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Summary Of In Defense Of Liberal Arts By Fareed Zakaria

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The book ‘In Defense of Liberal Arts’, by Fareed Zakaria, was extremely influential. I agree with Zakaria, that Liberal Education is beneficial to society and the world today. Rather, the focus of skill-based learning and focusing on technology, Zakaria expresses his personal thoughts and values on writing, speaking, and liberated learning. I believe the liberal arts curriculum is a vital part of a college education that can shape who you are as a professional, but also who you are as a person. Critical thinking is an important aspect of any job or skill. Zakaria also states: "thinking makes you a better writer." Clear thinking skills means that someone can organize their thoughts logically and convincingly which is critical to learning …show more content…

Liberal Arts education includes courses that will be in philosophy, literature, mathematics, economics, art history, languages, etc. Rather than in applied or specific fields (The route I am currently taking). A liberal arts education is not intended to train you for one certain job, but to prepare you for the world of work giving you expert skills, including the capability to think for yourself, communicate well, and the ability for lifetime learning. In high school or college, you have possibly heard how important it is to attract an employer, or how to get a job. Classes in high school like career and life planning, etc. College Education should be able to prepare you for that. Many students today are hesitant on taking this course. Zakaria makes it clear that Liberal arts education is a smart choice in today’s society. There are many rewarding careers that one can pursue with Liberal Arts. Going into liberal arts you want to have the right mindset, making educational choices that benefit you. A liberal arts education provides you with concrete, everyday skills that employers value greatly. You will obtain skills and knowledge that are never outdated. Society today is changing day by day. Technology advances, trends change. Pursuing a narrow degree, only allowing one path may hurt you in the long run. The job you work towards now may not have the same outlook in two, …show more content…

And it can take you to the top graduate and professional schools (ivy league). ‘Programs in accounting, business, education, journalism, and law are built upon the knowledge and skills that come from fields that make up the liberal arts. Accounting and business depend upon mathematics and economics; education derives from psychology and sociology; journalism requires a knowledge of English and history; and law builds upon political science and philosophy.’ (Richard Sigurdson) My views from ‘In defense of a Liberal Education; are beneficial to enhance your knowledge, creativity and self-confidence. These skills are broader and offer more in further education and occupations. Obama himself said, “A lot of young people no longer see the trades and skilled manufacturing as a viable career, but I promise you, folks can make a lot more potentially with skilled manufacturing or the trades than they might with an art history

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In Charles Murray’s article, “Down With the Four-Year College Degree”, he discusses how he believes the four year degree is ruining college education. Murray exemplifies the ludicrousness of the four year degree when he says: Imagine that you have been made a member of a task force to design America’s post-secondary education system from scratch. One of your colleagues submits this proposal: First, we will set up a single goal to represent educational success, which will take four years to achieve no matter what is being taught. We will attach an economic reward to it that often has nothing to do with what has been learned.

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Summary In chapter three “In the defense of a Liberal Education” author Fareed Zakaria opens up what he believes to be “central virtue of liberal education”(72). He writes that it teaches one how to think critically and clearly. He explains that thinking is the stronger advantage one could have in writing well. Before writing it helps first people to think in a critical sense so work should be using simple language in a well comprehendible way.

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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.

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Choosing to learn at a university with a core in the Liberal Arts benefits me in to becoming a well-rounded adult and SLP, in the professional field I will be attending after my five years in college. Even if the classes seem immaterial now they will help me for the rest of my life, this knowledge can help not just me but everyone how studies at a liberal arts college far into the future. Yet, taking classes in religion, business, English, philosophy,

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