Do you really know what Liberal Arts are?

ACA's first European Policy Seminar after the summer break is on Liberal Arts (and Sciences) education in Europe. It will provide an introduction into the philosophy and the main features of Liberal Arts education, amongst them the college system, undergraduate research and (small) size. The seminar will also present and analyse varied examples of successful Liberal Arts programmes in different European countries. Its aim is to also to clarify the concept of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the core idea behind such education.
Liberal Arts education originated from Europe and it was based on the seven liberal arts – artes liberales – which comprised those focusing on language (grammar, rhetoric and logic) and those with mathematical elements (arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and theory of music). The idea behind artes liberales was that education should, above all, lead to a well-rounded and – free - person. Thus the seven liberal arts were the foundation for any further training and specialisation. More...