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the college student is always striving and
searching for something, and whether consciously of
unconsciously, he isn't always certain just what it
is. each is searching for something different and
each goes about it in a different way. what we are
seeking is a happier, richer life., and by the help
of a liberal arts college we hope to be able to
find a richer life, with relative security based
upon our knowledge and ability to meet all
situations. there are many definition of our system
o liberal arts and some philosophers and educators
even say it is not a real education at all.
presumably, a liberal arts course will send us out
of the university in four years, capable of
thinking rationally, reading clearly and critically
and without prejudices ; well prepared to assume
leading and responsible positions in our
communities, as active and useful citizens. having
had this liberal education, and through living with
a variety of people, we will naturally be concerned
with our fellow man, doing all we can to help the
poor, combat prejudice, and teach people, by doing,
to live unselfishly. we will stress individuality,
and the significance and benefits of higher
education, without being arrogantly superior about
it.
but here the whole fine picture is shattered.
because we ourselves are individual human beings,
we are not always considerate of our fellow man,
and because we are concerned with ourselves first
of all, we become selfish. being selfish is being
narrow-minded, and we then become incapable of
thinking clearly and understanding the overall
purpose of a liberal education. to achieve this
liberal education, we take a variety of courses,
under the system of basic skills and core courses.
we study government and history to become
intelligent, informed citizens. while training for
our vocation, we study art, literature, music or
the theatre. physical education is obviously
necessary for our greater enjoyment of the outdoors
and recreation for our leisure time. interspersed
with courses of biology, physics, chemistry or
geology are many campus activities which are
essential in the creation of a well-rounded college
graduate.
so we attend college for four years - attending
and cutting classes as we please - griping if we
are required to attend class, studying as little as
possible, and just never finding time to pursue
unassigned reading, yet still having time for
parties , picnics, and "beer busts". we gripe about
core courses and basic skills, prerequisites and
required courses ; too many exams and dull
teachers. nevertheless, these direct us in our
search for a broad educational background., and
what are we here for ? why do we struggle to attend
college ? we have a duty - to use this experience
to advantage for enriching our lives. but this
first duty is essentially a selfish one, and we
must go on form there, using it to better our
world, by creating beauty or furthering the study
and appreciation of beauty. that's why we study
art, music an literature ; government, sociology
and psychology.
we expect this liberal equation to be poured
over us, so we may passively accept it. do we hate
learning so much that no-cut rules must be enforced
to prevent excessive absences ? much of the
material we study could be studied without
attending classes - many great people have done it
- but why not attend, since we are here in a
college which uses this system ? the teachers are
there to guide our effort into the worthwhile paths
which will mean the most to us.
to a certain extent, that's what a liberal
education is - feeling about on our own - under the
direction of those wiser than we. since most of us
are uncertain about our future, and searching about
for a philosophy of life, we should take advantage
of all aspects of our culture, studying others'
analyses and philosophies of life. history tells us
why a nation acts as it does, while psychology
reveals individual reaction and background.
religion and science are strong conflicting forces
in our society, which have been responsible for
great literature, wars and complete changes in
civilization. music is a force which, although not
inspiring nations, has moved men to do great
things.
we won't all be great men and women, but these
things which we study in a liberal arts curriculum
bring us to a greater understanding of the world we
live in. and from this understanding, we may find
what we are seeking - a happier and richer
life.
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