What are Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies?
Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies are all interdisciplinary college programs that allow students to study across multiple departments.A student earning a degree in Liberal Arts, Humanities, or General Studies is likely to take classes in history, English, anthropology, and philosophy in the course of one degree program.
These departments operate on the philosophy that many perspectives may be taken to approach a topic.Also, students of these programs generally believe in the value of a broad education as opposed to specialized training in one field.
How do Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies differ?
In many cases differences between Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies programs are semantic.However, General Studies Colleges are generally for students who have delayed or interrupted their college education.Students of a General Studies College are often considered non-traditional and may attend night or weekend classes.The Liberal Arts originate from seven liberal arts studied by the ancient Greeks and medieval universities, but have become so broad as to be nearly indistinguishable from a Humanities program. Unlike students of Liberal Arts who have a choice of earning a general Liberal Arts degree or majoring in one of the disciplines under the Liberal Arts umbrella, Humanities students take classes in a Humanities department, but earn a degree in English, foreign language, philosophy, etc.
Earning a degree in Liberal Arts, Humanities, or General Studies
Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies degree programs often require heavy research and reading.Since all three programs cover a variety of fields, students should expect to read literature, theory, historical documents, and research data.
The curriculum involved in Liberal Arts, Humanities, or General Studies programs is often flexible.Students are given input into structure of their education and, aside from core classes, are allowed to choose courses that fit with their individual academic goals.
A senior project or independent study that brings together several disciplines in one cohesive perspective is often a requirement of these programs.Also, students should be prepared for taking courses in science and mathematics to augment their coursework.
Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies Careers
Graduates of Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies programs find jobs in a variety of fields.Popular careers for graduates are often found in education, publishing, journalism, tourism, and politics.
History of Interdisciplinary StudiesBefore modern universities separated disciplines into different departments, these subjects were studied in conjunction. In their study of the seven liberal arts (Grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music), the ancient Greeks practiced interdisciplinary studies.As we now know them, Interdisciplinary Studies are an effort to synthesize multiple perspectives in order to better understand subjects that are neglected when studied from only one perspective.Examples include Women Studies and African-American Studies.Many Interdisciplinary Studies program were created to address a discipline that has been neglected or poorly represented.The Interdisciplinary Studies ProgramThe Interdisciplinary Studies Program incorporates a variety of fields into one broad program.Often students are allowed to design their own programs.Under the supervision of an advisor, students add courses of their own choosing from multiple disciplines to the interdisciplinary core courses arranged by the department.Students are taught to merge multiple perspectives of one subject into a cohesive approach.Students of an Interdisciplinary Studies program engage in research projects, extensive reading including works of literature and works of theory, and analytical assignments.Related college programs include Social Science, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and General Studies programs.These programs all encourage learning across disciplines and often allow students the freedom constructing their own curriculum in addition to core classes.Interdisciplinary Studies CollegesMany campus colleges and online colleges have developed Interdisciplinary Studies programs.Grand Valley State University offers an Interdisciplinary Studies program that offers both online and campus courses.University of Maryland University College offers a MSM in Interdisciplinary Studies, and Cardean University’s Bachelor of Art in Interdisciplinary Studies can be earned one-hundred percent online.Careers in Interdisciplinary StudiesThe broad nature of a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies prepares students for a wide variety of careers.The reading, research, analytical demands of this program prepares gradates for careers in media, publishing, journalism, and education.Also, the nature of the program instills problem-solving skills that are valuable in practically any career.However, because Interdisciplinary Studies do not provide a specific focus, students who have an idea of their career goals should consider an internship or a volunteer program in the field of their interest.
Siena College awards Bachelor's degrees in a variety of disciplines including liberal arts, sciences, and professional programs. They also offer advanced degrees such as Master's and Doctoral degrees in select fields.
Many of the denominational liberal arts colleges founded as a result of the Second Great Awakening were established with the goal of combining education with religious values and moral teachings. These colleges sought to provide a well-rounded education that integrated faith with academics, and they often emphasized service, social justice, and community engagement. Some examples include Oberlin College, founded by Presbyterian ministers in Ohio, and Mount Holyoke College, founded by Mary Lyon in Massachusetts.
Humanists emphasize the importance of reason, critical thinking, and evidence-based understanding in approaching and solving problems. They also value human potential, ethical behavior, and the pursuit of meaning and fulfillment in life without relying on supernatural beliefs.
Meg Cabot studied studio arts at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
Yes, there are colleges and universities that offer doctoraal degrees particular to Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities: General instructional programs and independent or individualized studies in the liberal arts subjects, the humanities disciplines and the general curriculum.
What are Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies?Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies are all interdisciplinary college programs that allow students to study across multiple departments.A student earning a degree in Liberal Arts, Humanities, or General Studies is likely to take classes in history, English, anthropology, and philosophy in the course of one degree program.These departments operate on the philosophy that many perspectives may be taken to approach a topic.Also, students of these programs generally believe in the value of a broad education as opposed to specialized training in one field.How do Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies differ?In many cases differences between Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies programs are semantic.However, General Studies Colleges are generally for students who have delayed or interrupted their college education.Students of a General Studies College are often considered non-traditional and may attend night or weekend classes.The Liberal Arts originate from seven liberal arts studied by the ancient Greeks and medieval universities, but have become so broad as to be nearly indistinguishable from a Humanities program. Unlike students of Liberal Arts who have a choice of earning a general Liberal Arts degree or majoring in one of the disciplines under the Liberal Arts umbrella, Humanities students take classes in a Humanities department, but earn a degree in English, foreign language, philosophy, etc.Earning a degree in Liberal Arts, Humanities, or General StudiesLiberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies degree programs often require heavy research and reading.Since all three programs cover a variety of fields, students should expect to read literature, theory, historical documents, and research data.The curriculum involved in Liberal Arts, Humanities, or General Studies programs is often flexible.Students are given input into structure of their education and, aside from core classes, are allowed to choose courses that fit with their individual academic goals.A senior project or independent study that brings together several disciplines in one cohesive perspective is often a requirement of these programs.Also, students should be prepared for taking courses in science and mathematics to augment their coursework.Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies CareersGraduates of Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies programs find jobs in a variety of fields.Popular careers for graduates are often found in education, publishing, journalism, tourism, and politics.
