A
liberal education is a system or course of education suitable for the cultivation of a
free (Latin:
liber) human being. It is based on the
medieval concept of the
liberal arts or, more commonly now, the
liberalism of the
Age of Enlightenment. It has been described as "a philosophy of education that empowers individuals with broad knowledge and transferable skills, and a stronger sense of values, ethics, and civic engagement ... characterised by challenging encounters with important issues, and more a way of studying than a specific course or field of study" by the
Association of American Colleges and Universities. Usually global and
pluralistic in scope, it can include a general education
curriculum which provides broad exposure to multiple disciplines and learning strategies in addition to in-depth study in at least one
academic area.