Date of Award
Spring 5-17-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS)
First Advisor
Laura Krull
Second Advisor
Deidre Egan-Ryan
Third Advisor
John Dobyns
Abstract
The traditional liberal arts educational model has been around for centuries, yet in the 21st Century, it is becoming endangered by popular STE(A)M curricula, and being pushed aside. Historically seen as opposites, with no similarities, this paper finds the connections. STE(A)M is the focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, (Art), and Mathematics in American education. The liberal arts focus on two pillars: the Trivium and the Quadrivium. When applying the Trivium and the Quadrivium to the current STEM educational methods, more similarities appear between the two learning styles, especially when using 21st-century skills of collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creative thinking. Finally, using the history, focuses, content, and skills that the liberal arts and STEM possess, more similarities can be found when using the STEM-based learning opportunities of Project Lead the Way, Einstein Project, and Destination Imagination.
Recommended Citation
Kaas, Brianna, "The Liberal Arts are Not Dead: Reimagining the Liberal Arts in the 21st Century Using STEM-based Curricula" (2026). Master of Arts Liberal Studies Theses. 22.
https://digitalcommons.snc.edu/mlstheses/22
