Sanford Ungar The New Liberal Arts Summary

“The New Liberal Arts” Summary
The article, titled “The New Liberal Arts” was written by Sanford J. Ungar and first appeared on March 5, 2010 in the Chronicle of Higher Education. In his article Ungar explains seven common misperceptions many individuals may believe about achieving a degree in liberal arts. Ungar discusses in his article how many people assume that achieving a degree in liberal arts is useless and should be considered a luxury. Ungar is a liberal arts college president and he wrote this article to inform many people of the common assumptions made about liberal arts. A few common myths people tend to believe about liberal arts is that it is expensive, it is difficult to find a good job, and the degree is pointless.
In his article Ungar explains that one common misperception about obtaining a liberal arts degree is the cost. Many individuals argue that a liberal arts degree is an expensive luxury that most could not afford. Ungar disagrees when he writes, “But because of their commitment to expand need-based financial aid, the nets cost of attending a small liberal-arts college can be lower than that of a large public university.” (Ungar par. 19). This quote shows that achieving a liberal-arts degree can be more affordable to college

students than pursuing a different type of degree.
Another misperception is college graduates with a liberal arts degree are finding it harder to get good jobs.

Many americans tend to believe that in today's day and age, college students should study more “important” jobs such as politics, engineering, or farming and that these jobs offer a better career path than French or philosophy, however this is not the case. According to Ungar, “A 2009 survey for the Association of American Colleges and Universities actually found that more than three-quarters of our nation’s employers recommend that collegebound students pursue a ‘liberal education.’” (Ungar par. 7). This quote proves that achieving a liberal arts degree can actually be more beneficial to college

graduates.
Another misperception many individuals believe is that a liberal arts education is pointless. Many americans tend to think a liberal arts job is not a “real job” and college students should study more essential jobs such as the STEM field -science, technology, engineering, and math. In his article Ungar writes “In fact, the historical basis of liberal education is in the classical artes liberales, compromising the trivium (grammar, logic, and rhetoric) and the quadrivium (arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music).” (Ungar par.12). This quote shows that liberal arts is just as necessary as a STEM job and a liberal education should be taken more seriously.
In conclusion, after closer examination, a degree in liberal arts is not what it appears to be to many people. It is often less costly, does lead to good “real” jobs, is recognized by employers and is just as necessary to our society as other degrees. More college bound students should consider a liberal arts degree.