Kendra Cobb
English 102
Summary Essay
January 24, 2017
English 102
Summary Essay
January 24, 2017
Liberal Arts
Are liberal-art programs becoming less relevant to society? Liberal-art programs can also be known as art and science programs. These programs can be seen as irrelevant and useless, but there are many different subjects and topics to study in the liberal arts. In the article “The New Liberal Arts” written by Sanford J. Ungar, a past president of Goucher College in Baltimore, Ungar explains the misconceptions people have about liberal-art programs and degrees and how liberal arts give important skills to students.
People often think that a degree in the liberal arts is a luxury and is irrelevant to families who are not wealthy. Parents tend to think that the liberal arts degrees are not affordable. According to Ungar, “It is condescending to imply that those who have less cannot understand and appreciate the finer elements of knowledge” (Ungar 192). A liberal arts degree is not a degree in which it is acceptable for wealthier students to do the thinking and the other students to do the work. A liberal arts degree can help students develop skills they will need for many jobs, and not just one specific job.
Also, many people assume that it is not possible to find a good job with just a liberal arts degree, and that students should study in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields as well. Ungar says that “...a growing number of corporations, including some in highly technical fields, are headed by people with liberal-arts degrees” (Urgar 192). Many employers want someone who can communicate well, be creative, and problem solve. When studying the liberal arts, students are able to cover many art and science subjects.
Furthermore, many people suspect that liberal arts are just taught in America will create liberal Democrats and are becoming irrelevant. There are other places in the world that have programs and degrees in the liberal arts field. Politics are taught but are not forced in the liberal arts (Ungar 194). Ungar’s point is that “Through immersion in liberal arts, students learn not just to make a lining, but also to live a rich life in values and character. …They develop patterns that help them understand how to keep learning for the rest of their days” (Ungar 196). Programs in the liberal arts may seem to be unaffordable for some people but are not irrelevant. In the long run, these programs help teach students skills that they will use in many aspects of their daily lives.
Though many people view degrees and programs in the liberal arts as a luxury, useless, and irrelevant, they equip students with skills that are necessary for many jobs and careers. In the article “The New Liberal Arts” written by Sanford J. Ungar, it gives examples of how people's views of liberal-art programs are not always true. The liberal arts are an important part of being able to do well at any job, whereas other programs are specified to a particular job or career. Liberal arts are an important part of one's education.
People often think that a degree in the liberal arts is a luxury and is irrelevant to families who are not wealthy. Parents tend to think that the liberal arts degrees are not affordable. According to Ungar, “It is condescending to imply that those who have less cannot understand and appreciate the finer elements of knowledge” (Ungar 192). A liberal arts degree is not a degree in which it is acceptable for wealthier students to do the thinking and the other students to do the work. A liberal arts degree can help students develop skills they will need for many jobs, and not just one specific job.
Also, many people assume that it is not possible to find a good job with just a liberal arts degree, and that students should study in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields as well. Ungar says that “...a growing number of corporations, including some in highly technical fields, are headed by people with liberal-arts degrees” (Urgar 192). Many employers want someone who can communicate well, be creative, and problem solve. When studying the liberal arts, students are able to cover many art and science subjects.
Furthermore, many people suspect that liberal arts are just taught in America will create liberal Democrats and are becoming irrelevant. There are other places in the world that have programs and degrees in the liberal arts field. Politics are taught but are not forced in the liberal arts (Ungar 194). Ungar’s point is that “Through immersion in liberal arts, students learn not just to make a lining, but also to live a rich life in values and character. …They develop patterns that help them understand how to keep learning for the rest of their days” (Ungar 196). Programs in the liberal arts may seem to be unaffordable for some people but are not irrelevant. In the long run, these programs help teach students skills that they will use in many aspects of their daily lives.
Though many people view degrees and programs in the liberal arts as a luxury, useless, and irrelevant, they equip students with skills that are necessary for many jobs and careers. In the article “The New Liberal Arts” written by Sanford J. Ungar, it gives examples of how people's views of liberal-art programs are not always true. The liberal arts are an important part of being able to do well at any job, whereas other programs are specified to a particular job or career. Liberal arts are an important part of one's education.
Work Cited
Ungar, Sanford J. "The New Liberal Arts." They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 190-196. Print