How F&M Does the Liberal Arts
What Does Liberal Arts Mean?
A liberal arts education focuses on exploring a wide range of fields while building skills in reading, writing, thinking, analyzing, debating and active listening. While this concept dates back to the 5th century BC, the liberal arts have evolved alongside humanity, inspiring investigation into the eternal human condition and our collective future. You’ll study the humanities, arts, social sciences, and natural sciences; research enduring questions and pressing problems; and form a strong foundation of the skills and tools you need to navigate the most central concerns of your life, work, and citizenship.
Embracing the Ampersand
The ampersand in the middle of our College’s name symbolizes the rich space of possibility that awaits you here. Meaning “both/and,” the ampersand is the purpose — and the power — of the liberal arts: recognizing and forming connections between things that at first glance don't seem to go together. Called “Connections,” the curriculum at F&M encourages you to strive beyond traditional boundaries and discover how to make connections between disciplines that on the surface don’t seem related, between theory and practice, with other students and faculty, and between your liberal arts education and the world.
Learn more about Connections curriculum »The Core Elements of the Liberal Arts
The Sciences
Vibrant and inclusive, the sciences at F&M cross boundaries and weave subjects together in ways you didn’t know were possible. As a future scientist, you’ll find we’re committed to your education by providing a place of discovery and forming a culture of collaboration along the path to scientific discovery.
Explore the natural sciences at F&M
The Arts
At F&M, you’ll study technique and composition, theory and practice, and critique and analysis — but you’ll also have the opportunity to develop your own creative talents and skills. Faculty are committed to helping you stage your own play, compose your own music, choreograph your own dance moves, write your own novel, exhibit your own art, or produce your own film.
Humanities
When you study humanities at F&M, you’ll engage with the full range of human culture and experiences. By studying art and art history, languages, music, philosophy, religion and more, you’ll gain an intricate understanding of how each aspect of human society and culture connects.
The Social Sciences
Social sciences at F&M will help you develop a specialized understanding of societies, culture, and the human impact on our world. You’ll have opportunities to work side-by-side with deeply engaged faculty, collect and analyze data and investigate your own theories in fields such as economics, government, anthropology, archaeology, and history.