1. After reading the CORE I believe a liberal arts education is based on balance. I think this article is going to challenge why some people believe that a liberal arts education isn’t worth the money or time. The purpose of the liberal arts is to learn skills that can be applied to all subjects and careers.
2. One of the misconceptions Ungar challenges in this article is that a liberal arts degree is a luxury, and there are better educational options. While Ungar acknowledges that some families are indeed struggling to pay for college, it is ridiculous to believe that a “career education” is the only possibility. I would not say I come from a family of wealth, yet I am here at UNE and I wholeheartedly believe I deserve this education. Ungar argues that the “future demands of citizenship will require not narrow technical or job-focused training, but rather a subtle understanding of the complex influences that shape the world.” I believe in this sentence Ungar is referring to globalization, and the changing way in which the world is connected. It is becoming more apparent that we need citizens who are capable of understanding, formulating effective arguments and solutions. We need innovators and thinkers. Recently I saw a HP ad on Hulu that was asking people to come join their team of “innovators.” More than ever, that is what education must be about.

Another misconception that Ungar speaks on is that the liberal arts are “particularly irrelevant for low-income and first-generation students.” As Ungar replies, “it is condescending to imply that those who have less cannot understand and appreciate the finer elements of knowledge.” Once again, I make this personal. I do not come from a wealthy family. My parents are divorced, my home got foreclosed on, and I am here only because of financial aid. To imply that I don’t belong here undermines my abilities and my right to an education. As Ungar says, “that is just a form of prejudice.” Students that don’t come from higher status are able to, as Ungar states, “catch up quickly,” and become original and inventive students. Therefore, there really is no argument that low class students don’t belong here.

The 3rd misconception that Ungar discusses is that a liberal education is somehow tied to politics, and since it is the liberal Democrats that have gotten this country into trouble, it’s ridiculous to continue to indoctrinate young people with a liberal education. Ungar challenges this by saying, “a liberal education… has nothing whatsoever to do with politics.” Liberal arts is a way of learning and approaching the world and its complex issues, it has no relation to politics. Ungar even goes as far to say that because of the liberal arts inclusiveness and respect for classic traditions, the “liberal arts could properly be described as a conservative approach to preparation for life.” While this may seem controversial, liberal arts is proven to promote the idea of listening, and having calm and balanced dialogues. Ungar says, “it may be only liberal education that can help lead the way back to comity and respectful conversation.” After bearing witness to multiple presidential debates, I can easily say that our country needs more liberal education.

Lastly, Ungar challenges that the STEM fields are where the “action” is. Ungar says to this, “the liberal arts encompass the broadest possible range of disciplines.” This means that the liberal arts include disciplines in natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences. That is why our school is a college of the arts AND sciences. There is more to an education than math. This also means that jobs are looking for more than just a “math” education. The liberal arts is about balance, and it encompasses all areas of learning.

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