About the College
The College of Arts and Sciences is a community of life-long learners engaged in the creative use of knowledge, culture, and reflection to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Through its interdisciplinary programs, offerings in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and fine arts, the college prepares students for productive careers, active leadership and responsible citizenship in the global and diverse community of the future. In the classroom, laboratory, studio and library, the goal of both students and faculty is to create a dynamic learning community that focuses principally upon the students and their personal, intellectual and professional growth and development.
The College offers degree programs in the full range of arts and sciences disciplines and interdisciplinary programs, enabling students to lay the groundwork for careers in business, the arts and the professions, including teaching. It also provides the liberal education experiences for students in the University's undergraduate professional programs, and, through its School of Fine Arts, addresses the artistic needs of all members of the Drake community.
- Objectives: The College of Arts and Sciences attempts to develop in its students qualities that make them effective participants in society. Specifically, it strives to help them:
Acquire knowledge and understanding in arts and sciences disciplines; Students engaged in systematic and intensive study of the disciplines comprising the arts and sciences achieve a mastery of essential facts and insights that enable them to live knowledgeably, participate intelligently in political and social affairs, appreciate their natural and cultural environments, and pursue successfully vocations consistent with their interests.
Develop personal abilities;
Arts and sciences students acquire competence in the skills needed for extending their knowledge, understanding and appreciation throughout the range of human interest. They develop the ability to reason effectively by applying critical analysis and constructive solutions to problems as they arise and proficiency in presenting information and expressing judgments in an interchange of opinion. They prepare to contribute to society through clear thinking, creativity and aptitude for participating in decision-making.Establish a place in society.
Arts and sciences students gain an understanding of the nature and practical significance of the total environment. They become acquainted with persistent problems and anticipate social problems and possible solutions. They also develop an appreciation of the values that one discovers through one's own creative expressions and interpretations in such forms of art as literature, drama, music, painting and sculpture.Studies in the arts and sciences lead to a readiness to make wise adaptations to new conditions and aid in the selection of a vocation that is based on one's well-balanced qualifications.
Additionally, the Drake University School of Fine Arts seeks to fulfill the following objectives:
- To integrate academic and cultural experiences in the curricula of its students;
- To cultivate the practical side of the arts;
- To develop excellence in performance in students' chosen fields;
- To prepare students to teach in their chosen fields;
- To contribute to the cultural and artistic life of all students of the University and the people of the community.