Robert Harris On The Purpose Of A Liberal Arts Education

807 Words4 Pages
A Life with a Liberal Arts Education As a freshman choosing a major at a liberal arts university, many students wonder why they are required to take literature if they want to major in business or why they have to take math if they want to major in theatre. Author, Robert Harris, in his essay “On the Purpose of a Liberal Arts Education,” published in 1991, answers these questions. Harris gives much evidence to support his idea that acquiring a liberal arts education is valuable. An experienced writer and professor, he was influenced to write this essay by the ideas of Newman in a lecture he gave students’ in 1854 at Oxford. Robert Harris contends that a liberal arts education teaches students how to think, how to learn,…show more content…
Students may run into problems in school, for example, difficulty with attention, concentration, and deciding what is important – a liberal arts education will make these things easier. Secondly, Harris points out that students will be able to think for themselves, by helping students evaluate and create their own beliefs, ideas, and values. The ability to think independently sets students apart in job interviews and enhances success in all areas of life. Because students are required to take many different courses, students will be able to see the relationships between other classes and life. Lastly, Harris addresses that a liberal arts education can help learners understand the world. Even when traumatic events become confusing, the knowledge that is taught in these classes will help students break down the ideas that are difficult to understand. After taking liberal arts classes, students will be able to apply the knowledge and skills to their everyday life and jobs. In the second main point, Harris emphasizes that a liberal arts education teaches students how to learn. Initially, he compares college to a telescope, meaning…show more content…
Lastly, a liberal arts education will enhance learners’ creativity by introducing and fostering new information and individualism. Thinking creativiely students will not only help students in the classroom, but also throughout life. Harris thirdly illustrates that a liberal arts education will allow students to see things as a whole. It is important to see things as a whole, because students will be able to step back from their work and lives to be more discerning, make wise choices, and to take wise action. Firstly, Harris contends that a liberal arts education will give the knowledge and skills for every other class they take, especially within the major they choose. Secondly, Harris claims that a liberal arts education is a map of the universe. This means that with taking these classes, learners will not only be able to make connections with other classes, but also through life. Having a well-rounded education will show students relationships in other classes in how students think and learn. Lastly, Harris asserts that life itself is a whole, not divided into majors, meaning that life requires knowledge in every field of study not just one specific one. Students using
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    For 25 years, Robert Harris a writer and educator has spent his time teaching at the college and university level. He wrote the article, “On the Purpose of a Liberal Arts Education” in 1991. He based many of his ideas on John Henry Cardinal Newman’s work entitles The Idea of a University. According to the author, many students are surprised at the general education classes. Students wonder why someone should study subjects that have nothing directly to do with those fields. Why should students study

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