Liberal Arts
Jun. 28th, 2008 09:44 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ellenkushnerI have really enjoyed our brief time at Hollins U., and hope to return someday. Meanwhile, who can resist cracking open HOLLINS COLLEGE: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY?? A fascinating look at a Southern institution for women's many turns over nearly 2 centuries. In it I find this description from 1952 of the 2 Great Objectives of a Liberal Arts Education:
1) The liberation of the mind and spirit from unconsciously and uncritically accepted values and propositions, to develop qualities of wisdom, virtue & civility.
2) The establishment of a firm foundation of fact and theory which will serve as a frame of reference and a guide for adequately meeting...new problems and situations.
I've been having so many conversations lately with friends, some in high school, some parents, some university teachers . . .all trying to figure out what college is really for. For many, it has become a sophisticated Trade School; and indeed, for many, quickly learning a trade is what is required to launch one in the world. But for those with the leisure to pursue four years in the liberal arts, we could do worse than to contemplate and aspire to those objectives.
1) The liberation of the mind and spirit from unconsciously and uncritically accepted values and propositions, to develop qualities of wisdom, virtue & civility.
2) The establishment of a firm foundation of fact and theory which will serve as a frame of reference and a guide for adequately meeting...new problems and situations.
I've been having so many conversations lately with friends, some in high school, some parents, some university teachers . . .all trying to figure out what college is really for. For many, it has become a sophisticated Trade School; and indeed, for many, quickly learning a trade is what is required to launch one in the world. But for those with the leisure to pursue four years in the liberal arts, we could do worse than to contemplate and aspire to those objectives.