This Pathway, by exploring the meaning of the liberal arts from its historical origins to the present, will allow students to make informed assessments of the continuing relevance of the liberal arts as a model for higher education and engaged citizenship. What does it mean to say that Connecticut College is a liberal arts college? Where does this model come from? What is its significance today and what might it look like a century from now? By requiring students to engage with disciplines represented by the seven traditional areas of the liberal arts, this Pathway offers students the opportunity to take part in the liberal arts tradition while critically examining it.
Thematic Inquiry
An opening question for the course will be: “What does the liberal arts mean? Why did I choose to attend a liberal arts college?” The course will culminate with students stating their animating questions and proposing their future Curricular Itinerary and Global/Local Engagement. The overall purpose of the course is to provide a thoughtful and unified introduction to the liberal arts, from which students will branch out to consider a wide variety of disciplines and animating questions.
Representative animating questions:
- What does one need to know to be a free person?
- What is the relationship between the arts and sciences?
- What are the social implications of providing a liberal arts education?
- Is the liberal arts constrained by its Western origins?
Required Course
Curricular Itinerary Courses
EXAMPLE Req List
Global-Local Engagement
Study Away
As the Pathway intends to provide opportunities for comparative study, students may also seek out study away opportunities across the globe that provide engagement with global antiquity and contemporary concerns, such as exploring the sciences in Northern Africa, Mexico, and Peru. Current identified options include College Year in Athens and Morningside and Boya Colleges in China, as well as a possible TRIP to Sicily.
Internships
Students may identify internships that assist them in understanding the foundations or uses of liberal arts knowledge. Possibilities include hospitals, museums, governmental institutions, and research opportunities with colleagues in the liberal arts.
Community-Based Learning
Pathway faculty will work with OVCS and other campus resources to identify and develop appropriate community-based learning opportunities in our courses to enhance student learning and contribute to putting the liberal arts into action. Possibilities include liberal arts day, or in local schools, or admissions open house; astronomy public open houses, or in local schools; public performances, music or theater, perhaps in local schools; classical or comparative mythology day in local schools; student teaching; Costumes; Slater Art Museum/Lyman Allyn docent; arboretum outreach; architectural tours of New London (New London Landmarks); Flock Theater; graveyard analysis, tours; history of New London courthouse.
Required Course
Senior Reflection
Required Course