“The University is a community of scholars that has as its primary purpose to unsettle the minds of students, to widen their horizons, to inflame their intellect…”
— Dr. Robert Maynard Hutchins, American educational philosopher
The Hutchins School of Liberal Studies has changed my life for the better without even knowing it. I was approached at Seawolf Decision Day about possibly becoming a Liberal Studies major and I watched a small presentation. I had no idea what my classes were going to look like, so I figured it would not be a bad decision to apply to Hutchins. It was made clear that I could keep my Communications major, graduate with two degrees, and graduate on time. What seemed too good to be true? NO tests, NO finals! The school was based on a Socratic method of education with reading and writing intensive courses with classes up to only 12 students.
If I could pass along any advice to incoming freshman, it would be to at least give Hutchins a chance!
In all honesty, freshman year is the hardest in the course as you have to expand your mind in ways you absolutely do not want to. (or ways you hadn’t thought of before?) Since there are “no right answers” you listen to different points of view, real life experiences, learn from field trips, guest speakers, and you also learn so much from yourself. This can be difficult especially coming into a new environment away from how you were raised as you open your mind to different ways of seeing the world.
If you despise reading, this school is not for you. During your Freshman & Sophomore Year, you are enrolled in one 15 unit class each semester which focuses on an aspect of human life, courses like The Human Enigma, In Search of Self, Exploring the Unknown, and Challenge & Response in the Modern World. Classes are held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for about three hours each day. It may seem like a lot of time out of your day, though this frees up your week to do homework and even hold a job. You may read a couple of books or texts per week, which can be articles, books, or a write-up on a speaker or event you attended.
Hutchins offers three different tracks for the program: Track One is “create your own major, major” which allows you to take up to nine units of outside classes to form your preferred track of studies. Track Two is a pre-credential track for which offers your degree in four years but also allows you to go directly into the credential program to teach elementary school. Track Three is referred to as blended, which allows you to graduate with your degree and credential in four years.
This program creates a very inspiring environment brought on by the faculty and reflected onto your peers. I could not have asked for a better college experience, especially when I am learning from my peers along with my professors and because I have found nothing but support everywhere I turn in the program. For those who do not know what they want to do with their major, I would highly suggest track one; don’t worry, you’ll find yourself.