What is liberal arts education and is it essential? Robert Harris, a writer with more than twenty-five years of teaching at university level, wrote the article “On the Purpose of a Liberal Arts Education,”(1991) to help students understand the need for general education courses in their graduation requirement. He was inspired to write this article by John Henry Newman, who gave a lecture about The idea of a University. He states that studying liberal arts education makes students happier and teaches them how to think, how to learn, see things as a whole, be happier or even become a better teacher.
In this article, Harris points out that studying is an exercise for the brain that develops one's intellectual abilities, also studying a wide spectrum of subjects will massage the muscles of students' mind which help them sharpen their mental skills, focus more and learn more easily. Moreover, Harris points out that general education courses make students able to think for themselves, whereas he mentioned: "develop your own opinions, attitudes, values, and beliefs, based not upon the authority of parents." By developing those qualities students will have a better sense of judgment and understanding. He
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Secondly, liberal arts education teaches students how to learn faster and more efficient ways by simplifying knowledge and enhancing creativity. Also, it improves the ability to learn, think and see things as a whole. Consequently, it makes students better teachers and will contribute to their happiness. For those reasons whether students like liberal arts education or don't, it is in their best interest to consider studying those
“The New Liberal Arts” is written from the author's point of view. The author, Sanford J. Ungar, writes strongly on “Misperception” of Liberal Arts. He writes down each misperception and gives his reasoning, backed up with facts as to why he, the author, considers each one a misperception. The author writes about each misperception by numbering them and also gives reasoning. For example, “Misperception NO. 1: A liberal-arts degree is a luxury” and reasoning, “families can no longer afford… depths of the recession” (p. 227).
“The New Liberal Arts” Sanford Ungar - Collaborative Summary Sanford J. Ungar was the president of Goucher College, located in Baltimore, Maryland. He wrote this essay to debunk common misperceptions about liberal arts colleges and the education provided by them. The first misperception he confronts is the idea that a liberal arts education has become far too expensive for most families to afford; therefore, it would be better if potential students focused on education specific to their desired career. Ungar argues that this is not the case. He asserts that it is better for young people to have a well-rounded liberal arts education that will prepare them for a plethora of career paths rather than having an education based solely on one career
In this essay that Ken Saxon writes, he talks about the liberal arts approach to college. He goes back and gives examples from his own life and how his college and after college careers played out. He is attempting to reach out to college students and high school students who are about to go to college. His purpose is to get more students to take a liberal arts approach to college. I plan to break down Saxon’s essay and see if he has anything that is helpful for me, as I get ready for college in the next year.
The article prompts the reader to his thoughts on the subject and, therefore, the reader is automatically inclined to believe that what Ungar says is true. The liberal arts involve taking courses and procuring a degree in Arts or Sciences. These courses will be in general areas of study, like philosophy, mathematics, literature and so. A liberal arts education is more helpful than a career education because it proves graduates with a better chance of employment, develop skills that are an advantage globally and locally and, lastly,
The article, “Why we undervalue a liberal arts education” By Adam Chapnick written on March 6, 2013 is informative and insightful because the author talks about the importance of not undervaluing liberal arts. Chapnick tells you that at the end of the day science, technology, engineering and mathematics is what is really important. One of Adam Chapnick main idea is that the large public does not get the value of liberal arts. That it has no money value, it is just important.
In the article “Why We Undervalue a Liberal Arts Education” by Adam Chapnick, the author points to reasons why the liberal arts degree is undervalued. While his article lacks direction, it is effective because he talks about the topics he promised and he backs up his claims efficiently through the use of ethos,pathos and logos. Overall his argument is legitimate and the article is well written. To my understanding, the article is analyzing the way the world looks at liberal arts degrees and how they should be teaching the students to appreciate them. Chapnick clearly thinks that the liberal arts degree is unappreciated by today’s society as you can see in this quote, “The message coming from the policy world is clear: if you want
The capacity to get an education is as much if not more the function of our desires as it is to the power of our mind. Having the right education causes us to develop different kinds of
People go to college to get a good paying job, have job security, and get a degree. Well at least that’s what it should be about. That’s what Charles Murray believes in his essay “Are Too Many People Going to College.” Murray counters the argument of Sanford Ungar who believes colleges should have a more liberal approach towards its classes and have students actually learn a broad range of real life skills instead of just going into a career just because it pays well. In Ungar’s essay he explains the misperception that Americans have on obtaining a liberal-arts degree and how they believe it doesn’t translate well to the real world.
In Charles Murray’s essay “Are Too Many People Going to College,” he believes that the concept of college has changed over the years. According to him, a four-year college is no longer as necessary as it was when it was first created because most jobs requires more on job training. He also adds to his reasoning by mentioning that because of the advancement of internet, physical libraries and the physical proximity of student and teachers is less important. Because of the changes he noticed he believes that people should go to college but not for liberal education. He makes the claim that the basic core knowledge of liberal education should be learned in elementary and middle school and that only people with high academic abilities should be encouraged to go to college.
Liberal Arts Self-Assessment There are many benefits to achieving a Liberal Arts education. A Liberal Arts education provides the learner with a broad range of information to help guide them in a direction that create intellectual growth. Liberal Arts cover a wide range of subjects and creates a solid foundation for many other areas of study. A Liberal Arts education teaches you how to think, learn, see things as a whole, makes you a better communicator, and problem solver. A Liberal Arts education is the most important factor in creating critically thinking, well rounded interesting individuals.
Going to college for many students is just a normal part of life. It is what will enable them to get an education that eventually will lead to get a well-paid job and the resources and the status to live a comfortable life. But for college professor, Andrew Delbanco, the American college has a higher purpose. In the article “College at Risk”, Delbanco states that colleges should be promoting critical thinking among students, through knowledge of the past and the interaction with each other; as well as, help them discover their talents and passions and figure out what they want to do in life. This type of education is called liberal arts and for Delbanco, it represents the ideal education.
Ever wanted to throw down that textbook and read something enjoyable for once? Well, go ahead! Chunk that dull textbook out a window and pick up a comic; it will be more beneficial to your education than you think. The skills and values that liberally educated people should posses can vary from different views, yet the list of ten qualities that William Cronon created in his article, “’Only Connect…’ The Goals of a Liberal Education”(1998), is an inspirational goal for the liberally educated. Cronon’s list of qualities includes solving problems and puzzles, empowering others, and understanding how to get stuff done in the world.
Choosing a major in college. Researches prove that more than ninety percent of undergraduates change majors between the time they enter college and the time they graduate more than once. The reasons for the change include poor information about the subjects and pressured choices by parents. Other causes include great competition from other students.
“Arts education is critical for helping students develop creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving abilities” (Chernin). The arts can help people succeed. Art is a way that people can express themselves and share their beliefs. Arts in education can help people focus and attend. Fine arts are important because they make a huge impact on kids education, they make an impact on how people pursue their life careers, and it also helps with stress and anxiety.
Malcolm X once said “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepared for it today.” In the western world education plays a vital role in shaping our future; it determines if we will survive or fail in the world we created for ourselves. Our world is constantly changing and it requires a society that is well versed in understanding the problems deriving from cultural differences and tolerance of one another’s beliefs and perceptions. With the power of education we are able to deal with the problems of economic, government, religion and culture differences.