Literature and History is a part of a broader effort to address a profound imbalance in the curriculum of 69ɫ, a liberal arts university with few programs and concentrations specifically situated in the humanities or which address the liberal arts in any substantial way. If 69ɫ is to remain a center of the liberal arts in Central Asia, it needs courses and concentrations to cement that reputation together with students and professors proficient in the skills and disciplines of this heritage. It is critical for 69ɫ to build competencies in new fields such as software engineering or environmental studies but equally critical it marry these efforts with continued, persistent attempts to convince students that there is value in sharpening and refining thought through the study of art, literature, and history.
Literature and History is meant to undermine the notion that a liberal arts degree has no benefit by training students with the skills and abilities necessary to enroll in elite universities in the US and Europe. The goal is to brand the concentration as a gateway to advanced study and opportunities abroad through steep entrance requirements and by cultivating intensive reading and writing across a single curriculum. Designed for students aspiring to careers in academia, the analytical skills it fosters are equally valuable for those considering work or further study in law, government, or politics.