University of Regina Faculty of Arts encourages active learning
The Faculty of Arts at the University of Regina provides students with the opportunity to expand both their personal and academic horizons. The faculty offers over 20 areas of study in the humanities and social sciences – encouraging students to seek out the questions and the information they find interesting, said Dr. Richard Kleer, Dean of the Faculty of Arts.
“Somewhere between years two and three of their programs, students turn from passive accumulators of factual knowledge into what I would call active learners,” he said. “They’re able to dig out knowledge on their own, they’re able to form their own views, and they’re able to generate new ideas and questions.”
An Arts degree provides personal value to students; instilling the skills necessary for life-long learning – skills like reading, writing, and critical thinking. The enjoyment of studying subjects they are passionate about motivates students to put in the hard work that leads to professional payoff.
“If you become a self-motivated learner, the way Arts is trying to get you to become, it really adds to your employment potential, or at least to the value you bring to future employers,” said Kleer. “You’re enjoying what you’re doing, you’re learning, you’re growing, but at the same time acquiring a broad range of skills that could pay off in many different jobs.”
A 2016 study by the Business Council of Canada determined Canada’s largest employers are focused on hiring people with problem-solving abilities, who can work in teams and are willing to learn.
Kleer has found this is also what Regina employers are looking for in potential employees. The majority are looking for skills such as initiative, responsibility, written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work in teams. “They’re looking for interesting, capable people,” said Kleer. “You can get that with an Arts degree.”