Original Intro:
Why aren’t the liberal arts as popular as something like the STEM disciplines? Many people believe that liberal arts aren’t necessary and won’t really get you anywhere in life. But what many don’t realize is that liberal arts skills can be very helpful in the future and actually get you further in your career. In the reading, “7 Major Misperceptions About the Liberal Arts” by Sanford J. Ungar, he lists 7 misperceptions that people have about the liberal arts and responds to each misperception with some points that help to resolve the incorrect understanding that people have for the liberal arts. Ungar explains the liberal arts as, “The liberal arts encompass the broadest possible range of disciplines in the natural sciences, the humanities, and the social sciences.” (Ungar). In the article, “Critical Thinking and the Liberal Arts” by Jeffery Scheuer, Scheuer introduces several conceptions of the liberal arts. He gives more context as to what the liberal arts really are and why we need them, along with explaining the importance of critical thinking and citizenship. There are many liberal arts colleges that offer all different kinds of curriculums, as for our college, The Core Curriculum Handbook College of Arts and Sciences of the University of New England states, “students will develop foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills that are necessary for understanding and assuming their roles in natural, social, humanistic, and other environments.” (UNE CAS). The University of New England uses an integrated curriculum to allow students to learn all parts of the liberal arts. As Scheuer puts it, “One, typified by America’s liberal arts colleges, embraces the ideal of the integrated curriculum, encompassing virtually all nonprofessional higher learning, from the natural and social sciences to the humanities and the performing arts.” (Scheuer). As Scheuer explains it, an integrated curriculum consists of many different subjects that are believed to be beneficial for students to learn in order for them to gain more knowledge and skills in different areas.
Revised Intro:
Why aren’t the liberal arts as popular as something like the STEM disciplines? Many people believe that liberal arts aren’t necessary and won’t really get you anywhere in life. But what many don’t realize is that liberal arts skills can be very helpful in the future and actually get you further in your career. In the reading, “7 Major Misperceptions About the Liberal Arts” by Sanford J. Ungar, he lists 7 misperceptions that people have about the liberal arts and responds to each misperception with some points that help to resolve the incorrect understanding that people have for the liberal arts. Ungar explains the liberal arts as, “The liberal arts encompass the broadest possible range of disciplines in the natural sciences, the humanities, and the social sciences.” (Ungar). Ungar’s reading will help me show the many misperceptions that people have about the liberal arts and why those interpretations are incorrect. In the article, “Critical Thinking and the Liberal Arts” by Jeffery Scheuer, Scheuer introduces several conceptions of the liberal arts. He gives more context as to what the liberal arts really are and why we need them, along with explaining the importance of critical thinking and citizenship. I will use Scheuer’s ideas to show what the liberal arts are and why they are so valuable. There are many liberal arts colleges that offer all different kinds of curriculums, as for our college, The Core Curriculum Handbook College of Arts and Sciences of the University of New England states, “students will develop foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills that are necessary for understanding and assuming their roles in natural, social, humanistic, and other environments.” (UNE CAS). Liberal Arts colleges seem to be much less popular as the years go on, but people fail to realize that they are actually very valuable and beneficial. I believe the liberal arts can give students many opportunities that can help them get far in not only their careers, but also their lives after college.
