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