Liberal Arts Education and Film Studies in the UK: The Expansion of General Education and the Integrative Potential of Film

This study explores the integrative potential of film education within contemporary Liberal Arts education, focusing on its role in expanding the scope of general education in higher education. Rooted in the classical traditions of Greco-Roman liberal learning, Liberal Arts education has evolved into a modern educational model that emphasizes interdisciplinarity, critical thinking, and intellectual flexibility. Film, as a medium that intersects humanities, social sciences, arts, and digital technologies, offers a particularly effective platform for realizing the core principles of Liberal Arts education. This paper first compares the institutional structures and educational philosophies of Liberal Arts education in the United States and the United Kingdom, highlighting their shared foundations and key differences. It then conducts case studies of BA Liberal Arts programmes at the University of Southampton, the University of Warwick, and King’s College London, with a particular focus on how film-related curricula are embedded within interdisciplinary educational frameworks. The findings indicate that these institutions utilize film education not merely as an artistic subject but as a critical tool for examining social, cultural, philosophical, and technological issues. Through these cases, the study demonstrates that film functions as a central medium for interdisciplinary inquiry and critical practice within Liberal Arts education. Ultimately, this research suggests that the integration of film education into Liberal Arts curricula offers a viable model for the future development of general education and cultural education in higher education.