Aspects of General Education

A general education at the undergraduate level is also known as a liberal arts concentration. Students pursue several courses in a particular subject as a major. Oftentimes a second subject is chosen as a minor, for which students take a smaller number of courses. Sometimes the major and minor are related, as in writing and English. Other combinations of major and minor are completely unrelated, as in music and chemistry. The humanities play a major role in a general education. Most four-year colleges and universities offer a liberal arts curriculum as either a major portion or all of their available coursework. Many two-year institutions also offer a liberal arts curriculum as an option for those students who wish to transfer to a four-year college or university.
 

Advantages of General Education

Mortimer Adler was a 20th-century philosopher and educator and the author of the highly influential book "How to Read a Book." Adler promoted a "Great Books" and "Great Ideas" curriculum, which emphasizes the study of classical literature and critical thought. Adler believed that a general education was the best preparation for both work and life, arguing that it gives students the skills to be better citizens and better people. Besides providing a well-rounded course of study, a general education builds a foundation for more specialized study later. A general education can also impart skills--such as writing and critical thinking--that are valuable in nearly any workplace. Depending on the major subject, a general education can also provide practical preparation for the workplace.