The College of Arts, Education, and Humanities offers a BA in liberal studies. Liberal studies is an interdisciplinary, Humanities-based major intentionally structured to break down traditional intellectual boundaries. Liberal studies majors are required to take a range of courses that build upon the academic framework provided by the Connections Curriculum (general education).
The liberal studies major is designed to offer students an academic course load of significant intellectual rigor and to emphasize communication, critical thinking, cooperative learning, and leadership skills to prepare them for a wide variety of careers in the corporate and professional worlds. Liberal studies majors are urged to take advantage of every possible opportunity to enhance their undergraduate experiences by taking internships, registering for courses taught at other LVAIC institutions that will complement their DeSales University major, and by participating in study abroad programs.
Liberal Studies Major Mission Statement
The interdisciplinary Liberal Studies major at DeSales University fosters intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, effective communication, and collaboration, empowering students to become adaptable, innovative, and engaged citizens and leaders, by integrating diverse perspectives and methodologies from fields such as Communications, Economics, English, Fine Arts, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Spanish, and Theology, within a framework grounded in Christian Humanism and inspired by Salesian values, with a commitment to social responsibility, community engagement, and global awareness.
Liberal Studies Major Student Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate from DeSales University with a major in liberal studies will be able to:
- Analyze and interpret complex texts, artifacts, and cultural phenomena through the lenses of diverse disciplines, recognizing multiple perspectives and contexts, evaluating biases, assumptions, and power dynamics.
- Integrate insights from multiple disciplines to generate innovative solutions or arguments that reflect a nuanced understanding of the human experience.
- Communicate complex ideas through written, oral, or visual media, adapting to diverse audiences and contexts, demonstrating an appreciation for the rich diversity of human expression.
- Apply theoretical and critical frameworks to real-world problems, professional settings, and community engagement initiatives.
- Demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and collaboration skills, fostering inclusive and respectful dialogue that values the richness of human expression.
