The study of liberal arts is a classic discipline, intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills instead of focused professional or occupational skills. The scope of the liberal arts has changed with society. It once emphasized the education of elites in the classics but, with the rise of science and humanities during the Age of Enlightenment, the scope and meaning of “liberal arts” expanded to include them. A degree in liberal arts can provide the basis for career advancement as it trains students to write effectively and think analytically while also allowing them to explore the nature of the various liberal arts fields of study. Some popular liberal arts fields of study include the following:

Early Childhood Development If you are interested in early childhood development and want to become a public school teacher, you must complete a bachelor’s degree. All states require a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite for a teacher’s license. An online degree in Early Childhood Education provides academic requirements for various career levels in occupations related to childcare and early childhood education in the public and private sectors. The bachelor’s degree generally takes four years to complete. The bachelor’s degree courses typically focus on classroom issues and Pre- Kindergarten through third grade instructional methods.

Sociology Sociologists study human behavior as it pertains to human interaction within the guidelines of an organizational structure. Human behavior is greatly influenced and governed by social, religious, and legal guidelines. A sociologist studies these behaviors and the influences that preserve certain behaviors and change others. Sociology is also a broad science that covers many different disciplines in the social sciences. Sociology also studies more tangible measures of human behavior such as class or social status, social movements, criminal deviance, and even revolution.

Philosophy A philosophy major is the most general type of college degree you can obtain. It focuses on the “nature of being”, knowledge, and contemplating right and wrong in moral issues. A philosophy degree trains you to become both regimented and creative, learning to reason through abstract questions. Students will apply their knowledge to form an argument for debate. The principles of philosophy affect other fields of study such as physics and religion. Every religious belief and field of science is subject matter in philosophical inquiry. Skills that are helpful in your philosophy program are puzzle solving skills, debating, critical thinking and reading skills an organized thought process, and the ability to think outside of the box.

Education for Liberal Arts
Online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies or Bachelor of Science degrees consist of an integrated core curriculum in the arts and sciences combined with student directed specializations. The liberal arts degree is popular for those with higher career ambitions, as well. Many future law or foreign services professionals find that getting a liberal arts degree such as political science is a great starting off point in their academic pursuits – it’s both personally rewarding and beneficial for the courses they will take as they progress. A BA in liberal arts can also provide the foundations for careers in medicine and business.

Students with a degree in liberal arts enrich their existing knowledge of the world and develop a broader framework for understanding social change in a global context. If you think a liberal arts degree is what you are looking for, search our database for an online degree program today.

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For a number of years, Rochester, MN has been labeled as one of America’s finest cities for newly weds. One of the reasons for this label could be the wide variety of activities that stray from the ordinary dinner and a movie date night. Rochester is home to a variety of art centers and theatres, and offers musical performances throughout the year. The arts and entertainment found in Rochester helps to demonstrate that this is a city that understands the importance of the abstract side of life.
If one is seeking to view an art gallery or museum, there are four popular options to choose from in Rochester:

- Rochester Art Center – Newly remodeled and moved in May 2004, the Art Center is a relatively small center which holds no permanent collections inside. Instead, the center hosts a variety of temporary travelling collections which change throughout the year. Nearby, the outdoor Zumbro Gardens is a terraced park and sculpture lawn which leads down to the edge of the Zumbro River.

- SEMVA Art Gallery – The South East Minnesota Visual Artists Gallery, located in the Peace Plaza in downtown Rochester, offers mainly works from southeastern Minnesota Artists. The variety of works includes pottery, woods, clothing, fabrics, and canvas displays.

- Mayowood Galleries – Fine antiques and gardent accents from 18th and 19th century England can be found at Mayowood Galleries. Two locations are available, at the Mayowood Mansion and downtown Rochester.

- History Center of Olmsted County – For more of a historical display, the History Center offers a Histry Library, a Genealogy Center, as well as a display of the history of Rochester and the surrounding area. The History Center also owns and operates Mayowood Mansion.
After a morning or afternoon of visiting an art gallery or museum, the possibility exists to view a live production at one of the three theatres in Rochester:

- Masque Youth Theatre – The Masque presents a variety of children’s plays from October to June. The goal of the Masque is to involve young people in theatre arts, and it successfully does that by using children as actors and providing plays that would interest the child found in everyone.

- Rochester Civic Theatre – A variety of perfomances can be found at the Civic Theatre. The venue offers nine perfomances a year, including dramas, comedies, and musicals. Previous shows have included Fiddler on the Roof and The Adventures of Stuart Little.

- Rochester Repertory Theatre – The Repertory Theatre offers performances of classical and contemporary works by a variety of artists. Some previous shows have included Three Tall Women, The Foreigner and FoxFire.

Rochester’s music scene also offers a wide variety of options. Apart from the countless restaurants, bars, and pubs that offer live music free of charge on various nights, there are a few large groups that perform in Rochester throughout the year. These groups are comprised of members of the community, sharing their talents in order to give back to the city they call home. The list below offers a glimpse at the musical choices of Rochester. It is by no means the only groups and performances available.

- Rochester Civic Music – Presented by the City of Rochester, free live music is offered to the community through the “Down By the Riverside” outdoor summer concert series. Artists have included Three Dog Night, Peter Fischer, The Marshall Tucker Band, and many local acts.

- Rochester Symphony Orchestra & Chorale – Jere Lantz, music director and conductor, leads this group’s perfomances of a variety of works through the year.

- Rochester Community Band – Offering quarterly performances, and a few additional sumer festivals, the Community band is open to all people, regardless of skill level. The band emphasis lies on using your talents and having fun while performing modern and classic music.

- Chorale Arts Ensemble – This group is dedicated to the creation and performance of new music, and also to the presentation of music from the Renaissance to the 20th century. Forty voices, chosen by audition, make up this choir which performs choral and orchestral masterworks and vocal jazz.

- Southeast Minnesota Youth Orchestra – SEMYO brings middle and high school students together to study music, learn to work and perform together, and to contribute to the cultural life of the community.

- Swing Street – One of the most well known jazz bands in Rochester, Swing Street plays at community events and private functions throughout the year. The group’s love of jazz shows with a repertoire that extends from the early days of jazz to modern arrangements.

As evidenced by the list above, Rochester certainly has a wide variety of options when it comes to Arts and Entertainment. Both newly weds and everday-citizens alike can enjoy the countless performances and art galleries offered throughout the year.

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