JOURNAL OF HIGHER EDUCATION THEORY AND PRACTICE

The Case for Change in Business Education: How Liberal Arts

Principles and Practices Can Foster Needed Change

Author(s): Tim Ewest, Julie Kliegl

Citation: Tim Ewest, Julie Kliegl, (2012) "The Case for Change in Business Education: How Liberal Arts

Principles and Practices Can Foster Needed Change," Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, Vol.12, Iss. 3, pp. 75 - 86

Article Type: Research paper

Publisher: North American Business Press

Abstract:

A liberal arts education is touted as a tradition that produces graduates who are humane,

interdisciplinary, and have the ability to think critically. While many liberal arts colleges offer business in

their degree offerings, it can be seen as antagonistic to a liberal arts education. Can the liberal arts and

business education find mutuality? This paper argues that the consideration of this issue is timely due to

the recent decline of liberal arts education in favor of technical degrees and the recent criticisms of

business education as lagging behind other majors in learning outcomes. An integration framework is

offered for business education within liberal arts.