Why Christian liberal arts education? This question is something that has been asked for many years now. For me the answer to this question is because I am able to become educated on all aspects of life whether public or personal and become closer to God at the same time. Liberal arts education promotes students to have a solid ground on all liberal arts subjects regardless of their major as they are able to become critical thinkers and adopt to change. The purpose of a liberal arts college is not to only educate us but make us into well rounded people. Liberal arts college majors are interdisciplinary and can provide students with different ways of looking at things by introducing different subjects.
I agree with Delbanco that college is overcrowded, under resourced, and little attention is paid to the fact that a whole person should be developed (154). I am convinced that a liberal arts education is what is needed to be successful in the world today. Not only is this particularly clear in universities like NYU, but also in specialized schools all around the country. For example, a student at the Stern School of Business is marketable to corporate businesses such as Morgan Stanley and firms on Wall Street, but the students may lack the knowledge necessary to transfer out of that specific field. Liberal arts colleges within universities (or even those that stand on their own) are much more useful today than specified schools because liberal arts classes offer opportunities to be exposed to a variety of subjects. They can also spark interests or passions one never knew they had. Delbanco says that colleges offer students too wide of an array of classes to take, and believes that they are too unrelated. While it does seem like classes such as the history of Australia’s koala population may seem unimportant, it is less about the specific class and more about the university creating a well rounded person that can integrate well into
and because of this liberal arts have turned to be a success ,According to the author she says that this college help students in their spiritual life forexample they are given class that will help them in their spiritual growth .The university of the Ozarks has also played a big role in helping students in their spiritual growth by introducing courses forexample old testament and religious and letting the coordinating of spiritual clubs on campus ,this a way they have established the foundation in liberal arts education
The article “Why College Matters to God” discusses the differences between a Christian college as opposed to a secular university. Rick Ostrander says that the Christian worldview is the biggest difference. The way that we understand the world shapes the way we think and act. Often we are not aware of our worldview unless we are actively trying to think about it. College is a part of life that shapes our worldview, which is why choices about where to go or what to do as it pertains to education is important.
Liberal arts helps create a well-rounded person. Mr. Ungar described how liberal arts promotes the perceptive of looking at a problem on another angle rather keeping one track. Furthermore, he mentioned liberal arts, as
One of the key core values of the Christian Liberal Arts Curriculum is faith. It is incorporated into every aspect of the experience, yet it is not forced upon me. I am allowed to believe and explore the different religious denominations without getting the cold shoulder. I am
Broadly speaking, a liberal arts education is concerned with the pursuit of knowledge as an end in itself, rather than for the sake of acquiring skills targeted at a career. The liberal arts philosophy is traced to the Greek philosopher Socrates, who famously proclaimed that the “unexamined life is not worth living”. To that end, traditional liberal arts education emphasizes the scholarly, the gentlemanly and the liberating. However, contemporary liberal arts education is marked by the integration of liberal and practical education. Consequently, a Christian liberal arts education should provide knowledge and intellectual skills to help students become functional and capable of
Martin Luther King Junior said, “Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.” Higher education does not exist for the sole purpose of preparing students for future jobs; it’s there in order to prepare individuals for life where they are expected to participate in their community, their government, and the lives of those around them. Liberal arts, in particular, exist for the broadening of students’ minds in order for them to be successful not only in their chosen career but also in their lives outside of it. Liberal arts lost their past popularity during the last few decades, but they shouldn’t be disregarded in favor of technical and professional degrees because they still provide students with skills that are perhaps less tangible, but no less necessary for life in modern world.
Critical thinking means to think correctly in to find knowledge that is relevant and reliable. In terms of a liberal arts education critical thinking is crucial because a liberal arts education teaches students skills that are needed in the rapidly changing world that usually requires a lifetime of self-learning and understanding. Critical thinking is something that people usually must learn on their own; however, as a liberal arts school it is taught, so we have a better understanding of thinking critically.
