Joshua Bennett
The liberal arts have historically been associated with Catholic education, with the seven liberal arts providing a foundation for human beings to think, express themselves, and lead fulfilling lives. While some argue that Catholic colleges are not the best at teaching the liberal arts, others believe that the Catholic liberal arts education equips students with the skills and knowledge to excel in various disciplines and become leaders. The ultimate goal of Catholic liberal education is to attain theological wisdom, using the liberal arts as tools in the service of theology and Catholic moral principles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| The liberal arts are not just for the rich and powerful | Catholic education should be for everyone |
| Liberal arts are about more than just job training | Catholic education is about the "well-balanced perfection of the human personality" |
| Liberal arts generate complex and agile thinking | Catholic liberal arts seek the truth through various disciplines |
| Liberal arts broaden people's capacity for attention and concern | Catholic liberal arts prepare men and women for the world |
| Liberal arts are about more than grade-point averages and scholarship dollars | Catholic liberal arts are about cultivating virtuous persons, "little Christs," who can change the world |
| Liberal arts are about teaching students how to think, write, and convince others | Catholic liberal arts are about grounding students in grammar, logic, and rhetoric |
| Liberal arts include subjects like mathematics, science, engineering, and technology | Catholic liberal arts include subjects like philosophy, theology, ethics, and politics |
| Liberal arts have declined since the 16th century | Catholic liberal arts are still offered at institutions like Christendom College |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic colleges and financial challenges
Catholic colleges in the United States have been facing significant financial challenges in recent years, with a number of institutions closing down, merging, or planning to do so. Since 2016, 21 Catholic colleges across the country have shut down, merged, or announced plans to do so, with roughly five Catholic colleges closing each year since 2020. This trend is attributed to various factors, including declining student enrollment, rising costs, limited resources, and significant debt.
One of the main challenges contributing to the financial strain on Catholic colleges is the decline in student enrollment. This trend is not unique to Catholic colleges but is also affecting many small private colleges across the country. The declining birth rate in the United States since 2008 has resulted in a smaller pool of college-aged students, leading to a sharp drop in student enrollment. This issue is particularly prominent in the Northeast, where most of the population growth is occurring in the South and West regions.
In addition to demographic shifts, Catholic colleges are facing increasing costs and limited resources. The cost of providing education, healthcare, and other services has been steadily rising, while the number of students attending Catholic schools and universities was already on a downward trend before the onset of the pandemic. This decline in enrollment is due to various factors, such as the rise of public schools, increasing tuition fees, and the decline of the Catholic population in certain areas.
The financial challenges faced by Catholic colleges have also been exacerbated by significant debt. For example, Notre Dame College in Ohio cited deficits and debt as reasons for its closure, including annual deficits and a multi-million-dollar loan.
Despite these challenges, there are positive financial trends that may benefit Catholic colleges. There has been a growing trend of Catholics donating to Catholic institutions, with Catholic philanthropy on the rise. Additionally, there is an increasing demand for Catholic education, which is expected to continue in the coming years. Catholic leaders and administrators are committed to adapting to the changing financial landscape to secure the future of their institutions and continue providing education, healthcare, and other services to their communities.
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Liberal arts and Catholic higher education
The Catholic Church has long recognised the importance of liberal arts in education, with the expression "artes liberales" used during the Middle Ages to describe the branches of knowledge taught in schools at the time. The liberal arts were seen as a way to prepare students for the pursuit of science and the combination of philosophy and theology, known as scholasticism. This tradition continues in Catholic higher education today, with institutions such as Christendom College offering a Catholic liberal arts education.
The liberal arts are valued in Catholic education because they cultivate important skills such as creative thinking, adaptability, empathy, and understanding of others. These skills are seen as essential for all people, not just those at the top, and are believed to enable students to become virtuous leaders who can change the world. Catholic colleges have historically focused on providing a well-rounded education that goes beyond job training, emphasising the dignity of all people and the importance of contributing to the common good.
However, Catholic colleges have faced financial challenges due to their commitment to serving the bottom, which has resulted in closures over the years. Despite this, there is outrage when these colleges consider cutting the liberal arts from their curricula, as it is seen as touching on the essence of Catholic higher education. The liberal arts are viewed as a way to provide moral clarity and coherence to education, which is in line with Catholic values and the belief in the importance of wisdom and virtue.
In conclusion, the liberal arts are an integral part of Catholic higher education. They provide a foundation for Catholic students to develop the skills and knowledge needed to lead virtuous and impactful lives, while also cultivating a deep understanding of theology and philosophy. The Catholic tradition seeks to perfect liberal education by adding a theological and philosophical dimension, which is believed to enable students to thrive in any career with competence, grace, and excellence.
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Catholic liberal arts and universal knowledge
The liberal arts have a long history in Catholic education, dating back to the Middle Ages when they were known as "artes liberales". The term "liberal arts" refers to the branches of knowledge that were taught in schools at the time, in contrast to the "artes illiberales", which were pursued for economic purposes. The liberal arts were meant to prepare students for the pursuit of science, specifically the combination of
Today, Catholic liberal arts education continues to play an important role in Catholic higher education. Institutions like Christendom College offer a challenging and timeless Catholic liberal arts education that prepares students for the world. This type of education goes beyond the classroom and into lived experience, offering leadership opportunities and a vibrant Catholic culture.