What are Liberal Arts and Humanities?Liberal Arts and Humanities are college degree programs that emphasize a broad study across disciplines.As defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica, a college or university with a liberal arts and humanities has the goal of “imparting general knowledge and developing intellectual capacities, in contrast to a professional, vocation, or technical curriculum.”Liberal Arts and Humanities encompass literature, history, foreign languages, philosophy, and art.Humanities departments usually have a focus on the human condition and may include anthropology, geography, and cultural studies programs.Some colleges include Humanities within the study of Liberal Arts.These colleges generally consider Liberal Arts the study of three disciplines: the humanities (history, literature, language, art, and history), social sciences (anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, social studies, and sociology), and the study of science and mathematics.The Liberal Arts and Humanities StudentStudents of Liberal Arts and Humanities seek a flexible program that allows them to engage with several disciplines and explore multiple perspectives.The best Liberal Arts and Humanities students enjoy dense reading, extensive research, and public speaking.Students follow, and in many cases are allowed to construct, a curriculum that provides study across the broad spectrum of disciplines that emphasize critical thinking and analytical skills.After a few semesters of studies some students may want to narrow their major down to a specific discipline within the Liberal Arts and Humanities department.Majoring in a specific field, or adding a minor may be helpful when entering the job market after graduation.Liberal Arts and Humanities CareersA degree in Liberal Arts and Humanities lends itself to many careers.Those involving research or writing such as publishing, education, media, and journalism are usually a good fit for graduates.Liberal Arts and Humanities CollegesDegree programs in Liberal Arts and Humanities are among the most popular.As a result, they are offered at most traditional colleges as well as through online colleges.A degree in Liberal Arts and Humanities can be earned completely online through Boston University, Florida Tech, St. Leo University, and Ivy Bridge colleges.These are just a few of the many online colleges offering a Liberal Arts and Humanities degree program with all the convenience of a virtual campus.
The liberal arts education began in the Middle Ages and characterized the topics studies by freemen.Philosophy and theology were at the heart of the liberal arts education.The Middle Ages liberal arts education can be described as the study of language (rhetoric, grammar, and the dialectic), and the study of mathematics (geometry, arithmetic, astronomy, and music).The modern Liberal Arts and Humanities program has developed out of these courses of study and includes theology, literature, languages, philosophy, history, mathematics and science. Liberal arts and humanities colleges are generally smaller schools with higher faculty- to-student ratios.While larger universities employ graduate students as teaching assistants, liberal arts and humanities colleges emphasize faculty and student interaction. Though liberal arts are broad, students who attend liberal arts colleges can narrow their degree program to a one of a variety of Humanities fields including but not limited to: American Studies, Communications, Fine Arts, Literature, Classical Studies, Archaeology, Journalism, Environmental Science, Government and Public Policy, and Classical Studies. Some students of the liberal arts do not narrow their focus and earn a Liberal Arts or a General Studies degree. These students are generally planning to attend graduate programs or Degree programs in Liberal Arts and Humanities, which focus on producing well-rounded students.Often, writing, researching, and critical thinking skills are emphasized.Graduates generally take courses along a broad spectrum, and walk away with a thorough understanding of social sciences, natural sciences, fine art, religion, and the interconnectedness of the humanities. Associates degrees and bachelor degrees in Liberal Arts and Humanities are offered at many colleges.Online colleges often provide one-hundred percent online degree programs in Liberal Arts and Humanities.St. Leo University and Florida Tech offer an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts, while Ivy Bridge College and Regent University offer a related associate’s degree in General Studies.Boston University offers a Bachelor of Liberal Arts, and Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management and Liberal Studies.Duquesne University has a Master of Art in Leadership and Liberal Studies.These programs give students the flexibility of a Liberal Arts and Humanities degree as well as the convenience of online courses and virtual campuses. Students with Liberal Arts and Humanities degree can enter careers across a broad spectrum.Graduates are often hired by newspapers, non-profit organizations, museums, marketing companies, research programs, libraries, and publishing companies.
There are several major course of studies in general. They can be English, mathematics, science, arts, humanities, music, sociology, and more.
The associates in general studies has to be either an arts or science degree. You cannot just have a degree in general studies. Typically this type of degree is usually referred to as a liberal arts degree (AA).
The potency difference of a liberal arts degree and a general studies degree is that the liberal arts degree covers the subjects or skills that were considered essential for a free person to know so as to take an active part in the civic life while General Studies Degree covers the basics of the university education.
The curriculum of general studies includes fine arts, literature, humanities, mathematics, natural science, history, and social and behavioral science.
humanities is the appreciation of arts,nature,and how you express your feelings through arts.
Typically, it is a bachelor of arts degree (BA). It most often is referred to as a liberal arts major.
The degree is typically referred to as liberal arts, or liberal studies. This degree has a balance of English composition, foreign language, math, laboratory science, computer technology, humanities, social science, and a number of free electives. In general, it is designed as a transfer program to a four year college or university, and completes the first two years of that institutions general cluster requirements.
Courses one must take to be considered a master of general studies are Bachelor - Liberal Arts and Bachelor - History.