WOU is a public liberal arts university, a place that infuses the benefits of liberal education into the learning of every student. Whatever area of specialty you choose, building your education on a strong liberal arts foundation will help you develop a range of attributes that employers seek and communities need. \u00a0You can expect to develop your skills in areas such as:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Critical and creative thinking<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Inquiry and analysis<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Clear and fluent written and oral communication<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Effective teamwork<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Ethical consideration and judgment<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Encompassing both the sciences and the humanities, \u201cliberal arts\u201d does not refer to a political position, nor is it shorthand for \u201csubjects that won\u2019t help you get a real job.\u201d Historically, the term derives from the Latin\u00a0<\/span>artes liberales,<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>referring to the \u201cworks befitting a free people\u201d (Random House Dictionary 2017) \u2013 knowledge of the arts, humanities, natural and social sciences, as well as how to apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios.<\/p>\n
All WOU\u2019s programs will help you develop skills that enhance your employ-ability and prepare you to make a productive livelihood. \u00a0Our focus on liberal education will also help you learn how to build a productive and meaningful\u00a0life<\/em>, working and living meaningfully as an engaged and responsible citizen in our diverse, rapidly changing community and world.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_toggle title=”Relevant Articles” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Wondering how and why a liberal arts education continues to be relevant and meaningful in our post-industrial, high-tech age? Read the interesting and informative articles below.<\/span><\/h3>\n
- \n
- Why America\u2019s obsession with (just) STEM education is dangerous (Washington Post)<\/a><\/li>\n
- In 10 years, the job market will look totally different (Washington Post)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Humanities indicators (the state of humanities in the US)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Humanities pay off down the line (Forbes Magazine)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Major decisions: \u00a0Graduates\u2019 earning growth and debt repayment (Hamilton Project)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Get your best return on investment for a liberal arts degree (US News & World Report)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- The case for a liberal arts education (CNBC)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Why businesses prefer a liberal arts education (CNBC)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- How to sell a liberal arts education (Wall Street Journal)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- STEM vs. STEAM?\u00a0 Do the arts belong? \u00a0(Education Week)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Learning is like sex \u2014 and other key reasons the liberal arts remain relevant (Washington Post)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Review: \u2018Beyond the University: Why Liberal Education Matters\u2019 by Michael S. Roth (Washington Post)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- <\/ul>\n
- Young minds in critical condition (New York Times)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- \u2018There\u2019s nothing liberal about specializing in philosophy\u2019 (The Atlantic)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Hooray for worthless education! (Salon)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- <\/ul>\n
- Close interaction with faculty who are committed to your success<\/span><\/li>\n
- Learning that extends beyond the classroom to lab, studio, field, theater or community<\/span><\/li>\n
- Opportunities to explore and prepare for careers through\u00a0internships<\/a>,\u00a0service learning<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0research experiences.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Skills strengthened by a\u00a0liberal education<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
See examples of student projects and research<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Browse original research papers, projects, artwork, performances, and upper-division course projects, presentations, and papers that were presented at this WOU\u2019s yearly<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Academic Excellence Showcase<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Explore the latest happenings in the College<\/h4>\n
- \n
- See\u00a0<\/span>latest news<\/a>\u00a0from around the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
What are The liberal arts? \u00a0What do we mean by…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"
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<\/a>\r\nWhat are The liberal arts? \u00a0What do we mean by \"Liberal education\"?<\/span><\/h3>\r\nWOU is a public liberal arts university, a place that infuses the benefits of liberal education into the learning of every student. Whatever area of specialty you choose, building your education on a strong liberal arts foundation will help you develop a range of attributes that employers seek and communities need. \u00a0You can expect to develop your skills in areas such as:\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Critical and creative thinking<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Inquiry and analysis<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Clear and fluent written and oral communication<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Effective teamwork<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Ethical consideration and judgment<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nEncompassing both the sciences and the humanities, \"liberal arts\" does not refer to a political position, nor is it shorthand for \"subjects that won't help you get a real job.\" Historically, the term derives from the Latin artes liberales,<\/em> referring to the \"works befitting a free people\" (Random House Dictionary 2017) - knowledge of the arts, humanities, natural and social sciences, as well as how to apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios.\r\n\r\nAll WOU's programs will help you develop skills that enhance your employ-ability and prepare you to make a productive livelihood. \u00a0Our focus on liberal education will also help you learn how to build a productive and meaningful\u00a0life<\/em>, working and living meaningfully as an engaged and responsible citizen in our diverse, rapidly changing community and world.\r\n
\r\n\r\n[fruitful_tabs type=\"accordion\" width=\"100%\" fit=\"false\"]\r\n[fruitful_tab title=\"Relevant Articles\"]\r\nWondering how and why a liberal arts education continues to be relevant and meaningful in our post-industrial, high-tech age? Read the interesting and informative articles below.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Why America's obsession with (just) STEM education is dangerous (Washington Post)<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
- In 10 years, the job market will look totally different (Washington Post)<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
