This book discusses liberal arts education and liberal arts colleges in the context of East Asia, specifically focusing on Japan, China and S. Korea where it has become an emerging issue in higher education in recent years. It first explores the development, concepts and challenges of liberal arts education and liberal arts colleges in East Asia. It then delineates the implications of the best practices of selected liberal arts colleges inside and outside East Asia, and offers policy and pedagogical guidelines for the future of liberal arts colleges and programs in East Asia and beyond.

The contributors place the development of Asian studies programs in small colleges in historical context, make a compelling case for the inclusion of Asian studies in the liberal arts curriculum, and consider the challenges faced in developing and sustaining Asian studies programs and ways of meeting such challenges now and in the future.

This book brings together English translations of thirteen research papers published in recent years by Chinese historians, sociologists, and educators. These papers investigate various dimensions of the legacy of China’s historic The Christian Universities which continues to inspire higher education reform in China even in the twenty-first century. This book focuses on Christian Universities, which fostered a particularly notable Liberal Arts Education in the Chinese context. Besides embracing some ideals in common with Liberal Arts Education developed in the West, their Liberal Arts Education curriculum had an emphasis on readings in the classics, history, philosophy, religion, ethics, and literature which conveyed traditional Chinese values. The Christian Universities also shared a strong commitment to moral formation, community service, and global citizenship education. This book emphasizes Liberal Arts Education that focused on the whole person, where academic knowledge, skills, and character were equally valued. The book presents distinctive characteristics of the study of Christian higher education in China and the interplay between globalization and localization.

Despite - or because - we live in calculative and instrumental times in higher education, liberal arts colleges and programmes are flourishing. They draw students fascinated by society and culture who want to make a creative contribution. The Reinvention of Liberal Learning around the Globe is an indispensable introduction to this diverse and brilliant educational world. (Simon Marginson, Professor of Higher Education; Director of ESRC/RE Centre for Global Higher Education, University of Oxford) The editors pull together a diverse set of authors to share a wide range of approaches and trends in shaping the present and future of our liberal arts institutions and programs. The diversity of perspectives makes this book of interest and use to anyone thinking deeply about and acting in support of the future of higher education and liberal arts education. (Michael McDonald, President, Great Lakes Colleges Association and the Global Liberal Arts Alliance) This book rigorously questions and redefines liberal arts education by examining unique contexts of Asia, North and South America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. It also considers the complexity of contemporary issues and emerging innovations in higher education. With the diversity of perspectives and experiences presented by the international authors, we could envision future liberal arts education in nurturing global and caring leaders with multiple collaborative possibilities through this book. (Mikiko Nishimura, Professor of International Christian University, Japan; Co-President of the Global Research Network for Liberal Arts Education) This volume comprehensively documents the transforming nature of liberal arts institutions within the overall tensions provided by the global pandemic occurring at the intersection with a major transitional moment of technology and communication. Its timeliness is underscored by the geographic reach of its contributions, providing a unique perspective on the multitude of ways in which higher education is responding to these powerful forces. (Deane E. Neubauer, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Hawaii, Manoa; Associate Director of the Asia Pacific Higher Education Research Partnership) This is a most timely overview and analysis of liberal arts worldwide. The editors brought together thoughtful scholars from around the world to demonstrate the dogged persistence, resiliency, and vulnerability of the liberal arts. For those who still believe that the key value of higher learning is to enrich the intellect, enliven the spirit, and take more responsibility for the future of humanity, this valuable book provides a framework for the future. (Gerard A. Postiglione, Emeritus Professor, Honorary Professor of Education, The University of Hong Kong Chapter 3 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.