Why Do Students Receive A Liberal Arts Education?

In recent discussion of the purpose of a liberal arts education, a controversial issue has been whether it is “just filling you up with knowledge”. On one hand, some argue that it is just a good prerequisite to have. From this perspective, the point of earning a degree is to get a better career. On the other hand, however, others argue that a degree “has actual human value”. In the words of David Foster Wallace, one of this view’s main proponents, “a liberal arts education is not so much filling you up with knowledge as it is about ‘teaching you how to think’”. According to this view, having a degree affects how you think. In sum, then, the issue is whether a liberal arts education teaches you how to think positively or not through your banal “adult life”

From the outside, it is hard to see why I would want to earn a liberal arts degree. Time and time again, the lifetime earnings of workers who studied in the liberal arts are outpaced by their peers who worked in engineering. These “hard sciences” of math and engineering are lauded as the “right choice” for future success by ambitious parents and counselors, while liberal arts degrees are the butt of jokes. However, for me, a liberal arts degree means a lot more than just making money. It means a global vision and universality across disciplines, as well as many future opportunities to change the world radically.

The essay “A New Liberal Arts,” which was written by Sanford Ungar, first appeared in the Chronicle of Higher Education on March 5, 2010. In his essay, Ungar uses many different rhetorical strategies to convince his reader that a degree in the liberal arts is not a lost cause but can actually be very beneficial and lead to success. In Ungar’s opinion, there are many wrong ideas and misunderstandings about the usefulness of a degree in the liberal arts. In the essay there are seven specific misperceptions that he addresses specifically. By listing out these misperceptions, Ungar is addressing them individually in order to give each one proper attention. He offers explanations to why people may think these things and why he believes that they are incorrect. Ungar’s use of style, format, and emotional and logical arguments help him to create a persuasive and influential essay for his audience and convince them to agree with his opinion.

Michael Fromm, CEO of electrical Manufacturing, says in an article on CNBC, “I find people that have a liberal arts background have a broader view of the world and will go farther in business.” Practical skills create people trained to do one thing one way and not allowing for deviance. Kelley Holland, on an article “The Case for a liberal arts education,” says, “Graduates that are right out of college, by their peak earning years, from age 56 to 60, people with liberal arts degrees earn an average of $66,185, about $2,000 more than their peers with professional or pre-professional degrees.” Critical thinkers are perfectly capable of performing practical skills, and in fact, since they have been taught to think for themselves, will now be

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.

The author concludes that the debate of liberal education will continue throughout generations to come. That students should immerse themselves within liberal arts not to just make a living, but to become more complex and diverse, to find creative ways to solve new problems, and develop as a person as a person. (Ugar 196) By incorporating the gained knowledge of the liberal arts, undergraduates can pass it down to the future

A liberal arts degree is much more than a piece of paper representing a waste of time and money, as some may believe. Instead, a liberal arts degree is a piece of paper representing true utilization of what further education should really be. Often times, people get caught up in the question of where they're going, but while it's important to strive for success, they forget to strive for quality. This applies to college students in the sense that, when choosing a major, practicality is often prioritized over passion.

Getting a liberal arts degree is going above and beyond normal expectations in today’s society. It is challenging the mind, forcing a person to think in a different way than most people think. It allows the person to see the world in a completely different perspective than the norm, seeing everything with a more open mind. However, a liberal arts degree can only go so far. Knowing liberal arts broadens a person’s knowledge with real world issues, but it will not do much in the occupational field.

For centuries, a liberal arts education was a sign of a well-rounded, creative individual. However, in an ever changing era, a liberal arts education is nothing more than an example of how little people enjoy change. Nowadays, numerous jobs require basic to intermediate computer skills, literacy in basic business and economic concepts, and a remedial understanding of geography, social customs, and current events. The core curriculum of a liberal arts education, which includes history, math, art, science, English, literature, and a variety of social sciences, needs to be expanded to encompass the subjects people encounter every day in the 21st century. This paper is directed towards a general audience dedicated to improving centers of

Liberal arts prepare diligent students for success by providing them opportunities to learn about themselves and about others around them. The liberal arts shape students’ perspective making them become more diverse in how they view the world. It teaches students qualitative thought and quantitative thought and how those two types of thought come together to form conclusions and effective decisions. Not only does the liberal arts require students to think critically, but it also creates students who know how to write and speak efficiently. A student who know how to talk to people and knows how to explain their thought process will eventually become leaders and great citizens for society.

Without a knowledge in the Humanities, one would have a difficult time understanding the reason and purpose of a productive life. Today’s world is trying to downplay the importance of a liberal arts education. The ancient classical philosopher and the Renaissance thinkers understood the need for a liberal arts education. Alberti in the 15th century remarked “Letters are indeed so important that without them one would be considered a rustic, no matter how much a gentlem[a]n.” Humanities are necessary to understand how to conduct oneself purposefully throughout life. Some today question the importance of the study of history. Bruni explained “For the careful study of the past enlarges our foresight in contemporary affairs and affords to citizens

In modern America, the level of expectations employers have for their applicants is as high as ever. As a result, more people are now seeking ways to enhance their employability skill-sets. One of most common and effective way to enhance the skill-sets is obtaining a college degree. It should come as no surprise then, that the rate of people attending higher education institutions in America is greater than ever before. With this in mind, the question then arises, which college major yields the most useful set of skills for a successful life? Nicholaos Jones, Philosophy Professor at University of Alabama, offered his perspective on this topic in his article, Liberal Arts and the Advantages of Being

The liberal arts are subjects that I consider a platform for life. You acquire knowledge and assimilate lessons that will guide you in overcoming obstacles that may hinder you. Weather it be critical reading skills or the way you interpret a painting in a museum the prowess that you accumulate from liberal arts will consistently aid you.

“A truly great intellect… is one which takes a connected view of old and new, past and present, far and near, and which has an insight into the influence of all these. One on another; without which there is no whole, and no centre,” John Henry Newman, from the article On the Purpose of a Liberal Arts Education.

Liberal arts education will improve a student’s success. Liberal arts education provides students with fundamental classes outside of their major courses, which will contribute to them becoming educated in many other aspects. For example, students who have a liberal arts education have to take courses such as English and Speech. These particular courses will contribute to students learning how to improve their communication skills. As an individual begins their career it will be important for them to know how to properly communicate with coworkers and any other individuals they talk to on a day to day basis. Therefore, these courses will cause students to be successful within their career because they will know how to properly share their ideas