uca.edu/liberalarts

Get Professional Experience in an InternshipLearn with professionals with an on-the-job internship. Get Cultural Experience participating in a Study Abroad CourseLearn with other students and faculty as you expand your horizons with study in another country. Get Scholarly Experience crafting an Undergraduate Research ProjectLearn with a professor doing an advanced research project in an area of inquiry of mutual interest. Get Community Experience by participating in a Service-Learning CourseLearn with an area non-profit, civic or govern-mental organization and get hands-on experience with community and public service activities.

The College of Liberal Arts EDGE program provides the globally informed knowledge and skills needed to flourish in the 21st century professional world.

Employers want students who know about our world, who are informed about the role of the United States in the world, and who are well-versed in cultural values and traditions.

Employers also want the transferable skills that a liberal education imparts: written and verbal communication, the ability to think through complex problems and create solutions, to work well with others, and to adapt to a rapid-ly changing workplace.

Finally, with its focus on applying knowledge and skills to real world contexts, the EDGE program helps you prepare for emerging professions in our global economy.

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSASCOLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Peter J. Mehl, Interim DeanMark Mullenbach, Interim Associate Dean

Irby Hall 120Phone: (501) 450-5136

WHAT ARE THE LIBERAL ARTS?

UCA’s College of Liberal Arts includes: anthropology, African/African-American studies, Asian studies, Chinese, criminology, English, French, German, gender studies, his-tory, international studies, interdisciplinary liberal studies, linguistics, Latin American and Latino studies, philos-ophy, political science, public administration, religious studies, social studies education, sociology, Southern and Arkansas studies, Spanish and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). Advanced graduate study is also offered in English, history, and Spanish.

Traditionally, the liberal arts referred to areas of learning necessary for men and women to intelligently navigate their personal and social life and play a significant role in the world. But today, a liberal arts degree ensures broad knowledge, develops the arts of inquiry and cultivates social and personal responsibility through engaged learning both inside and outside the classroom. Educating for Diversity and Global Engagement means preparing students for today’s rapidly changing professional contexts and global economy—our EDGE.

Becoming a “citizen of the world” through an education that expands your understanding of America and the world; an education that prepares you for participation in a global world.

Developing your intellectual capacities through an education in the arts of inquiry: critical thinking, historical research, analysis of data and creative discovery.

Opportunities to participate in at least one “outside the classroom” active learning experience. Such experiences help you see how classroom learning connects to the real world, to your life and your future professions.

EDGE mean for you?

What does the liberal arts

IT MEANS:

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES

OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM:

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Educating FOR Diversity& Global Engagement

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSASCOLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

My study in the College of Liberal Arts brought with it many life-changing oppor-tunities. I completed a research project with Dr. Powers that analyzed the use of force in U.S. police departments. This research was presented at multiple conferences, and pub-lished with UCA’s online journal. An Intern-ship with the United States Marshals Service through The Washington Center for Intern-ships, and supported by the College of Lib-eral Arts, allowed me to spend the summer living in Washington, D.C. working with the Judicial Security Division of the U.S. Mar-shals. This experience positively transformed the remainder of my undergraduate experi-ence. I graduated with dual bachelors degrees in Sociology and Criminology. Upon grad-uation, I was accepted on full scholarship to Sam Houston State University’s graduate criminology program.

HOW TO APPLY TO EDGE @ STATE

As a History major and Spanish minor, I decided to study abroad in Costa Rica in order to improve my communication skills in Spanish and to experience the rich cul-ture. Living in San José with a host family and taking Spanish classes allowed me to immerse myself in the Costa Rican culture and to utilize my reading, writing, listen-ing, and speaking skills in Spanish every day. From my composition and culture classes to the authentic Costa Rican food, my study abroad experience exceeded my expectations. I would encourage students who want to learn another language to study abroad; they will not only improve their communication skills, but they will also learn to appreciate a lifestyle and a culture that is different from their own.

The College of Liberal Arts has provid-ed opportunities for me to put the skills learned in my major programs to work in my community. Through UCA’s Com-munity Language School, I have been able to experience first-hand what it’s like to lead a language-learning classroom. I had the opportunity to take part in an af-ter school Spanish Immersion program at a local public school through my Spanish Practicum class. Later, I was able to fur-ther all that I had learned when I taught French and Spanish to 3rd and 4th grade students at the Community Language School’s Bear Camps. I feel very for-tunate not only to have had the support of an incredible faculty, but also to have had the ability to put my skills to the test outside of the classroom.

My experience within the College of Liberal Arts has given me the opportunity to pursue my dream career. The Anthropology Department has taught me how to understand other complex cultures, while the History Department has continually encouraged me to analyze history using multiple narratives. Both of my internships were organized through the help of Dr. Kim Little in the History Department. My most recent internship at the Faulkner County Museum became a paid position after my internship ended. Thanks to the experience I have gained over the past two years of working with the museum, I was accepted into the Master’s program in Museum Studies at the University of Kansas.

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EDGE: EDUCATING FOR DIVERSITY AND GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

Educating FOR Diversity& Global Engagement

Isn’t a liberal arts education less practical than a more focused education, like nursing or business?In fact, all students can benefit from a liberal arts education. A liberal arts education and a professional education are not opposed. Today’s employers desire employees who have broad skills as well as experience applying those skills in real-world settings. A 21st century education should provide both. Our EDGE program does.

Isn’t liberal arts education good in theory but not practical or relevant in today’s world?In fact, our nation’s economic competitiveness depends onindividuals who have the knowledge and skills of a liberal arts education. Our global focus prepares you to understand the implications of our current global interdependence and to find innovative solutions to complex problems. Our liberal arts education can give you a competitive EDGE!

Isn’t today’s work world dominated by computers and technology so that students would be smarter to get a more technical education?In fact, employers know they will need to provide training for the specific technical knowledge their employees need. Employers are more concerned that new employees can think, write and speak well; creatively apply new knowledge; and work well with others to solve problems. A liberal arts education, focusing on the arts of inquiry and broad problem solving, develops the skills our global economy demands.

REAL FACTS ABOUT LIBERAL ARTS