take part in the mathematical and scientific side of education, but it does in the broadest parts. Sanford Ungar has the right idea that more people should major in the liberal arts, and I definitely like how he put his essays into the “seven misconceptions.”
Liberal learning introduces them to books and the music,the science and the philosophy that form disciplined yet creative habits of mind that are notreducible to the material circumstances of one’s life (though they may depend on thosecircumstances).“(Roth 1) This is what Matthew says about a liberal arts degree which is a verybalanced and good degree. With a liberal arts education students are not limited to only one kindof job because with that degree they can go into different specialties and have good knowledgeon it. The advantages of having a liberal arts degree instead of a specialized degree are muchmore beneficial compared to other degrees.For example, michael roth says “ A quick look atseveral members of President-elect Obama’s leadership team can stand as an example of howthose with a liberal arts education are shaping the future of our society.” this signifying thatpeople who run our country some of the most successful people specialized in having a liberalArts Degree.“Given the pace of technological and social change, it no longer makes sense todevote four years of higher education entirely to specific skills. Being ready on DAY ONE, mayhave sounded nice on the campaign trail, but being able to draw on one’s education over alifetime is much more practical (and precious).” Michael says this to make notice that aspeciality is no longer needed because nowadays it is more important to be ready on day one andhave some
In Charles Murray’s essay entitled “Are Too Many People Going to College?”, he discusses the influx of Americans getting a college education. He addresses the topic of Liberal Arts education, and explains that not many people are ready for the rigorous challenges a liberal-arts degree offers. In addition, Murray explains that instead of a traditional degree more people should apply to technical schools. He believes that college should not be wide spread, and that it is only for those who can handle it. These viewpoints harshly contrast with Sanford J. Ungar’s views. Ungar believes college education should be widespread, because a liberal-arts degree is, in his opinion, a necessity. He argues that a liberal-arts college is the only place that
Sweetman, George. “The Liberal Arts.” Tyndale University College & Seminary. Toronto, Ontario. 4 Oct. 2013. Lecture.
“Hence you see why “liberal studies” are so called; it is because they are studies worthy of a free- born gentlemen. But there is only one really liberal study – that which gives a man his liberty. It is the study of wisdom”, said Lucius Annaeus Seneca, the Roman Stoic philosopher who lived during the time of Jesus Christ. Historically speaking, learning liberal arts we learn ourselves to be passionate, loyal, brave and what is more important, generous. The word “freedom” has been the fundamental component of any American Dream. Today we celebrate our nation’s independence and allowance to govern ourselves.
A liberal arts core or curriculum is defined as the areas of study or learning that cultivate intellectual thinking and ideas rather than technical work or skills. By providing work within this curriculum students can achieve excellence throughout their college career. Although there is this aspect, a liberal arts core is often questioned if it is really necessary for a successful college career. This paper will discuss how and why a liberal arts curriculum is important as well as how this curriculum can lead to pursuing excellence during a college career as well as having success after college.
Michael S. Roth, “Why liberal arts matter”. CNN. CNN. 21 May 2011. Web. 05 March 2014.
In modern times, the importance of liberal arts is questioned. The article “Myth: A Liberal Arts Education is Becoming Irrelevant” by Carol T. Christ makes the argument that a liberal arts education provides a broader range of knowledge which is useful because it produces a critically thinking student. Obtaining a career is the main focus of college education. Knowing this, Christ emphasizes how a liberal arts education is useful when looking for employment. She refutes the conception that a liberal arts education is irrelevant in today’s society by identifying the useful qualities it provides the employers look for such as, “Flexibility, creativity, critical thinking, strong communication skills (particulary writing)” (Christ,
Such a definition implies that a liberal arts education also provides real-world skills in that it supports complexity, diversity, and change—something which very well may be missed in more constrictive and systematic methods of education which limit courses a student may take to a single, or otherwise limited, area of study. While good for that specific area of study, students which follow that discipline have may have a far less versatile set of skills in comparison to a student educated following a liberal arts
A plan created to deal with the problems of liberal education, called the Cornell plan, thinks that other colleges do not have enough to teach their students for a full four years. The solution that was proposed to make use of what is already there in the independent departments (general education), forces the students to cover the fields. No matter what their majors are, taking more courses out of their major will help their educational goals. Schools agree that students should take a variety of subjects. By taking additional courses, students are encouraged to look around and see something that attracts them. Bloom does not only want ...
As the world becomes more specialized it raises the question, should undergraduate institutions change their curriculum requirements to better equip students? The goal of a liberal arts education is to enlighten individuals and prepare them for the complex and diverse world by requiring the study of literature, philosophy, mathematics, and sciences. As professional careers evolve into more specialized fields the argument that a liberal education is no longer needed rises. Some educators feel that future professionals would be better primed for the future by focusing specifically on subjects that deal with their intended field. However, a liberal arts education provides benefits that go beyond the classroom. The experience of studying a wide range of material makes an individual well rounded, creates opportunities, and allows for personal evaluation. Broadening one’s knowledge in vast areas develops communication, problem-solving skills, and social responsibility regardless of intended careers.
An example of a Liberal Arts and Sciences College in modern times is University College Utrecht, a university located in the heart of the Netherlands. In 2012 I applied to be a student at University College Utrecht and was offered admission for the Fall 2013 semester. It was a long process to decide what bachelor programme to choose. It was an endless doubt between a regular degree and a Liberal Arts and Sciences degree. It was hard to make a choice, as it was impossible to predict what the future might bring. Today, I am convinced I have made the right decision to follow a Liberal Arts and Sciences education. As a Liberal Arts and Sciences student at University College Utrecht I hav...
“ I read and understood by myself all the books that I could find on the so-called liberal arts, for in those days I was a good-for-nothing and a slave to sordid ambitions. But what advantage did I gain from them? I read them with pleasure, but I did not kno...