Ryan McLaughlin
02/22/2021
English 110
M. Cripps
Pre-reading.
Looking at the I can see that obviously there is a connection with the liberal arts and critical thinking. So if I had to guess that the Liberal Arts requires you to critically think to be successful in the kind of learning technique. If I had to guess I would say that critical thinking has connections to growth mindset, growth mindset is about being open to new ideas and learning how to overcome obstacles which I think would fit in with critical thinking.
Part 1)
In the first part of the article they talk about the origins of the Liberal Arts and some of the stereotypes that people think of when they hear liberal arts. They then make a statement about how the liberal arts are dying and that the liberal arts aren’t properly appreciated. Many students today are more focused on getting a degree that will get them one specific job and don’t really do much with the liberal arts while they are in college. It’s hard to want to have a liberal arts education when you don’t really know what it is.
Part 2)
In this section of the article they talk about what the liberal arts are and some of the ways that people perceive them. One is that the liberal arts include teaching many different areas like some sciences, humanities and social science courses. Another way is they focus more on the art and social way of learning. Lastly they are perceived as focusing more on the hands on and humanities type of learning that doesn’t include the sciences but doesn’t degrade them. They continue to go into more detail about some of the courses that can be taught when part of the liberal arts.
Part 3)
The third part of the article explains the importance of the liberal arts and why it can be beneficial for students to partake in the liberal arts. The liberal arts teach valuable skills to a person that won’t just help them find a job but will also help them in other real world situations. An example of what they teach is critical thinking and citizenship, there is cultural citizenship, economic citizenship, and more. These skills are good tools to have and will help you succeed in life wherever you end up.
Part 4)
This section of the article talks about is critical thinking, what it is and how we should use it. Critical thinking is analysing an issue and using evidence gathered evaluating a situation and coming up with the best solution. Critical thinking is a major part of the liberal arts and influences more advanced intellectual thinking and problem solving. In the article they say, “Critical thinking also expands our abilities to speak, listen, write, and think, making us better learners, communicators, team members, and citizens”
Part 5)
In the last part of the article they finish up by talking about the Importance of Critical Inquiry. Critical Inquiry is, “ just a matter of analytic thinking as a formal process”. They continue by talking about how critical inquiry is important and how people fail to see it.
