Liberal Arts and Civic Education: Compatible or Conflicting?

The liberal arts, which were once thought to help students develop their character and become familiar with a common heritage, are now considered as having a more critical perspective on society and its institutions. In this episode of “The Civic Discourse Project”, delve into a thought-provoking discussion between several distinguished scholars on the topic of the tensions between liberal arts and civic education.

This engaging panel features Daniel Mahoney, Visiting Professor at SCETL, Catherine Zuckert, Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame, and Jennifer Frey, Dean of the Honors College at the University of Tulsa. The conversation examines the intricate and sometimes conflicting relationship between liberal arts education, which emphasizes broad intellectual and cultural development, and civic education, which focuses on preparing individuals for active participation in civic life. The session is skillfully moderated by Karen Taliaferro, Assistant Professor at SCETL, who guides the panelists through a rich dialogue.