Today in class, we talked about the value of classes in the arts, such as dance and orchestra, as opposed to the value of technical classes such as math and science. The general consensus was that both groups of classes are very important to the development of students in many different ways. However, our educational system in the united states clearly values the technical classes, where a definite test and grade be given afterwards, and which better prepare you for your future career, supposedly.
This made me think of the colleges I am looking at, and what type of classes they focus upon. As I blogged about in my
earlier blog about diversity in colleges, I have started looking at colleges, and thinking about what trends appeal to me. One of the most important things to me in a college was its value on a liberal arts education. But as I thought about this ideal, I realized that I didn't really have any reasoning to back me up on my preferences. Its not like taking a class in Ancient Roman history would help prepare me for an engineering major. But yet, a liberal arts education still appealed greatly to me. But why?
I believe that the reason I value the well-rounded education a liberal arts college would give me relates a lot to my life goals. As I commented on the
An American Studies blog run by Mr. Bolos and Mr. O'Connor, my "green light", or goal, is to be able to escape the North Shore bubble I live in and experience all the diversity and treasures the rest of the world has to offer. By having an education at a Liberal Arts oriented university, I would be able to experience a lot more diversity in my education than focusing on a primarily technical course load. What are some other reasons for valuing a Liberal Arts education, or more specifically, what are some reasons for valuing arts classes such as music?
As you mentioned most schools focus on the math, science etc. types of courses. But I think what you are looking for in a college should also appear in high schools. There should at least be the opportunity to take classes such as visual art, music, and dance to see if you have an interest and want to pursue it in college and beyond that. Although many don't succeed in these careers, the few that do are truly excellent. It's like taking away athletics in high schools because so few actual play professional sports. Just because many don't do it, doesn't mean it shouldn't be an option. Also, many of these truly talented people are often our entertainment, such as dancers in the Joffrey Ballet. Without exposing kids and teens to these art forms at a young age, we could be robbing our society of the great thing.
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