Liberal Arts: A New Year, A New Degree

Eleanor Marsh provides a fresher’s insight into studying a Liberal Arts degree at Exeter

LIBERAL ARTS. I’m sure the name has already evoked many eyebrow-raising images: lots of hippies sitting in a field discussing art, to eventually achieve some sort of official qualification, something like that. But actually, it’s rather different. For anyone who is familiar with the American education system, this degree will ring a few bells. Across the pond, Liberal Arts has been an established form of teaching for a few hundred years and is still hugely popular. It is such an integral part of American culture that there is even a film called Liberal Arts, starring the ever-charming Josh Radnor (or Ted from How I Met Your Mother). I’d recommend it.

Traditionally, Liberal Arts courses generally involve a range of modules from areas across the university, and here in Exeter this is no different. As it is the first year of Liberal Arts at the University, things are still a little ‘loose’, but we are currently taking modules spanning from areas such as Archeology and Theology, to English and Film, to Languages and Statistics.

Following the American system, the degree also offers us the chance to choose a major from any subject that the University has to offer. This is really exciting for all of us: not only to secure a wide foundation of knowledge for ourselves in this first year, but later we are able to specialize in a subject that really grabs our interest. Personally, I am leaning towards English, but the majors vary from person to person.. This term will be spent taking classes for our major and experiencing all the different aspects of other subjects. The variety keeps us on our toes, meaning there is rarely a dull moment.

Truth be told there have been a few kinks in the course. However, most of these were quickly smoothed out at the beginning of term, ready for us eager first-year students to get started. It can be frustrating constantly explaining what Liberal Arts actually is – I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to recount ‘it’s a mix of humanities and social sciences’, aware that I don’t have enough energy for another explanation. Although, it is actually more than just that. We are given so many opportunities with this course, both academic and personal. Not only do we get to study a wide range of subjects, but next year we will undertake a challenging work experience program. We will also have the choice to spend a year abroad in our third year and as our course spans across the University, our choice of destinations is pretty much unlimited.

I’ve really enjoyed it, so far. Being a naturally interdisciplinary person, the range of subject areas is wonderful. Plus, I’ve had lectures from experts all over the university, each one passionate about their different subjects.

It really is an engaging and exciting course, encompassing lots of different subject areas, and it’s got a lot of things planned for the future. With universities across the country developing Liberal Arts programs, it is only a matter of time before the looks of confusion regarding the degree disappear – hallelujah! I’ve made some great friends, learnt a lot, and have got a lot of opportunities coming my way – what else could I need?

Eleanor Marsh 

 

New Liberal Arts course begins

Image credit: exeter.ac.uk

The University of Exeter have introduced a new degree programme which allows students to pursue interests across multiple disciplines.

The new Liberal Arts degree, which had its first intake this month, is targeted at ambitious students interested in arts, humanities and social sciences who don’t want to be tied to one subject.

Professor James Clark, Director of Liberal Arts at University of Exeter, said: “It’s still early days, but recruitment has far exceeded our targets in terms of student numbers, so we’re very happy and pleasantly surprised with how popular it’s been.”

Modelled on elite Liberal Arts colleges in the US, the flexible degree allows students to choose a ‘major’ subject from across humanities and social sciences; from Art History to Politics, Drama to Sociology.

The undergraduates are encouraged to follow intellectual interests via individual modules rather than entire programmes of study. Other subjects that they can take modules from include Anthropology, English and Theology. However, assuming they meet the criteria, students can study any subject from across the university to some degree, even the sciences.

The Liberal Arts programme can also function as an Integrated Masters, which means students can choose to undertake a fourth year in which they take Masters level modules and complete a research dissertation or project.

The degree is designed to prepare these students for a competitive graduate marketplace by providing emphasis on flexibility and intellect rather than an in-depth knowledge of one subject.

Professor James Clark said: “People tend not to stay in the same career for their entire working life these days, so they need skills which are transferable, and the ability to apply their intellect to all sorts of problems and situations.”

“Our aim is to develop students intellectually so they’re got the critical skills, experiences and cultural intelligence that employers are after in key sectors like consultancy, charity, the arts, the civil service and journalism; areas where you need intellectual tools and flexibility, rather than in-depth subject knowledge necessarily.”

“The end result, we hope, will be incredibly intellectually curious and well-rounded graduates, who aren’t limited by disciplinary boundaries. We think this makes much more sense with the way the modern world works and is much more in line with the knowledge and skills that many employers now require.”

For more information on the new degree or to download the brochure click here.

Giverny Masso, Online Arts Editor