Pre Reading: 

My first thoughts when hearing “liberal arts” is of the historical meaning of the word, subjects learned by free men. These subjects include literature, philosophy, social and physical sciences and math. The subtitle “We neglect them at our peril,” makes me think this article will be in the shift in value that we put in education, going from an education that teaches all of those subjects equally to one that values STEM more. 

What Are the Liberal Arts?

The What Are the Liberal Arts section focuses on how the meaning and understanding of the words “liberal arts” have changed over the years. The section covers the different definitions of the phrase, including the historical meaning: “the skills required of a free man.” The skills of a free man include the classical trivium, grammar, rhetoric, and logic, and the medieval quadrivium, geometry, music, and astronomy. The text goes onto explore how the definition of the phrase went from a broad selection of subjects to more and more specific definitions Overall, the main point of this section is to explain that the study of the liberal arts isn’t to be well versed in a specific subject, but to to promote “flexibility and openness to diverse perspectives.” The liberal arts should be used in a broad sense. 

Why Do We Need the Liberal Arts?

This section explains the two major reasons for studying the liberal arts: critical thinking and citizenship. Studying the liberal arts teaches students how to be active community members. Citizenship, as defined in the reading, has three main categories: civic dimensions, economic citizenship, and cultural citizenship. This is similar to the goals listed in the UNE CORE handbook which strives to “inspire students to become engaged citizens using their disciplinary perspectives.” Both UNE and the key elements of liberal arts look to produce well rounded world citizens, but will these citizens be more successful than those who have a specialty in a more focused field?

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is what allows people to make connections both in one’s own thinking and to the thinking of others. Not only that, but critical thinking makes people better overall “learners, communicators, team members, and citizens.” Unlike philosophy, which is focused on general thought, critical thinking is about the thinking of individuals. 

The Importance of Critical Inquiry:

The Importance of Critical Inquiry:

Critical inquiry and skilled thinkers are essential to the progression of business, technology, science, and more. Critical inquiry reflects concepts that go beyond each discipline and connect the liberal arts. As seen in the previous sections, much of the liberal arts are about connection and how a broader understanding of many subjects can make us better citizens and members of society. The ability to think differently than others allows us to bring something unique to the world.