Liberal Studies, B.A.

Major Code: (09401)

Learning Outcomes

The successful student will be able to:

• Create innovative solutions to complex problems
• Demonstrate effective use of written, oral, and electronic communication
• Analyze inter-related events from several perspectives
• Demonstrate the ability to identify concepts and to construct methods of inquiry
• Demonstrate understanding of diverse perspectives and work with people from diverse backgrounds within a global community
• Effectively use argumentation and persuasive techniques

The Bachelor of Arts with a Comprehensive Major in Liberal Studies is intended for those individuals with broad intellectual interests who seek the enrichment, breadth of knowledge, and intellectual skills that a liberal arts education can provide. As an alternative to traditional disciplinary and specialized education, the B.A. in Liberal Studies offers a unique and innovative degree program that provides both structure and flexibility. The structuring component of the program consists of a core of team-planned courses centered on the interdisciplinary study of the humanities. The Liberal Studies faculty believe that the humanities (i.e. the study of the major ideas and values, literature and philosophy, arts and letters, and themes and images which have given meaning to human existence and which have shaped the evolution of civilization) is best approached through an interdisciplinary format which brings together different academic disciplines and perspectives for an integrated study of human thought and culture. While all students in the program are required to complete the interdisciplinary core, students (with the help of their academic advisor) get to choose an area of concentration and various elective courses to pursue their individual interests.