The historical evolution of liberal arts education: A systematic scoping review with global perspectives and future recommendations

Abstract

The interdisciplinary concept of liberal arts education, rooted in Western traditions, has been widely studied, yet its global shifts remain underexplored. This systematic scoping review was conducted through six databases for search up to May 2023. Out of 11,193 screened articles, a total of 295 studies were included to explore the global evolution of liberal arts education, focusing on its adaptive responses to political, social, and economic shifts. Three distinct phases in the evolution of liberal arts education have been identified: its philosophical foundations, the shift toward professional and market-driven demands, and a recent resurgence integrating traditional values with contemporary skills. Highlighting a shift towards a hybrid model, the study identifies a growing emphasis in recent literature on integrating diverse cultural perspectives, particularly from non-Western contexts, as a means to cultivate critical thinkers with multidisciplinary skills for navigating global challenges. This research fills a gap in understanding liberal arts’ global adaptability, offering strategic insights into its role in addressing future educational needs.