School of Arts and Sciences
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN.....
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This summer I found an amazing essay by a high school senior who was getting ready for her first year of college, and she said some things that are good for us to consider as we begin a new academic year. In "Looking Back, Looking Forward, " Change (May/June 2011): 71-73, Lillian Xie, a graduating senior at Palo Alto High School, states she doesn't expect four years of higher education can possibly "teach me everything about any single subject", but she hopes her four years of college will guide her through some of the knowledge and show her "how to access and analyze more". She expects her college experience "to be less about learning a single subject from a teacher and more about learning it in the context of other subjects and current events", and that she hopes to "have experiences where the boundary line between lectures and real-world situations is blurred". She wants to be prepared to adapt and work in a world where her "future job probably doesn't exist yet". All things considered, she hopes that her college experience will turn her world "perfectly upside-down".
That's why we study liberal arts!
I believe we're already doing many of the things that Lilian Xie is hoping for in her college experience. In addition to passing on course content and skills, we seek to offer new ways of thinking and understanding. We invite students into a process of learning that will take the rest of their lives, and change the rest of their lives. Instead of just answers, we offer ways of asking and finding new questions, along with new perspectives and ways of understanding. We can share the excitement of learning and discovery. We can find new ways to "make connections" between areas of study and lived experiences of faith, work, service and relationship with others. We can question the meaning of the things we do, the priorities and actions we choose. We can also seek to make connections between who we are, and what we know, relative to the needs of the communities around us. We can be good stewards of our time, energy, and gifts. We can bring what we learn to the people we serve, as we bring their needs and concerns to the work of our classrooms. It can be all transformative, helping us all to be nimble and ready to engage in a variety of situations in our lives and work. Education can change the way we see, it can change who we're becoming, and it can change what we offer to a world that will keep on changing. As we teach and learn together we can share in a process of transformation that continues for a lifetime, not just four years, and keep on discovering experiences that turn our world "perfectly upside-down".
The Rev. Robert Slocum, J.D., D.Min., Ph.D. - Interim Dean, School of Arts and Sciences and Distinguished Lecturer
Why Arts and Sciences and why Liberal Arts?
The focus of a Liberal Arts’ degree is on interdisciplinary education. The development of a well-rounded, broad-based education has been consistently shown to be the most effective approachto achieving career goals, succeeding in advanced education and providing an overall life of satisfaction. Through the various programs offered within the School of Arts and Sciences, students learn to be creative, think critically, communicate effectively, and apply a diverse education to their everyday lives. Having a strong foundation in Liberal Arts allows students to excel in their chosen fields. Our programs of study include:
BACHELOR DEGREE PROGRAMS:
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts:
Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts:
Minors Offered:
Certificate Programs:
