The Liberal Arts program has existed at Union College since its beginning in 1933. It is the College’s premier transfer-oriented curriculum for students who want to complete a broad-based liberal arts and sciences foundation before majoring in particular disciplines within the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, or mathematics. The program is designed to meet the core requirements of most four-year Liberal Arts colleges.A wide range of program options have been developed from this core curriculum, many of which allow a measure of specialization during the first two years of college. The core Liberal Arts program provides a basic college introduction to many academic disciplines and programs. It is the quintessential preparation for a well-rounded general education, allowing students to experience various academic disciplines before settling on a major after transfer.The specific objectives of this program are that the graduate must be able to demonstrate:
- College-level competency in historical knowledge about the Western tradition and its development in America.
- College-level competency in the social sciences.
- College-level understanding of American government, politics, and society.
- College-level appreciation of the economic forces shaping all human societies.
- College-level appreciation of the fine arts: music, art, drama, literature.
- An understanding of the findings of the natural sciences and their applications to solving practical problems.
- College-level competency in mathematics that allows the graduate to use algebra and statistics to solve various problems in the sciences and practical life.
- An awareness of and concern for the ethical implications of institutional policies and individual practices.
- Critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and effective communications skills.
- The ability to use technology for learning and research.
- The ability to learn independently and to direct his/her own learning.