Pre-reading. Read the title and write 3-5 sentences as a pre-reading activity. What is this article going to be about? Based on this title, what do YOU think “liberal arts” means?

  • I think that this article is going to cover the broad meaning of the term “liberal arts” and expand it into multidisciplinary areas. Combined with critical thinking skills, “the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment”, the two terms can reach into the meaning of knowledge and how colleges specifically interpret this. Critical thinking is already a term we see used in a variety of subjects and as mentioned in the core handbook is a crucial element of a well-rounded education. I think that the term “liberal arts” is a way to frame education in a way that extracts as much knowledge about a subject as possible. Also, not just what typically comes to mind like English, History, Art, etc. but any subject can benefit. Setting forth a certain mindset within any subject that focuses on the background of whatever information is being given, thinking about connections between topics, and exploring in an in-depth way. 

What Are the Liberal Arts? 

  • In this section of the article, Scheuer’s main thesis is that the term “liberal arts” has evolved immensely over its 2,000-year-old history and its definition should be updated as well. He explains both the traditional as well as the new mindset of what a liberal arts curriculum entails and that “Neither liberal nor arts is an essential…descriptor”. Traditional areas include subjects such as grammar, rhetoric, geometry, philosophy, theology, etc. Today, some of the most utilized areas of a liberal arts program are to meld together what is generally accepted to be the most important topics such as science, art, humanities, and social sciences into a comprehensive education. The biggest takeaway from this section is to open the reader’s mind to become aware of the complexities within education and acquiring knowledge. 

Why Do We Need the Liberal Arts? 

  • The two main ideas that Scheuer examines in this portion of the article are the concepts of critical thinking and citizenship. Again, he discusses the differences between the traditional definition of citizenship to allow for a more in-depth analysis of the world around us and what we perceive as our civic duty. A few ideas he brought up in regards to citizenship include how the traditional “civil dimension” includes things like voting, jury service, advocacy, and volunteering. I was interested especially in this aspect because I think today some people think of voting as just something that needs to be done and it’s more of a headache to go through the whole “political season” instead of how sacred a duty it is. It determines the course of our country and goes down in history that will be studied in the future. His idea of critical thinking and making connections between multiple spheres of citizenship seem to coincide with my idea that being a well-informed and invested citizen is the best way to ensure a successful community. Whether the topic is environmental, international, or political centered it is crucial that we as a society take the time to actively participate in decision making. 

What is Critical Thinking?

  • Scheuer expresses the many benefits of obtaining an education that puts critical thinking skills into the forefront of its teachings, and how that skill set can continue on into someone’s personal, academic, or professional life. Critical thinking is an avenue into understanding not just your thoughts but how that connects with others’ thoughts and the entire world around us. Becoming comfortable with thinking deeply and having a sort of flexibility when it comes to problem-solving or understanding people and ideas. He also identifies that whereas critical thinking doesn’t have to have one definitive definition and can take on so many interpretations, that we still do need core educational skills. However, if they can be supplemented with critical thinking throughout, that will strengthen both the core subject and the individual’s capacity to think deeper. Obtaining the skills and experiences such as being able to adapt to new situations, communicate effectively, work with others, and reflect back on situations to grow. These are all ways critical thinking helps advance knowledge. 

The Importance of Critical Inquiry 

  • The last section of this article focuses on how reasoning and analytic thinking doesn’t have to solely rely on a traditional format, there are concepts like “truth, nature, value…complexities, morality, freedom” that all have various meaningful concepts that add to the holistic viewpoint of knowledge. There is always a balance, fields within STEM are needed for the wellbeing of our society, but there doesn’t need to be such strict rules and boundaries with the educational process of these very different fields that either incorporate or neglect liberal arts. Regardless of what profession someone goes into or area of study, at the very core, we are human. Becoming proficient in a variety of areas can only improve our connectedness with one another and have the skills to be compassionate, intelligent, and present in society. 

Quotation Response

  • “In the end, critical inquiry is not a map or list of firm rules but a set of navigational skills” → I picked this quote because it coincided with a few of my thought processes when I was picking a college to attend last spring. Everyone around me who was thinking of pursuing English, History, or Political Science picked a school labeled as “Liberal Arts College” and UNE does not have that description when looking quickly online. I was thinking of UNE and Brandies University, which says it has a “liberal arts focus” but I had to decide which elements of a school mattered most to me. UNE for example was a place that I was comfortable with, an area that was far enough away from home for me to be outside my comfort zone but close enough that I still felt I had a support system. I also knew that this school was in a safe environment and I have had so many great experiences meeting people who went there and worked there over the years that I knew it was special. I realized that the more typical liberal arts college that appeals to the humanities major doesn’t have as much importance as I thought. I can decide to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way at UNE, and I will be as successful and happy as if I was at a school where English/Political Science was the top major. Now knowing that the Core Handbook has such emphasis on elements of liberal arts and incorporates those ideas into the curriculum I know it was a great choice. 

Write 4-5 sentences drawing a connection/relationship between something specific in Scheuer and something specific in the Core Handbook.

One thing in the Core Handbook that I noticed Scheuer also states in his article was the theme of teaching students to learn how to learn, fostering a mindset that allows for an openness and eagerness to learn even after college. In section IV of the Core Handbook, it describes how “Core courses enable students to chart courses of self-directed and ongoing learning”, to me, I found this wording very important. The ability for students to not just blindly follow what an institution tells them is essential and get the credit and move on, instead, there is a need for active participation on both ends. Students are taught to think more critically and deeply about their education and how it affects them after they leave. In the article “Critical Thinking and the Liberal Arts”, this theme is also very present when discussing how “The liberal arts embody precisely the skills a democracy must cultivate to maintain…active, thoughtful, humane, and productive citizens”. This overarching statement that appears in both texts draws a connection to how essential it is to learn to think in a way that creates success within college but also beyond, whether that be the workforce, tertiary education, or personal lives. 

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