Liberal Arts Courses Add Value to Your Education
When listening to or reading general discussions across media platforms, I notice that "the humanities" are usually grouped and compared with, or set at odds against, fields like science, technology, trades, and business. When listening to my students, I frequently hear them echo the same talking points and express almost a disdain for the humanities. Comparing liberal arts courses against other courses has created a false dichotomy: a situation in which only a limited number of options are presented as mutually exclusive. As a result of this false dichotomy, some parents and students believe that liberal arts courses take the place of classes that would be more beneficial to students. In this article, I want to dispel that myth by looking at the value of humanities courses for students pursuing degrees in business, accounting, or leadership studies.
By Nichole Brazelton — August 3, 2022
When listening to or reading general discussions across media platforms, I notice that "the humanities" are usually grouped and compared with, or set at odds against, fields like science, technology, trades, and business. When listening to my students, I frequently hear them echo the same talking points and express almost a disdain for the humanities. Comparing liberal arts courses against other courses has created a false dichotomy: a situation in which only a limited number of options are presented as mutually exclusive. As a result of this false dichotomy, some parents and students believe that liberal arts courses take the place of classes that would be more beneficial to students. In this article, I want to dispel that myth by looking at the value of humanities courses for students pursuing degrees in business, accounting, or leadership studies.
First, it’s important to note that some humanities classes carry course titles and descriptions that make the relationship between business degrees and related degrees apparent. Often, you will see these courses listed as "Business Communication," "Business Ethics," "Technical Writing," "Corporate (or Non—profit) Communication," or "Crisis Communication." However, choosing only courses with "business" in their title can limit the scope and general effectiveness of the skills the liberal arts can impart.
Liberal arts courses teach with a human focus. They typically focus on the complexities and history of human behavior and thought. Students in history courses don’t just study past events but also the people and human motivations that led to or resulted from the events. Classes in philosophy cover topics that span a range that encompasses ethics and morality, human creation of meaning, and definition and pursuit of "the good life." Writing and communication courses dig into how word choice, tone, and clarity can result in a positive or negative interaction or effectively persuade others. Sociology and psychology courses deal with human perception, individual and community behavior, and human motivation.
So, what do those things have in common with the business world, and how can they increase the competency and success of someone pursuing a career in business, leadership, or accounting?
Considering human behavor, ethics, history, and communication enable business professionals to:
- Evaluate their management style and consider what management or business design is best for productivity and morale.
- More easily determine how to communicate effectively with stake holders
- Consider the social impact of a business and make decisions regarding positive relationships in the local and global economy.
- Increase their ability to determine and predict market fluctuations within given populations
- Better understand what resources are currently and have historically been used in various communities and across geographic areas.
Because courses in the liberal arts focus more on writing, public speaking, and creative thought than other courses, they offer unique benefits to students who take those courses seriously. After graduation, business majors who take liberal arts courses are better prepared to:
- Write professional, eye—catching resumes and cover letters.
- Create more effective presentations for board members, clients, and the public.
- Speak persuasively to garner higher funding, more clients, and public support.
- Think outside the box to create innovative solutions to questions involving leadership, internal affairs, crisis management, marketing techniques, and local or community buy—in.
The nuances of business and the nuances of the liberal arts are ideally suited to complement each other. By dedicating some time and effort to various liberal arts courses, business majors could enter their career fields better prepared. With a good dose of creativity, flexibility, and a polished communication style, students will graduate with confidence in their ability to handle business across interpersonal, community, and global marketplace landscapes.
Nichole Brazelton
Nichole Brazelton is a professor of writing and humanities at Manchester Community College and a poet. Her creative works have been recognized as finalists for multiple literary awards, anthologized, and featured in national and international literary journals, including Marathon Literary Review, Sand Hills Literary Magazine, Canary, Landing Zone, and Hip Pocket Press. Her scholarly works have appeared in Educational Philosophy and Theory and the International Journal of Listening.
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