Liberal education has long been considered a distinctly American tradition. It manifests in small liberal arts colleges, general education programs, and schools of arts and science at major research universities. In the recent decade, however, interest in liberal education has spread beyond the United States.
Today, liberal education programs exist in The Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Japan, Egypt, China, Hong Kong, Ghana, Russia, Poland, Bangladesh, and many other parts of the world. In stark contrast to education that traditionally focused on occupational preparation and specialized study, these countries are experimenting with a curriculum that strives to provide both breadth and depth of subject matter, critical thinking and analytical skills, and a more interdisciplinary holistic approach to teaching and student development.
The development of liberal education in these new, non-American contexts raises critical questions for educationalists, scholars, faculty, students, and policy makers: Why is liberal education emerging at this time? What are the challenges of establishing and maintaining programs with a liberal philosophy in regions where little precedent exists? What is the purpose of these programs; what role does higher education play in various societies? What and how is knowledge conveyed? How do changes to education policy and approach reflect our global evolution from an industrial to a knowledge economy? What can the United States with its long tradition in liberal education learn from countries where new programs and evolving philosophies are being developed?
This lecture takes place at Boston College in Boston, Massachusetts on 14 April. Participation by invitation only.
