We have kept with the liberal arts degree today with the precipice that the basic arts curriculum—was universally recognized as the foundation of the culture of a gentleman (Cohen, 2010, pg. 7); a more well-rounded individual. The development of “majors” produced experts in the field who then either became the teacher or went on to produce the product, whether it be religious leaders today, doctors, and lawyers, or workforce employees following with changing trends; musicians, laymen, teachers, etc.…We are no longer only teaching the rich sons, education is for anyone who chooses to go but at the same time, cost can be a factor on whether they attend. Socially, a college graduate is treated in higher respect than someone with a high school diploma; this stigma has not changed much. Although, those completing for jobs can hold either one, the higher education one, the opportunities are …show more content…
The focus was no longer on just theological learning. At this time, church and state were very strong voices in the policy making of the institutions. The mid-18th century Enlightenment impacted thinking throughout the Colonial Era; the importance of reason and human nature began to supplant biblical studies. Ethics became an important area of study (Cohen, 2010, p. 38, 40). This period of early Enlightenment where papers from Sir Isaac Newton and John Locke were making its way into the colleges and with Locke’s argument related to knowledge coming from experience and Newton’s theories measuring change (2009). People were taking notice that learning could be made through interchange and not just sitting there taking notes. Learning was changing and colleges were taking note and beginning to