The Lone Liberal Artists in the Ed School: Reconnecting Foundations Scholars With the Liberal Arts

Abstract

This article begins from the premise that foundations scholars occupy an awkward place in the education school, because our work is predominantly grounded in the liberal arts but the work of other education scholars is predominantly preprofessional. To create a more meaningful place for foundations in the education school will require better understanding of why the education school has such a strained relationship with the liberal arts. This article offers a brief review of this relationship as reflected in current practice and scholarship and offers a historical and sociological explanation for this situation. The article concludes with some suggestions for ways that foundations scholars can reconnect with the liberal arts. Doing so could enhance the position of foundations scholars by broadening our scholarly community and extending the possibilities for the work we do.