1. The liberal arts education model has been critiqued and criticized by many who believe it should be taught a certain way. In order to have the best outcomes of students, liberal arts needs to and can, “encompass the broadest possible range of disciplines in the natural sciences, the humanities, and the social sciences” (Ungar). It’s necessary to provide students with a general and broad view of different topics in order for them to have an understanding of the world that they will be going into. Along with encompassing a range of disciplines, “the liberal arts have traditionally been defended as instrumental to two key elements of democracy: critical thinking and citizenship” (Scheuer). It can be challenging to survive without the skills of critical thinking and citizenship. Critical thinking allows people to process and analyze problems in diverse ways. Citizenship involves not just politics, but also being a productive member of the community and culture (Scheuer). However, by only teaching a broad overview of life skills, students will be unable to attain specific skills for specific jobs that they may want to pursue. If a student wants to become a medical doctor, they require specific training and course, that liberal arts does not provide. The world needs specifically oriented education and also liberal arts.
2. Critical thinking is a critical skill that enables students to process the world and challenges more analytically. UNE contains a liberal arts, or arts and sciences college within the university. They desire four different core curriculum objectives with one to, “challenge students to think critically and ethically while using quantitative, qualitative, and scientific reasoning to solve complex problems” (CAS Handbook 4). With today’s society evolving time and time again it’s important to have a general knowledge of multiple topics so there’s no confusion. Jeffrey Scheuer defines critical thinking as, “the intellectual engine of a functional democracy: the set of mental practices that lends breadth, depth, clarity, and consistency to public discourse.” By using Scheuer’s definition for UNE’s critical thinking curriculum then students will be able to progress their thinking skills. It’s essential to incorporate an understanding of what critical thinking is in order for students to apply it.
3. UNE, through their liberal arts education system, allows students to gain a diverse and general education that will help them prepare for their future by providing courses in the arts and STEM fields. It can be difficult in this day in age to please everyone and make sure everyone gets what they want. UNE tries to satisfy a wide array of topics by assigning each year a theme, “First Year Theme: Environmental Awareness, Second Year Theme: Social and Global Awareness, Third Year Theme: Critical Thinking, Fourth Year Theme: Citizenship” (CAS Handbook 6). All of these themes combined require knowledge in the arts and in the sciences. UNE provides a well rounded education, but a very high cost. There’s a misperception that a liberal arts education is unaffordable and too expensive (Ungar). However, “one could argue that the traditional, well-rounded preparation that the liberal arts offer is a better investment than ever” (Ungar). An investment for the future can pay off rather than achieving a cheaper education that provides a specific skillful education. It can be beneficial to achieve a well paying specific job now, but it can also be beneficial to achieve a well rounded education that might not end up paying off right away, yet will in the future. Depending on each individual’s situation dictates the type of education and future they want to pursue. Not going into the liberal arts might not mean that someone doesn’t want a liberal arts education, rather wants a specific job with a specific skill.
