Liberal Arts. [Entry #2]

[Point One.]
Define Liberal Arts.
I was excited to see one of the first things mentioned under the Liberal Arts Colleges heading was the small classes, which is a primary reason I chose Converse.
Beyond that, the Liberal Arts article addressed how there's an emphasis on being well rounded in your education and skills instead of only being specialized in one area.
My orientation leaders did a wonderful job of explaining this when they covered GEP credits. I was vague on the concept of a Liberal Arts College when I came to Converse, and knew only that it would force me to suffer through math and science courses despite my Music Education major.
The Bachelor of Music article stated what we all know we're here for: a degree in music that allows us to pursue a career path and living that involves music.

[Point Two.]
Liberal Arts Incorporated with Music.
Having a liberal arts education prevents you from being limited to one set standard of approach to any given career path.
I'm pursuing a degree in Music Education. Perhaps I'll be able to incorporate math, science, english, physical education, any variety of other specializations into my curriculum. The lesson would still deliver the art and skill of music, but would appeal to people who prefer other areas of study.

[Point Three.]
A Broad Spectrum of Classes.
Richard's a Chemistry Pre-Med Major. As previously stated, I'm Music Education (which might as well be a double major).
The other night my we entered into a debate over who's classes were more "mentally taxing" or more challenging. He was attempting to argue that his course schedule, while an hour less (technically) than mine was more difficult while I argued that it wasn't any more/less difficult than mine, but simply different. I spend my time practicing or slaving away in MacGamut. While he spends his time in a science/math program called Aleks and taking more lecture classes than I have. I spend less time in a lecture style classroom, and more time with instrument in hand. This doesn't make my academic path any more/less challenging than his. It's just a different approach to a different career. The debate ran in circles.
...He's at a state funded college, and I'm at a private liberal arts college...
I'll get it through his head later...
But let's say I was at USC with him. If I was in the music program, I would only be in the music program. I wouldn't be familiar with any buildings besides Koger and the School of Music (that doesn't even have a real name, how sad) building. But I'm at Converse, I'm taking classes in Kuhn and I'll have classes in Phifer and Carmichael. I'm not limited to a small tunnel of light that highlights my path as the challenging, high & mighty one. I can acknowledge (and experience) the complexities, struggles, and appreciations within various fields of study, not just one.
[I kind of accept that this is not what the question addressed, and seems rather tangential... but this was my take on it.]

[Point Four.]
On Convocation.
I'm not going to lie. I sat in the back and it was hard to take away much of anything from Dr. Mad's speech, which I'm rather upset by. All the upperclassmen who's had her as a professor sing her praises and I was looking forward to having that same appreciation and respect for her. Full Moon isn't the only group to blame for my exaggerated ADD that afternoon. The three girls in front of me were talkative and the epitome of what we discussed being horrible concert etiquette. Beyond them, my grumbling stomach was a disruption in itself.
What I took from the pieces of her speech that I did get to enjoy, was that we should enjoy the study abroad programs (while the opportunity cost is low) and expand our horizons in ways that only Converse could offer. We're at Converse to "Make Things Happen."