In Conversation With
During our previous conversation with the Associate
An important skill for a citizen of the world.
Dean of Admissions and Coordinator of International
Recruitment at Amherst College, Wan Xiaofeng, he ref- I also think that being someone who can commu-
erenced the work of prominent American Studies scholar, nicate with anyone, or who can solve problems and
William Cronon. Mr. Cronon writes on the goals and values puzzles, is connected to leadership qualities. The
of a ‘liberal education’ in his essay, “The Goals of a Liberal ability to be in an environment with people who
Education,” and he highlights several qualities of indi- are not like you, to understand where people are
viduals who embody this educational philosophy. In your coming from, and to make a compelling case for
opinion, how does Keystone Academy prepare students for something are the qualities that leaders have. So
the kind of ‘liberal education’ Cronon talks about? What is these elements of liberal arts education… are also
the value of this type of education in China and beyond? elements of preparing students for what they’re
going to face in modern life. The world is becom-
Rachael: Cronon talks about the qualities of a liberal ing smaller and smaller. Our children will need
education. Being able to listen and hear what people to interact more with people who have different
are saying; to read deeply and understand a text; to upbringings than they have, who have different
be able to make a case for something in a way that educational experiences, and who come from dif-
convinces people of your perspective; to be able to ferent value systems. If they’re not able to do some
solve problems, generate new ideas, and develop of these basic things such as listen, hear, under-
inventive solutions. I would add that these catego- stand, and communicate then it will make things
ries have other labels… for example, helping kids more challenging in their personal life and their
to become critical thinkers… Well, what does that work life. So, I think that what liberal arts schools
mean? It means that students can read something, are trying to do is really significant and important.
they can understand it, and they can respond to it. And because many of them are small in size, they
Students are able to say: “What do I think about have an environment that allows them to develop
this text? Do I agree with it? Do I think it’s true? these kinds of skills more personally than might be
Do I need more information?” They can express possible in a large university.
their thoughts and their ideas about the text, and
they can do that in ways that are convincing and If you are in an auditorium of 200 students where
compelling. They can express their thoughts well someone is lecturing at you and you are taking
both verbally and in writing, and they can make a notes, there is very little interaction with the pro-
compelling case for their beliefs. So, it’s the ability fessor. Maybe there are small group sessions led by
to think seriously, critically, and expressively about graduate students, but it’s one step removed from
things. the lecturer and her ideas. It’s one step away from
Cronon’s ability “to listen and hear” is something and responding to your ideas. It’s not that this can’t
I would also connect to social awareness and cul- happen in a large university setting as well, but it is
tural competency. Some people listen to you, but more challenging and less frequent.
the professor communicating with you personally
they don’t really hear anything that you’re saying.
Or, they listen to respond and react, instead of So, I appreciate this in a small liberal arts approach.
listening to understand or acknowledge. To listen I also worry about kids deciding too early and too
carefully and understand deeply is what it means soon what they think they want to do with their life
to be culturally competent and able to engage and without being exposed to enough ways of thinking
interact in a multicultural context. It means you about the world… There’s no question that for
can engage fully with someone different from you. some kids, from very early on, they are certain
The Keystone Magazine 84