April 18, 2010

On Many Campuses, the Humanities Are Holding Their Own

At Many 2-Year Colleges, the Humanities Hold Their Own 2

Amanda Smith for The Chronicle

Lane Community College's new production of Romeo and Juliet asks whether the lovers' fate can be changed, and includes music from Lady Gaga.

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close At Many 2-Year Colleges, the Humanities Hold Their Own 2

Amanda Smith for The Chronicle

Lane Community College's new production of Romeo and Juliet asks whether the lovers' fate can be changed, and includes music from Lady Gaga.

By Ben Gose

The trustees of Lane Community College last month named "liberal education"—in which the humanities play a starring role—as one of the college's strategic priorities for the next five years.

It may seem like a strange move for the Eugene, Ore., college, given all the talk about work-force development at community colleges these days. Late last month, President Obama signed legislation that provides $2-billion for job training at two-year colleges.