Toward Liberal Arts Colleges in Asia: Some Considerations

Lily I-wen SuNational Taiwan University

STEM vs. LACsEssential subject knowledge?

More effective?

STEMScience, Tech, Engineering, Math

LACsLiberal Arts College

How diff. are they?

• an American model • private, not-for-profit colleges • smaller student populations • emphasis on undergraduate

studies in the hum & sci. • exposure to a wide range of

academic subjects

.• highlights field specialization • the highly specialized

degrees, such as informatics, robotics, and medical technology

• professional, vocational, or technical curricula

Liberal Arts Colleges (LACs)

Humanities

Sciences

What’s offered in LACs?

Teaching (College Faculty)

Liberal Arts Colleges (LACs)

Learning(Students)

Collaboration

What’s LAC like?

Trends for LACs in Asia

Liberal Arts (Colleges)

LACs vs. General Education in College

General Studies

Liberal Studies

Similar Designs

Center for General Education, NTU

General Education (Gen Ed) Requirement

General Core Curriculum

Chinese 3 credits

English (or foreign languages) 6 credits

Liberal Education Curriculum

8 areas 15 credits

(A1): Literature & Arts (A2): Historical Thinking(A3): World Civilization(A4): Philosophy & Moral Reasoning (A5): Civil Awareness & Social Analysis (A6): Quantitative Analysis & Mathematics (A7): Materials Science (A8): Life Sciences

CGE, NTU

To be liberally educated is to be transformed!—Liberal Arts Education, UC Berkeley

to bridge intellectual divides ◉

to stretch across creativity & critical thinking ◉

Inter- disciplinary

Heart of LACs & General Education

Gen Ed/ LACs

Essense of LACs & Gen Ed

• Broad general knowledge

• Transferable skills

• Effective communication

• Writing & presentation

• Academic & professional

Foundation of a Future Career

Motivates them into positions of leadership ◉

Preps students for real-life challenges ◉

Gives them adaptability in the ever-changing world ◉

LACs & Gen Ed

General Education in Taiwan

“Culture of Critical Discourse”?

◉ Is 24 credits enough for any goal?

◉ A Renaissance-inspired scheme

for future success?

◉ Feasibility of LACs in Taiwan?

Some questions to ponder