Anna Sims

PORT 122

April 19, 2007

            The liberal arts education has several disciplines including Historical, Aesthetic, Values-oriented, and Empirical.  The application of these disciplines is imperative when obtaining a well-rounded college education. 

            The liberal arts education intends to help people have a broad range of knowledge about many subjects rather than specialization in just one area.  The historical perspective can help students gain knowledge about the past, present and future.  To fully understand the world in its present state, we must understand how things used to be.  Knowing the history of our ancestors can help us better understand ourselves. 

            The aesthetic perspective provides the learner with an understanding of art.  Beauty can be interpreted in many different ways.  Studying the impact of aesthetics can help us define art.  Since art reflects social, economic, and cultural progress, it’s important to study it.

            The values-oriented perspective is crucial to study in the liberal arts program.  Learning the values of any culture, religion, or philosophy can help us define what’s important to us as individuals and what’s important in society.  Through studying values in the liberal arts, we are able to be more tolerant of others.  We also may be able to decide what values we find important, which can add meaning to our lives.

            Most everything involves science.  Without empirical study, there would be no facts about our tangible world.  A scientific understanding of ourselves and the earth enables us create a more stable environment.  With science we can better understand the functions of our universe, and possibly solve mysteries through experimentation.

            The liberal arts education prepares people to deal with a wide variety of experiences.  By studying the liberal arts, one becomes more well-rounded and has the knowledge and ability to be successful.