Higher Education and the Liberal Arts: Mission, Structure and Trends

Abstract

This course will examine the distinct roles of residential liberal arts colleges in the United\ud States, the current structure and practices of liberal arts colleges, and the future of this type\ud of undergraduate education in the United States. The course will include a focus on the\ud major challenges and opportunities in higher education, such as finances and affordability,\ud information technology, expanding regulation, and shifting demographics. Students will\ud acquire an understanding of the mission of the liberal arts, how that mission is\ud communicated and expressed, and how the mission and practices may be changing in the\ud current environment. Material will include books and essays, case studies, and selected\ud discussion with distinguished experts on selected topics