- Humanities indicators (the state of humanities in the US)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Humanities pay off down the line (Forbes Magazine)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Major decisions: \u00a0Graduates' earning growth and debt repayment (Hamilton Project)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Get your best return on investment for a liberal arts degree (US News & World Report)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- The case for a liberal arts education (CNBC)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Why businesses prefer a liberal arts education (CNBC)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- How to sell a liberal arts education (Wall Street Journal)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- STEM vs. STEAM?\u00a0 Do the arts belong? \u00a0(Education Week)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Learning is like sex -- and other key reasons the liberal arts remain relevant (Washington Post)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Review: \u2018Beyond the University: Why Liberal Education Matters\u2019 by Michael S. Roth (Washington Post)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Why the liberal arts matter (CNN)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Young minds in critical condition (New York Times)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- \u2018There\u2019s nothing liberal about specializing in philosophy\u2019 (The Atlantic)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Hooray for worthless education! (Salon)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- How the liberal arts build entrepreneurial muscle (Hechinger Report)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Is college for getting a job or finding one\u2019s passion?\u00a0 (Oregon Stater Magazine)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- The enduring relevance of a liberal arts education (Hechinger Report)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n[\/fruitful_tab]\r\n[fruitful_tab title=\"Why a Liberal Arts Education May be for You\"]\r\n
We are right for you if you are looking for:<\/span><\/h5>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Close interaction with faculty who are committed to your success<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
- Learning that extends beyond the classroom to lab, studio, field, theater or community<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
- Opportunities to explore and prepare for careers through internships<\/a>, service learning<\/a> and research experiences.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
- Skills strengthened by a liberal education<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
See examples of student projects and research<\/h4>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Browse original research papers, projects, artwork, performances, and upper-division course projects, presentations, and papers that were presented at this WOU's yearly<\/span> Academic Excellence Showcase<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
Explore the latest happenings in the College<\/h4>\r\n
- Learning that extends beyond the classroom to lab, studio, field, theater or community<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
- Close interaction with faculty who are committed to your success<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
- The enduring relevance of a liberal arts education (Hechinger Report)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n[\/fruitful_tab]\r\n[fruitful_tab title=\"Why a Liberal Arts Education May be for You\"]\r\n
- Is college for getting a job or finding one\u2019s passion?\u00a0 (Oregon Stater Magazine)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- How the liberal arts build entrepreneurial muscle (Hechinger Report)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- Hooray for worthless education! (Salon)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- \u2018There\u2019s nothing liberal about specializing in philosophy\u2019 (The Atlantic)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- Young minds in critical condition (New York Times)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- Why the liberal arts matter (CNN)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- Review: \u2018Beyond the University: Why Liberal Education Matters\u2019 by Michael S. Roth (Washington Post)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- Learning is like sex -- and other key reasons the liberal arts remain relevant (Washington Post)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- STEM vs. STEAM?\u00a0 Do the arts belong? \u00a0(Education Week)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- How to sell a liberal arts education (Wall Street Journal)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- Why businesses prefer a liberal arts education (CNBC)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- The case for a liberal arts education (CNBC)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- Get your best return on investment for a liberal arts degree (US News & World Report)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- Major decisions: \u00a0Graduates' earning growth and debt repayment (Hamilton Project)<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
- In 10 years, the job market will look totally different (Washington Post)<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
- Inquiry and analysis<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Critical and creative thinking<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- See\u00a0<\/span>latest news<\/a>\u00a0from around the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Learning that extends beyond the classroom to lab, studio, field, theater or community<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/ul>\n
[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Why a Liberal Arts Education May be for You” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
We are right for you if you are looking for:<\/h2>\n
- \n
- Close interaction with faculty who are committed to your success<\/span><\/li>\n
- Hooray for worthless education! (Salon)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \u2018There\u2019s nothing liberal about specializing in philosophy\u2019 (The Atlantic)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- Young minds in critical condition (New York Times)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Review: \u2018Beyond the University: Why Liberal Education Matters\u2019 by Michael S. Roth (Washington Post)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Learning is like sex \u2014 and other key reasons the liberal arts remain relevant (Washington Post)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- STEM vs. STEAM?\u00a0 Do the arts belong? \u00a0(Education Week)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- How to sell a liberal arts education (Wall Street Journal)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Why businesses prefer a liberal arts education (CNBC)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- The case for a liberal arts education (CNBC)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Get your best return on investment for a liberal arts degree (US News & World Report)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Major decisions: \u00a0Graduates\u2019 earning growth and debt repayment (Hamilton Project)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- In 10 years, the job market will look totally different (Washington Post)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Inquiry and analysis<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n