Through reading the literature of a people in crisis, examining the politics or psychology of conflict, designing an experiment to better understand an issue, or performing a work with emotional impact, students gain not only an academic understanding of their world, but also an opportunity to see the world of others. It is through such understanding that we develop the empathy to participate in solving problems with others while integrating our knowledge with our personal beliefs. Allowing tomorrow's citizens to experience the world of others provides them with vicarious practice for making life's decisions, thus enhancing their development of personal convictions.
Personal convictions paired with civic imagination is the goal of liberal learning.
As a freshman college student, I was struck, as most freshmen are, with the idea that I could change the world. College was a new place of wonder, and in it I could accomplish anything. Of course, long before the year was out my idealism had faded somewhat, as it always does. The important thing was that it did not go away. I still believe I can change things if I have the desire to do so, but I am realistically aware that changing the world takes time, patience, and energy.