Liberal Arts
The broad range of Liberal Arts Department offerings in literature, history, philosophy, politics, cultural studies, social sciences, environmental studies, film, and foreign languages provides students with opportunities to study major academic disciplines as well as cultural, social, intellectual, and political contexts for music.
The Liberal Arts Department offers rich and varied opportunities for students to develop essential college-level skills in critical thinking, writing, and analysis, as well as important interpersonal skills involving public speaking, listening, and working in groups. We also offer a Minor in the Liberal Arts, which provides students the opportunity to work closely with a faculty advisor to concentrate on a focused area of study in the Liberal Arts.
Patrick Keppel, chair of Liberal Arts, teaches a drama workshop.
Patrick Keppel
From the Department Chair
I and my colleagues in the Liberal Arts have a unique perspective on the work students do at NEC. While not a part of the direct musical instruction here, study in the Liberal Arts is a key part of NEC’s core values as articulated in the Definition of an NEC-Educated Person. NEC’s goal is not simply to train technical masters, but to educate whole persons equipped with the critical thinking, reading, writing, interpersonal, and collaborative skills they will need to have successful careers both in and outside of music.
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Liberal Arts faculty
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