Mia Alexander Assignment 4

Wow, I was actually thinking about this very question the other day. It all started when I heard an admissions counselor discuss the liberal arts at that particular college. I have a rough sense of the idea of liberal arts. Is that bad, seeing as I am a part of the Liberal Arts Academy?

I have developed a personal definition of this type of education, though. To me, liberal arts is education that the learner controls. By this I mean that the educated can be the educator, he or she takes authority over their own education. Liberal arts makes me somewhat nervous.

Sadly, I am very accustomed to the stagnant system that most high schools follow. That is, mindless listening and reiteration of someone else's (usually a person of authority) ideas rather than generating one's own.

Rather than stick with my loose definition, I looked up the internet definition of liberal arts. Honestly, I am a little embarrassed by my general definition. Oh well. Quickly typing "what is liberal arts?", .02  seconds later and a definition appears. This is not verbatim, but the quick search revealed that liberal arts is like an umbrella... covering topics like math, philosophy, art, and other non technical subjects.

Studying liberal arts, specifically literature enriches my life more than I can spell out here. For one, literature gives me perspective. I can see the world through someone else's eyes. The subjectivity may or may not be the typical pov, nonetheless it is valid. The studies enhance my mental eye as well as my spiritual eye. I am enlightened by the emotions and experiences portrayed in literature. I love being transported to other places through literature alone. Some pieces touch my soul, and that's as poetic as I can put the experience.

Studying humanities rounds out my education because I am able to learn things that are not so stagnant and cookie-cutter. Also, it can help me connect with people better which should be the ultimate goal of education right? Articulation after comprehension. 

I don't have a concise answer for how it would shape my character other than that studying humanities would help me understand myself better and realize what I do and do not like. Then, people can maybe understand me, although I like the idea of having a little mystery. 

One section of liberal arts I love is math. I may not be accurate all the time but I love math so much!

I am thankful for liberal arts for sure!

Sorry for the rant :)