Soapy Soapbox
This semester I have many humanities classes introductory Buddhism course to African American Music as culture and American Literature. Although a political science major, I'm at a liberal arts school, meaning they require you to diverse foundational classes in math, science, English, art, and the social sciences. This type of education provides students to many different concentrations, and it also means we have several interesting cultural experiences like performing the traditional slave "Ring Dance" in my music 286 class today. It was quite a hoot! I wish you could have seen our class clapping and twirling about as we shouted "Alleluia Lord" to a slave spiritual.
Some people may think that this kind of learning is a waste of time. For example, our own North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory made it clear that he didn't believe liberal arts educations should be subsidized because they aren't going to get people jobs. To them, these kinds of experiences are more entertaining than educational, and a sound education should only be based on what is considered "marketable". But this isn't sound logic. The goal of a liberal arts education is diversity and making students aware of the opportunities found in several different academic disciplines. This means that students emerging from a liberal arts school have a diverse skills set, one that yes, may include an African Ring Dance. And a modern liberal arts education also allows for concentrations, which is is essential in our highly specialized workforce. For example, this framework lets aspiring engineers pursue a more math and science based curriculum geared towards solving industrial problems, while on the other hand allowing those interested in politics to pursue a major geared towards social problems. Lastly, in an increasingly globalized economy cultural exposure is becoming essential. People must be comfortable interacting with cultures around the globe, which makes classes like intro to Buddhism so important. Already in this course I've learned how difficult it is to even another religion outside of my Judeo-Christian understanding. And considering that of the 10 most populous nations 8 exist in that hemisphere, it's amazing that not more of these liberal arts classes are required.
Now I'll slip off the soapbox.
Signed,
EJS
Some people may think that this kind of learning is a waste of time. For example, our own North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory made it clear that he didn't believe liberal arts educations should be subsidized because they aren't going to get people jobs. To them, these kinds of experiences are more entertaining than educational, and a sound education should only be based on what is considered "marketable". But this isn't sound logic. The goal of a liberal arts education is diversity and making students aware of the opportunities found in several different academic disciplines. This means that students emerging from a liberal arts school have a diverse skills set, one that yes, may include an African Ring Dance. And a modern liberal arts education also allows for concentrations, which is is essential in our highly specialized workforce. For example, this framework lets aspiring engineers pursue a more math and science based curriculum geared towards solving industrial problems, while on the other hand allowing those interested in politics to pursue a major geared towards social problems. Lastly, in an increasingly globalized economy cultural exposure is becoming essential. People must be comfortable interacting with cultures around the globe, which makes classes like intro to Buddhism so important. Already in this course I've learned how difficult it is to even another religion outside of my Judeo-Christian understanding. And considering that of the 10 most populous nations 8 exist in that hemisphere, it's amazing that not more of these liberal arts classes are required.
Now I'll slip off the soapbox.
Signed,
EJS
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