A report entitled The Heart of the Matter by the Commission on the Humanities and
Social Sciences indicates that liberal arts is
necessary to encourage stronger national leadership that focuses on the overall
development of social, communicative, and cultural knowledge. It indicates that
such skills create a more adaptive workforce that can manage their own affairs.
They argue that the humanities and social sciences are a critical aspect of
national and international development through greater awareness.
China is attempting to copy the American system of
education and expand their humanities and social science related offerings. As
they begin to expand their programs the fear is the U.S. is beginning to focus
too narrowly on career oriented fields.
Without a general understanding of how human society operates there is a
problem with rounding out careers and decisions.
Three goals are outlined in the report:
1
-Educate Americans in the knowledge,
skills, and understanding they will need to thrive in a twenty-first-century
democracy.
2 -Foster
a society that is innovative, competitive, and strong.
3 -Equip
the nation for leadership in an interconnected world.
The report outlines the need for
cultural understanding in society and bridging our past with our future. The
strengthening of education can occur through supporting students with online
courses and providing relevant materials. They encourage academics to engage
the public in solving critical societal issues for a stronger and brighter
future.
Employers are seeking students who
have critical thinking skills, complex problem solving skills, and
communication skills. Humanities and
social sciences encourages these finely develop skills. The report didn’t state
this but there is a place in this argument for self-management skills. Each of
these increases with higher education and general understanding of society.
You may read the rest of the report
HERE
