The purpose of the liberal arts has always been to develop the human ability to read critically, write convincingly, and think broadly. Today, in the highly complex social and business environment we are experiencing, such a broad intellectual base is becoming a must for any manager aspiring to succeed.
Therefore, choosing a Management degree that is not limited to economic and scientific education is a well-considered first step on your career path.
A Valuable Education Relays on Multidisciplinarity
Studying at a top business school can make you a great candidate for various industries. Yet, in recent years, many employers have become concerned that the standard business curriculum prioritises specialised, technical education at the expense of more well-rounded personal development.
For many top CEOs, the solution lies in the liberal arts. For example, being involved in courses like psychology, history, or philosophy develop interpersonal and critical thinking skills not teachable through the math and science of ordinary business degrees. Many top business schools are taking notice, rounding out their core business and management curriculums with politics, psychology and world history courses that offer students a fresh perspective.
ESCP Business School was undoubtedly among the pioneers of this multidisciplinary approach, also modelling its Bachelor in Management (BSc) on it.
In fact, alongside advanced mathematics, statistics and accounting, the BSc curriculum offers finance, marketing, and economics. But there is even more. Modules such as ‘Introduction to Psychology and Sociology’, ‘Presentation, Discussion and Rhetoric Skills’, ‘Intercultural Skills’, and others complete the picture of a well-rounded education.
Liberal Arts Subjects Allow for Broader Business Perspectives
Business degrees are often criticised for being too narrowly focused on subject-specific skills. Also, according to studies, business graduates underperform in essential areas like communication and critical thinking when compared to their arts and science peers. Liberal arts degrees, in contrast, offer more general training but encourage students to ponder more significant questions and grasp more all-encompassing concepts.
Bridging this gap, students that study liberal arts courses during their management degree become more complete professionals. Courses focusing on history, politics, international relations, and culture are especially helpful in broadening perspectives and preparing students to incorporate insights from a variety of fields and schools of thought.
Thinking about big questions also prepares business students to challenge assumptions and maintain strong professional ethics. Many leading commentators attribute industry malpractice and financial crashes to narrow business perspectives that favour expediency over moral standards. The liberal arts undoubtedly help business schools train ethically-minded professionals by encouraging students to consider decisions from broader viewpoints.
- READ ALSO: BA vs. BSc vs. BBA: How ESCP’s Bachelor in Management (BSc) Combines the Best of All Three Degrees
Employers Look for Diversity of Knowledge in a Management Graduate
Employer feedback might be the most compelling reason to study liberal arts courses. A recent study by the Association of American Colleges and Universities found that 80% of participating employers thought that all students should graduate from a programme that provides liberal arts training. Employers also describe as unhelpful the compartmentalisation in higher education that keeps business and liberal arts studies separate.
While graduates of liberal arts degrees typically struggle in a competitive job market, attending some courses during your Management studies can make you very attractive to employers seeking the most complete candidates. An effective programme like the Bachelor in Management (BSc) at ESCP Business School will thus provide students with liberal arts training, building their skills and enhancing their professional profile.
Are you looking to benefit from liberal arts courses during your BSc in Management? Contact ESCP Business School to learn more about what we offer!