The liberal arts are valued in Catholic education because they teach students how to think, write, and convince others. They provide a foundation for human beings to think, express themselves, and lead truly good lives. The seven liberal arts, including grammar, rhetoric, and dialectic, are seen as essential for cultivating virtuous persons who can go into the world and make a positive impact.
Through the study of Catholic liberal arts, students encounter a universal study of knowledge across various disciplines such as Mathematics, History, Literature, Classics, Political Science, Natural Science, and Modern Languages. Philosophy and Theology play a central role in unifying these disciplines and enabling students to master any subject. This approach to education equips students for a life of leadership and excellence, as noted by Saint John Henry Newman.
Catholic liberal arts education faces financial challenges due to its commitment to serving the underserved and providing accessible education. Despite these challenges, there is strong opposition to cutting liberal arts programs from Catholic higher education, as it is seen as essential to the Catholic educational tradition.
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Catholic liberal arts and leadership
The liberal arts do not have to be Catholic, but Catholic liberal arts education is a distinct tradition that emphasises the pursuit of truth, wisdom, and virtue. Catholic liberal arts institutions, such as Christendom College, offer a challenging curriculum that prepares students for leadership and excellence in various disciplines, including Mathematics, History, Literature, Classics, Political Science, Natural Science, and Modern Languages. This is unified by the central role played by Philosophy and Theology.
The Classical Liberal Arts Academy, for instance, is an accredited online school that provides students with access to classical Catholic studies. The programme is designed for students who want a rigorous and traditional Catholic education. Similarly, Catholic International University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, allowing students to explore integrated disciplines through the Catholic Intellectual Tradition while concentrating on areas of interest.
Catholic liberal arts education is not just about academic knowledge but also about character formation and leadership development. It fosters a love for learning and the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty, preparing students for graduate programmes or careers. Catholic liberal arts students become equipped for leadership as they cultivate intellectual prowess and agility, enabling them to master various subjects and adapt to changing circumstances.
Catholic colleges have historically faced financial challenges due to their commitment to serving the underserved and providing a well-rounded education that goes beyond job training. Despite these challenges, Catholic liberal arts education remains committed to making higher education accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy or powerful. This commitment to accessibility and holistic education is a key aspect of Catholic liberal arts and leadership.
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Catholic liberal arts and theology
Catholic liberal arts education is an enriching experience that prepares individuals for the world by cultivating their intellectual prowess and leadership skills. It is a timeless and challenging curriculum that stands apart from the specialised job training offered by many American universities. The liberal arts, including Mathematics, History, Literature, Classics, Political Science, Natural Science, and Modern Languages, are unified by the central role of Philosophy and Theology. This education is not merely about career preparation but about empowering individuals to lead a good life, serving others, and worshipping God.
Catholic International University, for instance, offers a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, allowing students to explore integrated disciplines through the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. Similarly, Christendom College provides a Catholic liberal arts education that mirrors the schooling received by saints and scholars throughout history. This education extends beyond the classroom, offering leadership opportunities and a vibrant Catholic community that supports students in their journey towards becoming great men and women of God.
The Classical Liberal Arts Academy is another example of Catholic liberal arts education, offering accredited online programmes for students of all ages. The Academy emphasises the importance of both classical and modern studies, ensuring students satisfy college preparatory requirements while engaging in rigorous coursework.
Catholic liberal arts education is not limited to higher learning institutions. The Institute for Catholic Liberal Education is dedicated to renewing K-12 Catholic schools by reclaiming the Church's educational tradition, fostering growth in faith, wisdom, and virtue. This initiative has been praised by Catholic leaders for its commitment to forming disciples and teaching the liberal arts.
While Catholic colleges may not be considered the "best" at liberal arts by some metrics, this assessment often favours wealthy schools. Catholic colleges have a long history of serving immigrants and equipping them with more than just job training. They emphasise the dignity of all people and contribute to the common good, reflecting a belief that education should enhance life beyond career pursuits. Catholic higher education's commitment to accessibility and holistic student development remains a testament to the enduring value of Catholic liberal arts and theology.
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Frequently asked questions
Liberal arts are branches of knowledge that serve the purpose of training free people. They include grammar, rhetoric, dialectic, logic, mathematics, history, literature, classics, political science, natural science, and modern languages.
No, liberal arts do not have to be Catholic. However, the Catholic Church has a long history of emphasising the importance of liberal arts in education.
Catholic liberal education is an education that flows out of the classroom and into lived experience. It prepares men and women for the world by providing them with leadership opportunities and a strong moral framework. It is believed that this type of education cultivates virtuous people who can go into the world and change it.
Catholic liberal education is believed to provide a well-balanced perfection of the human personality. It helps students develop empathy and understanding of others, and equips them with the skills to think, write, and convince others of their position.
Christendom College and the University of Notre Dame are examples of Catholic liberal arts colleges.
