Hey guys, I'm currently in my junior year of high school and I've been hearing about 'liberal arts math' in college. Can anyone explain what exactly liberal arts math is, and how it's different from a regular math curriculum? Thanks!
Hey there, math major from a liberal arts college here! 'Liberal Arts Math' may refer to a couple things:
1. Math at a liberal arts school: math majors at LACs are pretty much the same you might find at research universities. You'll still take calculus, linear algebra, abstract algebra, and real and complex analysis. The focus overall is just likely more 'pure' vs. 'applied'. There will likely be more proofs/theorems and less coding.
2. Liberal arts approach to math: This means that the courses won't focus exclusively on math topics, like algebra, geometry, or calculus, but rather will connect to other subjects, by exploring the intersection between math and topics in the humanities, social sciences, and sometimes fine arts. The idea is to provide a well-rounded mathematical education that's applicable to a wide range of disciplines, rather than just science and engineering.
For example, you might study the history and philosophy of mathematics, statistics in the context of social science research, or mathematical patterns in art and music. These courses tend to emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world applications of math over the pure theory or advanced computation you might find in a math or science-specific track. If you are interested in both math and a more humanities-leaning discipline, a liberal arts approach to math could be a great fit for you.
Hope this clarifies things a bit!
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