Nicole Amato
American Democracy Project
So, What am I Doing Here?
Essay Contest, Question 1
A liberal arts education is very valuable in today’s society but many people do not see or
understand all of the reasons why it is essential. People see the importance of a liberal arts
education as a way to achieve a bachelor’s degree, possibly move on to graduate school, and
obtain a well-paid entry-level position in the work force. Although these are true and extremely
good reasons to attend a liberal arts school, they are, in no means, the only reasons. One of the
main concepts of the liberal arts curriculum is to educate individuals in a number of different
subjects, even if the material does not necessarily pertain to the individual’s major. Some have
asked, why do students have to waste their time and money taking classes that don’t correlate to
their major? A specific example is: why should a math major or a science major be required to
take an English class? My question is why not? Everyone from teachers, lawyers, doctors, to
policemen, need to know how to write well and understand what they are reading. It may not
seem that a biology major would need to know how to produce a well-written paper, but what
happens when the student has to write labs or an analysis? Students take a wide variety of classes
and subjects because it allows them to become well-rounded individuals who are skilled in a
number of different areas. It shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing or a waste of time to be educated
and to be knowledgeable in diverse fields; a person never knows when he/she will need or use
the information that he/she has learned. Another reason that the liberal arts education is
important is because it allows students to develop into well-rounded individuals. This is
especially significant because jobs and schools look at this when they review a person’s
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application. A varied education shows that he/she can excel in numerous ways. A liberal arts
curriculum also promotes diversity and understanding of other cultures. Many classes are
provided that focus on different countries and societies, and there are a variety of students and
professors from all over the world. Ramapo College of New Jersey has numerous classes that do
just this, a few are: Social Issues, International Migration, Urban Anthropology, the countless
language courses. Not only do these courses allow students to learn about various cultures, they
also allow students to develop different perspectives as well.
Rates of civic participation, such as voting, advocacy, and local grassroots associations,
are continuing to decrease. How should society respond to this? The only way to turn this
situation around and have rates of civic participation increase is to incorporate civic
responsibility in education. People, especially the younger generations, need to be educated in
politics and they need to know how to voice their opinions. Personally, I am not engaged in civic
participation because I am uneducated about the topic in general. Because people lack
knowledge about the subject they become apathetic to the situation. They don’t care because
they do not see why they should. Another reason that individuals have become apathetic is
because they do not understand that their voices do in fact matter and that a difference can be
made with their involvement. It should be emphasized that every single person’s voice does
matter and that each person can make a difference if he/she puts the effort into whatever it is
he/she cares about. People also are not involved in civic responsibility because the focal point is
politics. Many people have personally experienced discussions pertaining to politics involving
very biased and emotional opinions. If civic responsibility was incorporated in education,
students would have more of an interest in it because they would understand it.
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Civic responsibility should not only be introduced at the college level or in liberal arts
schools; this should be introduced as early as possible, ideally in high school. Classes should be
held to educate students about politics and tell them how they can make a difference. When
elections are approaching, assemblies should be held that outline each candidate and what he/she
supports and opposes. Even though in high school the majority of students cannot vote, this
shouldn’t matter. The sooner students begin to become educated about issues and politics, the
sooner they will become familiar with the topic. Becoming knowledgeable about something
takes time and by introducing this at an early age it will be more successful. Other ways besides
voting should also be emphasized because there are many ways to become involved that are just
as important. Students can sign petitions, protest, and write to congressmen, governors, as well
as other politicians. There are so many different ways to become active and to make a difference
in society.
The liberal arts education is not only a key factor in receiving a bachelor’s degree,
entering graduate school, or obtaining a well-paid entry-level job in a desired field of work, it
allows students to become well-rounded individuals, as well as, educating them in a number of
different subjects, all which will be beneficial in some way. The liberal arts may be the answer to
increase the rates of civic participation to levels reached in the past and maybe even surpass
them. If civic responsibility is incorporated into education, more people will become interested
and less people will become apathetic towards the situation.
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