VITALIZING LIBERAL EDUCATION

A somewhat different approach, though basically in concordance with Mark Van Doren's Liberal Education (see P. 418), this book re-defines the aims and functions as evident to the President of Antioch College. Liberal education should advance the culture of our time as well as give background to the past; it has a dual objective, both individual and social progress; it should develop creative habits, rather than passive. Methods to accomplish these are also dealt with, -- the importance of knowing the students well, of cooperation between students and faculty in planning curriculum; of the teacher as an educator, not just a pedagogue; of promotion of critical inquiry and research; of bringing actual experience into play through off campus activities. A restatement, too, of the progressive methods and ideals used in some of the smaller, liberal colleges today, percussively presented.