Major & Minor
Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts or liber ars (liber is Latin for free, ars is Latin for craft, skill, or art) is a broad term that can encompass the study of history, literature, writing, philosophy, psychology, economics, creative arts, and more. As a discipline, these subjects are intended to give you general knowledge and the ability to learn any subject — instead of specific skills needed for a technical profession.
About the Liberal Arts Major
Liberal arts majors at Southern Virginia University read, study, and investigate the main issues in a range of disciplines (such as history, literature, art, philosophy, and the sciences) and become well practiced in critical thinking, reasoning, and judgment. Students also gain an appreciation for the historical and cultural contexts that frame our contemporary world and its problems—a valuable perspective for all in our day. Those in the liberal art major learn to write well, study widely, learn broadly, and examine every perspective.
One of the great advantages of a liberal arts major is its versatility, providing the skills to see and make connections across disciplines, examine how different issues are represented, and provide a wide range of viewpoints. Students may mold their programs of study to include specific areas of interest within the context of the major requirements, and many often double major or have multiple minors or concentrations. This mix of programs is excellent preparation for a career or graduate program in law, business, medicine, education, public service, the arts, and many other fields.
Learning Outcomes
What you’ll learn in the Liberal Arts major:
- Capability in critical and reflective thinking.
- Comprehension of cultural past and present and basic history of Western ideas, art, literature, politics, and the major figures, events, and movements.
- Ability to write persuasively and analytically in proper and effective English.
Career Opportunities
The potential careers for a liberal arts degree are endless. Depending on your personal and professional goals, you can go on to jobs in marketing, publishing, medicine, politics, human resources, and more.
- Human Resources Manager
- Journalist
- Dentist
- Religious Studies Teacher
- Author
- Lawyer
- Teacher
- Marketing Manager
Getting Started in the Liberal Arts Major
Follow these simple steps below to get a head start in the
Liberal Arts Major today.
Enroll
Begin by taking Reason and the Self (LIB 110), America and the Enlightenment (LIB 120), and Classics of Western Literature (LIB 130) in your first year.
Contact Your Advisor
Get in touch with New Tab, Open Bio for: Professor Scott Dransfield to discuss your interests and goals
Declare
Turn in a completed PDFDeclare Major Form to the Registrar’s Office
Questions? Contact the Registrar at emailregistrar@svu.edu.
Faculty Contacts
Scott Dransfield
Professor of English; Liberal Arts Program Coordinator
Related Programs and Concentrations
Alumni Success
Dalon Hampshire (’21)
Master’s in New Testament Studies at Duke University
Link to news articleRead More
Alumni Success
Kailey Simmons (’17)
Actress at Tuacahn Center for the Arts
Link to news articleRead More
In the News
Alumna’s (‘18) Young Adult Novel Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Alumna Krislee Twiner Ellsworth (‘18) recently achieved her childhood dream of becoming an independent author after publishing her first novel—“Lorden Awakening”—to Amazon Books in January. The young adult fantasy novel that Ellsworth began writing during her senior year at Southern Virginia University will soon also become available at Barnes and Noble.
Link to news articleRead More
In the News
Liberal Arts Major Interns in the U.S. Senate
Don Harsh, a junior and liberal arts major at Southern Virginia University, served as a United States Senate intern working under Utah Sen. Mike Lee.
Link to news article.Read More