Մեջithin a Classical context, the fundamental liberal arts comprised of Grammar, Rhetoric իսկ Logic, and were provided to both free (liber) boys and girls. Slaves, on the other hand, were commonly limited to a skills-based education in the manual and technical realms.

The Medieval liberal arts curriculum was broadened to include Mathematics, Geometry, Music, Astronomy իսկ Dialectic (‘reasoning through dialogue’, which is different from Rhetoric – the ‘art of discourse’, իսկ Debate – best described as ‘argumentative persuasion’). The pragmatic core of the liberal arts provided an education that could benefit society at large, albeit paternalistic in nature. It was a rigorous curriculum, yet practical in application (including skills of composition and dialogue, analysis and scientific study, critical thinking, appreciation of the arts, as well as open-mindedness and citizenship).

Modern conceptual application of the liberal arts can be found in courses such linguistics, language and literature study, science and mathematics, fine and performing arts, history, comparative civilizations and religions, citizenship, psychology and political science.