IT - Neither InfoTech not Income Tax !

 When you see the word I.T, probably what comes into your mind is Info-Tech or those who are thinking about money, Income Tax. I am not referring to that IT !

I am referring to an I shaped or a T shaped graduate.

Why should one invest in a Liberal BA or BSc programme when we have the good old traditional programmes in the country (or abroad); is the question that I get asked by Parents.

Well, my counter question is do you want to be an ‘I’ shaped individual or a ‘T’ individual after graduation.

A traditional Undergraduate programme would focus on providing you with the depth in the chosen discipline (in Science, Social Science or Humanities), that too only if done well. Expertise in a single subject is what the traditional undergrad education focuses on, producing an I-shaped person-One who personifies depth or vertical expertise in a single discipline.

An ideal Liberal education grad is a T-Shaped individual. The vertical line of the T represents depth in one’s direction of specialization- The horizontal bar stands for breadth of knowledge in a number of themes and domains. A well-designed Liberal Education provides the learner with various options of taking courses in other disciplines making their learning experience inter-disciplinary. There will be courses to develop critical thinking and analytical abilities and additional courses to instill sensibilities for dialogue, debate and co-operative learning. Some of the curricular frameworks will also have courses in creative arts and areas.

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We need both I and the T individual, but probably more T individuals so that they can navigate the complex 21^st century confidently - The choice is yours !

 

Note : This idea of T individual is outlined quite well by Jeffrey J. Selingo (of The Chronicle of Higher Education ) in his various articles and book ‘There is Life after College’.