Recently, the job market has been very competitive especially for students straight out of college, however students with a liberal arts background have a greater advantage as they are more appealing to employers. There are hundreds of liberal arts colleges in the United States, however they are often overlooked due to false perceptions regarding price. Liberal arts schools prepare students for the real world by providing a well-rounded education, smaller class sizes that allow for more individualized learning, and a unique college experience. Liberal arts schools aim to provide students with a wide variety of knowledge instead of requiring them to specialize as freshman. General education classes help set students up for a successful career path.
The education of children has existed since the beginning of time as parents have taught and molded their children into the young adults they desired them to be. Initial training of children was not in a formal setting, although history would see numerous settings, purposes, and methodological changes. Philosophies of education have also changed through the years as various voices have seemed to grasp the purpose of educating the next generation, thus laying out objectives to reach those goals of teaching children.
As we go through our day by day lives in a very secular world, I believe it is very easy to question ourselves as Christian educators. We ask ourselves if we are doing our jobs exactly to God’s calling. Are we striving to teach the truth? And with that, what is truth? According to Gaebelein in his book The Pattern of God’s Truth, “All truth is God’s truth.” As educators we are called upon to cultivate “Christlike minds” (Moreland). This is quite the task, especially given our surrounding circumstances and constant secular environment. Not only are we, as educators surrounded by this secularism, but our young, adolescent students are as well. So, how do we accomplish such as task of guiding
An important piece of a college education is educating leaders of competence. I find it incredibly important for students to come out of college with not just an academic education, but a well rounded education. Students should know how to apply what they have learned to the real world. By training leaders of competence, Christian colleges are doing society a favor. We need more leaders who are knowledgable and willing to stand up for what he or she believes in. I am also attracted to the cultivation of knowledge and faith to build a more humane society. By allowing students to grow more knowledgable they become much less ignorant on important issues that face our society. By lessening ignorance, we can make much more progress in much more efficient ways.
Although, it is common for an undergraduate student to change their career path, adults often alter their job direction as well. The reasons for an individual to begin a new job are endless. In an article by Betty Southwick it is estimated that in the year 2009 twenty percent of workers will start a new job. Especially in our current economic downfall with an estimated 2.4 million Americans unemployed, according to the Associate Press, it is extremely important for one to be proficient in multiple skills and have a broad knowledge base. The background information learned in a liberal arts education gives one the knowledge to succeed if they are forced to find work outside the field in which they have a degree. A liberal arts education creates a well-rounded individual. If liberal arts education were replaced with specialized education, in universities, students would be at a disadvantage. Focusing solely on one area handicaps an individual and limits their knowledge base. Therefore, making opportunities harder to come by during rough economic times like our society is currently experiencing.
A Christian student has a different perspective than someone who doesn’t believe in God. Christians put their trust in God’s hands to take care of everything. Although education is the main reasons why Christian students attend college, it shouldn’t be the only reason. After all, college is truly is a gift and a blessing. As Christians, we can apply learning in context to God. God wants us to excel and do our very best, serve others, and live our lives in according to his will. A perfect opportunity to fulfill his commands is to learn and apply the knowledge. This can mean applying the knowledge and skills even after college. For example, my major is nursing. I am learning the skills and knowledge that I can one day I will have the chance to serve others. Nursing is a job that serves God because nursing involves care, compassion, encouragement, etc. On the other hand, it is important to analyze how Christians learn. We need to realize that God is our provider and creator so we cannot be dependent on our own ways for understanding. Every aspect of life involves trusting God even in how and why we learn because there are opportunities where we will be able to use the gifts in what we learned.
Higher education is optional, but to enter a respectable career, one must continue their education in order to achieve his financial and/or personal goals. Teenagers who attend college use their extended schooling to further obtain knowledge. The primary objective of higher education is to enhance one’s abilities for his future. A student can learn from school in numerous ways, but liberal education is not a way to attract students into further and higher education. However, students can learn a lot more through experiences that have affected their personal lives. I agree with author Mike Rose’s theory that education needs are reached to obtain a higher academic level by teaching students information that can be related to their personal