The Crisis in Foundational Studies and the Necessity of a Liberal Arts and Sciences College(LASC)

This paper addresses the inherent contradiction in universities since their inception, which involves the harmonization of discourse between liberal arts and specialized education and the creation of intellectuals with a blend of both general and specialized knowledge. Instead of resorting to traditional liberal arts approaches, this paper proposes a solution to the crisis in foundational studies from the perspective of creating a new paradigm known as “New Liberal Arts,” overcoming the internal contradictions fundamentally present in universities. Alongside this perspective, this paper reexamines the importance of foundational studies in today's context, taking into consideration the current crisis in Korean universities. It acknowledges the harsh reality of university restructuring and seeks practical approaches that account for the interdependence between universities and businesses, proposing a university reform framework. The paper suggests the establishment of a liberal arts and sciences college (LASC) as a realistic solution to reconstruct the university ecosystem within a society. Within this academic structure, this paper outlines a three-stage curriculum involving the classical liberal arts, foundational convergence education curriculum, and New Liberal Arts.