The term “liberal arts” refers to a grouping of disciplines that, in Western culture, are considered essential for adequate education and civic participation: the Humanities (Arts, English, Foreign Languages, History, and Philosophy), the Social Sciences (Anthropology, Communication, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Women’s Studies), the Sciences (Biology, Geology, and Physics), and Mathematics.

The ancient Greeks established the importance of a liberal arts foundation to an educated citizenry, and ever since then universities like UMD have committed themselves to a liberal arts education for every student.

A liberal arts foundation will teach you to analyze and interpret information, to form and express informed opinions, to communicate effectively, to appreciate the richness of a diverse human culture, and to better understand human nature and society. Although some worry that the liberal arts do not train students in a specific vocation like accounting or engineering, virtually everyone acknowledges the benefits that come from teaching people how to think, to reason, to speak, to write, and to participate. Indeed, I cannot think of one profession that does not depend on employees who can think, reason, speak, write, and participate!

The College of Liberal Arts offers a full complement of liberal arts fields of study. I believe there is something here for everyone, and invite you to consider and explore.