Abstract
The employability of liberal arts education is a concern in a specialized labor market. As a result, there has been much-debated interest in determining the value of a liberal arts degree. Globally, there has been a greater demand for knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM-related fields. Consequently, a liberal arts education's significance has left public opinion to contemplate its value and existence. This qualitative instrumental case study used the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness Competencies as the theoretical framework to identify the qualities, skills, and role liberal arts students at an HBCU contributed to a User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) design course. The study utilized four methods of data collection and three themes linked to the NACE Competencies that supported the skills of liberal arts students in a UX/UI design course: oral and written communication, teamwork and collaboration, and global and intercultural fluency.
TopBackground
Value of a Liberal Arts Degree Compared to a Specialized Degree
This section provides scholarly research to detail the background on liberal arts education, Historically Black Colleges and Universities connections to liberal arts education, the value of liberal education, and the most relevant understanding of it and its connection to employability. Although there is a great debate over the value of a liberal arts education, there is very little research on employability and liberal arts at HBCUs. Therefore, this chapter section seeks to provide some foundation on a liberal arts education.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Liberal Arts Education: Involves a broad scope of disciplines that expands on humanistic inquiries through subjects associated with humanities and the arts.
Upskilling: Includes enhancing skills through additional training and education.
Oral and Written Communication: Entails articulating and sharing thoughts and ideas in various settings and forms, including verbal and written modes of communication.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval: Involves the protocols and permission set by an institution's ethics or review board committee to conduct a study on human research subjects.
Multidisciplinary Approach: Entails the inclusion of multiple disciplines while using the expertise of each to identify problems and reach solutions to complex issues.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Consist of working in groups to achieve a common goal.
Career Readiness Competencies: Consist of eight essential skills or competencies that employers seek in students or graduates to succeed in the workplace.
Global and Intercultural Fluency: Involves the inclusion of diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.
Employability: Involves a set of skills and attributes that marks a person's ability to obtain and retain employment.