Schools teach liberalism, not liberal arts
Dear Editor,
President Leland, in her University Convocation, said she would do all in her power, in the face of reduced state funding, to keep our liberal arts mission alive.
What is a liberal arts education? According to the Encarta World English Dictionary it is “an education in culturally oriented subjects: college and university subjects that are intended to provide students with general cultural knowledge, for example, languages, literature, history, and philosophy.” I hope that is what it still means in this age of idealized political liberalism. In my opinion, this and most other colleges and universities in this country have been teaching liberalism, not liberal arts.
As the world and I have grown older, it has become apparent that the youth have felt they are charged with righting the wrongs of the whatever world they are in. Unfortunately some have grown into teachers that feel they have been charged with keeping that concept alive.
The television programs that are viewed by younger audiences seem to be where they get their nightly lessons in reality. This seems backward to me. Dreams should be on TV and reality in the classroom. Isn’t a study of the real world important? When did feelings become more important than facts and common sense?
Sincerely.
Jim Lenahan
Student, Creative Writing Major
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 14 2005. Filed under Opinion.
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