Today the L&SCC began a discussion about the possible addition of a Bachelor of Liberal Arts or similar program, in the wake of the creation of a similar program at UW Eau Claire. Below are the notes from the discussion, and further steps are still to be determined.
Would it be beneficial to a group of students to have a Bachelors of L&S/Liberal Studies, broad liberal studies curriculum as opposed to majoring in a particular discipline?
o Why force specialization at Undergrad when trying to get students to think broadly?
o Role of ILS program (certificate option but no major)
o Honors program
o Senior Thesis option
o Do you lose depth with the focus on breadth?
o Possibility to build on existing programs
o More flexibility = more guidance needed? Students looking for what their education is about, how they can combine interests. Finding courses that combine well, about interaction and a conversation.
o Option of core curriculum? Training habits of mind rather than focusing on a discipline. Build a foundation, continue from there.
o Way to integrate traditional and non-traditional students together.
o Is our current system of majors the best system for moving people toward essential learning outcomes?
Are we just doing it because we’ve always done it?
By creating more synthesis could we better prepare students for the changing world?
o Possible bad routes
o Degrees like this popular among athletes at other institutions
• Also don’t want an online degree route collaborating w/2 yr schools.
• Possible pressure to turn it into money-raising activity, b/c just need last 30 credits here, could bring in students from elsewhere who just finish here in Liberal Studies.
