Essay on Importance of Liberal Arts Education

Introduction

Liberal arts education is one of the oldest subjects to in the history of western education. Significant value has been attached has been attached to the pursuit of liberal arts programs. For years, liberal arts education has been the hallmark for an educated person. The programs have been viewed as crucial contributors to civic activeness by members of the public (Eyler 24). The education essentially imparts a wide range of knowledge to learners on subjects such as social sciences, natural sciences, humanities and even formal sciences. The content covered in the study of liberal arts education is essential, as it develops informed individuals, who can be of value to their immediate community and the world at large.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Subjects covered in the study of natural sciences include biology, physics, and astronomy. Under social sciences, the education consists ofdisciplines such as law, politics, and sociology. Humanities taught in liberal arts programs include literature, religion, and ethics. Formal sciences cover subjects such as statistics and mathematics. These subjects constitute examples of criticalsubjects that learners are exposed to in the study of liberal arts education. The programs cover many more topics that impart to the learners, vital knowledge necessary for everyday living (Eyler 25).The scope of liberal arts education is a bitbroad, and thus, it is of great value to learners interested in the programs.

Liberal arts education has been credited for its role in developing members of the public who have a different and unique perspective on all aspects of life. Learners who have a broad view and knowledge base on life are better placed to secure jobs in the modern market. The extensive range of skills imparted in learners under liberal arts programs gives them an added advantage in the field. The education enables the learners to do acquire both specific skill sets as well as other diverse abilities. Employers are always on the lookout for unique skills in potential employees. Liberal arts education is likely to boost an individual's productivity due to the extensive skills learned (Rose n.p). The present-day workplace requires more than just the quantified skills one learns in college. The challenges and new dynamics arising in the workplace due to an ever-evolving society needa skilled workforce. Liberal arts education increases an individual's adaptability to changes that occur around them.

Pursuing liberal arts education improves an individual's critical thinking skills. Liberal arts allow learners to develop intellectual bravery. The programs encourage students to challenge existing beliefs and phenomena. It, therefore, provides an environment that fosters intellectual discourse on issues that affect the society and quality of life. The learners are not restricted to think and act within the confines of existing principles. Rather, they are given the liberty to come up with new ideas and thoughts regarding various aspects of life. Liberal arts encourage learners to critic the present, in a bid to devise new and better explanations for existing phenomena and realities. By enabling learners to think outside the box, the education promotes critical thinking and expression of one's opinions without fear (Eyler 27). These skills allow members of the public to question and assess the truths presented to them. The challenging of truth and reality, in turn, leads to exemplary living.

Liberal arts education imparts in an individual better communication skills and strategies. Subjects such as art, linguistics, speech, and classical languages expose learners to better communication skills. The learners can acquire fundamental skills that increase the efficiency of a communication act. Skills such as active listening and speaking are essential. The listed subjects help learners to practice active listening and speaking skills and exercise speaking. Reading and writing skills are also developed as a result of liberal arts education. The two facilitate communication, as comprehension is increased, and individuals learn how to express themselves properly (Eyler 29). Good communication skills are a significant requirement for an individual to be relevant in any field of life.

Liberal arts education evokes an individual's curiosity to learn more and acquire vast knowledge on different topics and issues. Consequently, this leads to a lifelong desire to engage in educational activities and processes that keep the mind vibrant. This is a positive influence as it increases an individual's adaptability and agility in life. By practicing lifelong learning, members of the community are informed of the changing trends in different aspects of life. With the rapid development witnessed in the present-day society, lifelong learning helps in updating one's knowledge on areas such as politics, religion, and most importantly, technology (Bevin 10). This learning facilitates the application of knowledge acquired in the relevant aspects where it is needed. Liberal arts education challenges learners to know more than just the basic concepts of life.

Ethics, which are the moral principles and virtues that govern the conduct of an individual within the context of given society, are taught in liberal arts education. This is a crucial subject whose value on the individual and impact on a nation's morals cannot be overlooked. Ethics influence the behavior patterns exhibited by members of society. They form and determine the moral fabric of a community. Due to the evolution of society, the way of life and leaps made in technological advancement, morality has become blurred. Liberal arts education plays a vital role in clarifying the expected and correct standards to be upheld (Rose n.p). Subjects such as religion and law help push the agenda of ethical living as taught in liberal education. This is important as the society gets to have members who understand the value of morality. Such a community enjoys relative peace and harmonious living as individuals strive to uphold ethical standards of living. This program cultures moral habits in individuals.

Liberal arts education is crucial as it enhances creative problem-solving skills in individuals. There is a need for these skills as society faces more puzzling and incessant challenges. One such problem that requires ardent problem-solving skills is the rapid deterioration in climate. Other concerns that polarize the community include the element of racial discrimination, poverty, and economic inequalities (Rose n.p). Liberal arts education attempts to prepare individuals for these hurdles in real life. It seeks to empower learners with skills and techniques that apply to solution finding. The broad scope of knowledge taught in the programs enables members of the society to confront challenges. Thisis geared toward devising of strategies to counter the effects of these challenges. The present-day society is in need of individuals with creative problem skills particularly gained from liberal arts education.

Liberal arts education is significant as it provides learners with critical conflict resolution skills. Any given community occasionally experiences disagreements among its members. These conflicts need to be resolved in their primary stages to avoid escalation. Conflict resolution requires a tactful approach to ensure that long-term harmony is assured between the parties or members in dispute. Peace is an elusive concept, especially when disagreements arise due to emotive issues. Liberal arts education significantly helps in deterring the spiraling of conflicts (Sullivan et al. n.p). It imparts in the individuals, academic, and practical techniques, which can be applied to resolve disputes. Subjects such as law, history, and politics avail vital information on conflict management and resolution.

Liberal arts education drives individuals towards innovative and futuristic research. The purpose of this is to ensure that society is prepared and able to meet its future needs. Liberal arts education takes into context the trends and history of a society and predicts future needs. The learners are, thus, challenged towards innovativeness and creativity that will help meet the needs identified. Subjects such as biology, physics, and economics stimulate individuals to engage in innovative research to address concerns such as population growth control. The study is instrumental as it increases the readiness of the society to handle the predicted issues as outlined by liberal arts education (Sullivan et al. n.p). Members of a community are informed of their historical past, how events shape situations and how best to mitigate future problems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, liberal arts education does more than just impart unique knowledge to learners. It impacts the all-round development of an individual, the society, and nation at large. The value and relevance of content covered in liberal arts education go beyond academic premises. The materials are practical and applicable in real life. The education shapes an individual into a useful member of society. It instills in members of the public with initiative and general responsibility regarding the welfare of the community as a whole unit. It increases active participation of individuals in civic matters that affect the people. Therefore, it is evident that liberal arts education is of great significance to learners and the community.

Works Cited

Bevins, Scott. "STEM: Moving the Liberal Arts Education into the 21st Century." Technology and Engineering Teacher, vol. 71, no. 4, 2011, pp. 10

Eyler, Janet. "The Power of Experiential Education. " Liberal Education, vol. 95, no. 4, 2009, pp. 24-31.

Rose, Clayton. "Why We Need The Liberal Arts Now More Than Ever." TIME. 2017. Accessed from http://time.com/4920389/bowdoin-college-liberal-arts-education/.23 Apr. 2018

Sullivan, William M., and Matthew S. Rosin.A New Agenda for Higher Education: Shaping a Life of the Mind for Practice.John Wiley & Sons, 2008.