Skidmore College: Liberal Studies1
Fall 2004

Course Objectives

In addition to your gaining knowledge and understanding about the specific human dilemmas of Human Identities, Justice, and Human Ecologies, Liberal Studies 1 is designed so that during the semester you will

• examine what it means to be human from biological, social, and aesthetic perspectives
• learn to explore a question from a variety of perspectives (disciplinary, interdisciplinary, cross cultural)
• learn to identify and formulate questions that will produce knowledge
• develop the habit of mind of making connections among ideas
• learn and practice critical thinking (which includes recognizing choices, examining assumptions, taking a skeptical stance)
• gain an appreciation for ambiguity and complexity
• commit to action despite the recognition of ambiguity
• create a community of learners among the students and faculty of Skidmore College