“The New Liberal Arts” Sanford Ungar - Collaborative Summary Sanford J. Ungar was the president of Goucher College, located in Baltimore, Maryland. He wrote this essay to debunk common misperceptions about liberal arts colleges and the education provided by them. The first misperception he confronts is the idea that a liberal arts education has become far too expensive for most families to afford; therefore, it would be better if potential students focused on education specific to their desired career. Ungar argues that this is not the case. He asserts that it is better for young people to have a well-rounded liberal arts education that will prepare them for a plethora of career paths rather than having an education based solely on one career
The New Liberal Arts- Summary In the article, “The New Liberal Arts,” author Sanford J. Ungar addresses several misperceptions that people have about the importance of Liberal arts education in today’s world. In doing so, he highlights seven misperceptions that people have and then provides a logical correction to them. In his article, the first misperception claims that people should focus more on career education rather than liberal arts education. On contrary, Ungar argues that the society today, demand individual’s who have preparation in all fields, which liberal arts provide.
For instance Ungar has this to say about students receiving a liberal arts education, “They come to terms with complexity and diversity, and otherwise devise means to solve problems-rather than just complaining about them. They develop patterns to help them understand how to keep learning for the rest of their days” (232). Although I agree a liberal arts education can accomplish that, a person can also learn that through a job, in Mike Rose’s “Blue Collar Brilliance” he speaks of his mother, who dropped out of school in 7th grade (275). Without having an education Rose’s mother became a waitress, though her job seems simple it is not, she had to assess her duties at the restaurant and determine what order would help her accomplish her tasks in a timely fashion. Rose’s mother also had to deduce the moods and needs of each and every customer, according to Rose “her tip depended on how well she responded to these needs, and so she became adept at reading social cues and managing feelings, both the customers’ and her own” (275).
In his article, “The New Liberal Arts,” Sanford J Ungar argues that a Liberal Arts degree can help one become a more creative, well-rounded person. Common misconceptions based off of perceived value of liberal arts, the cost of getting an education in such, and politics of liberal Democrats contend otherwise, but each of these are refuted. In Ungar’s opinion the first argument against liberal arts, that it has no value, is disproven because liberal arts inspires creativity. This aids students in their chosen career, whether it be in the arts or the sciences, by helping them think in different ways. Furthermore, by being able to think in divergent ways they are more attractive to potential employers.
A number of American policymakers have come to scrutinize liberal arts education. They say that the liberal arts are dead, that it’s an irrelevant field to pursue, especially if students come from a low-income family; that they will not get a good job with a liberal arts degree. Sanford J. Ungar responds to these claims in his essay, “The New Liberal Arts”. Misperception No. 2 in “The New Liberal Arts” says that “College graduates are finding it harder to get good jobs with liberal arts degrees” (228).
As we participate in liberal arts we accelerate in our learnings and opportunities. In order to pay to go to a college, to either participate in liberal arts or not, we need money to get
Ungar in his work The New Liberal Arts highlights seven misconceptions of Liberal Arts degrees from the point of view as a Liberal Arts College President. The misconceptions he discusses range from an economic, social and political standpoint. Misconception number one states the argument that Liberal Arts degrees have become too expensive for most working class families, however Ungar argues these degrees make for a well-rounded individual, thus creating a long term investment in oneself that focuses on collaboration and oral and written communication. Next, Misconception two states fresh graduates sport a difficulty finding jobs, but this is not due specifically to their field of study. In fact, Ungar states that most employers look for a Liberal Arts degree in recent graduates for critical thinking and problem solving skills to be used in the workforce.
The article, “Why we undervalue a liberal arts education” By Adam Chapnick written on March 6, 2013 is informative and insightful because the author talks about the importance of not undervaluing liberal arts. Chapnick tells you that at the end of the day science, technology, engineering and mathematics is what is really important. One of Adam Chapnick main idea is that the large public does not get the value of liberal arts. That it has no money value, it is just important.
Reich supports this claim that not everyone can succeed in a four-year liberal arts college by bringing up three key problems: financial instability, lack of employment, and eventual obsolete education due to four-year liberal arts degrees.. Reich believes the main cause these issues are experienced by students are because of lack of awareness of gateways and the fact that very few gateways are opened to students. Reich argues that another gateway for success that won’t cause financial instability is to pursue technician jobs. In order to achieve mastery over technical knowledge only two years of study at a community college is required which can lead to a preference for students versus a four-year liberal arts college because of extremely low cost and time. Reich also believes that since technology is constantly changing specific knowledge from a four-year liberal arts college may become obsolete.
In the articled titled “The New Liberal Arts” author Sanford J. Ungar states the importance of a liberal arts education and offers his critique on the common misconceptions surrounding them. Ungar offers his viewpoints on a variety of issues surrounding liberal arts educations including, the cost of the education, the usefulness of the degree, and the advantages of a post secondary education. While many people think liberal arts degrees are not worth the cost, Ungar suggests they can end up being less expensive than other larger public universities. He even claims they may be a better investment in the long run because a liberal arts education prepares you with a wide breadth of knowledge compared to a “Career Education.” Ungar also emphasizes
Ungar writes to correct false stereotypes of liberal arts education and asserts that liberal arts will create well-rounded students armed to achieve success. Wallace declares that liberal arts instead provides human value through creating graduates able to think differently outside of the natural human tendency, not graduates with more value through experience in more fields as Ungar sees it. Although Wallace does not disprove Ungar, I support his perspective that what a liberal arts education provides is more than what meets the eye. Graduates of liberal arts may be able to claim that they were provided with experience in several areas, but this does not guarantee to the employer that they are strong and valuable still in those areas. What can be guaranteed, however, is that a liberal arts graduate is well prepared to control how and what they think—as Wallace Describes—regardless of content they are able to recall from their schooling and put into practice.
I have a wide array of academic interests and love to be challenged, and I work best when I have material that requires thorough contemplation before reaching a conclusion. A liberal arts education will give me the opportunity to gain a foundational knowledge of a diverse range of subjects, and will allow me to learn for the sake of learning. So often I see students fall into the trap of seeking a degree solely for the paycheck, and that is not what I intend to do at Covenant College. I want to pursue Music Education while also exploring my interests in writing and the sciences, and a liberal arts education will grant me that
I am confident that with a B.A. degree and my broad range of knowledge, I will have flexibility if I choose to pursue a different career. Employers will also realize that someone with a liberal arts degree has that range of knowledge of different subjects. Murray believes that “most students go to college to acquire
Zuhei. M GLPO Spring Essay This is second semester soon to be a senior, it's nerve wrecking but exciting at the same time. Throughout my second semester I have grown in investigating the world and communicate ideas and grown my knowledge and College Career Readiness as a student. This semester has me stressed more than I have before, so stressed about AP exams and college readiness.
The heart of New York City is New York University. By joining the network of NYU, I will be able to study at an institution that has a long tradition of academic excellence among private universities in the United States. Additionally, I will be able to be part of an internationally recognized learning network with locations all across the globe. It would be a pleasure to study at a globally recognized university. A friend of mine who is a recent graduate from NYU College of Nursing has praised the program and conveyed to me a very positive experience.
