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Why Creative Expression is the Most Underrated LSA Distribution

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, October 24th 2025 at 18:07 GMT by Her Campus
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Creative Expression: The Unsung Pillar of Michigan’s Liberal Studies

When Michigan students first arrive on campus, they’re told to “fill in the gaps” by taking courses in the four LSA distribution areas—humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and creative expression. While the first three categories often get the limelight, creative expression (the arts, music, theater, dance, and film) tends to be overlooked, even though it may offer the most profound payoff for a liberal arts education. A recent Her Campus feature, “Why creative expression is the most underrated LSA area distribution,” explores why this creative domain deserves more recognition, both for its intrinsic value and its practical benefits to students across disciplines.

The LSA Framework and the “Gap”

The University of Michigan’s Liberal Studies and Arts (LSA) program requires that undergraduates complete 12 credits in each distribution area. Creative expression is one of these mandatory blocks, but many students treat it as a formality—an obligation to finish a semester of “fun” classes that will eventually count toward a degree. The Her Campus article points out that this perception stems from a broader cultural bias that equates the arts with frivolity rather than rigor. However, creative expression courses demand just as much intellectual effort as any research‑heavy science class, the authors note.

Why Creative Expression Matters

The piece highlights the many ways that creative courses enrich a student’s critical thinking, communication, and problem‑solving skills. A professor of theatre cited how students in a “performance studies” course learn to read scripts, analyze characters, and craft narratives—skills that translate to research writing and data presentation. A music historian described the disciplined practice of learning a new instrument as a microcosm of scientific inquiry, with its iterative experimentation, pattern recognition, and persistence.

In addition, the article emphasizes the social and emotional benefits of the arts. Creative expression encourages empathy and cultural awareness—essential components of a well‑rounded liberal education. A case study in the article follows a sophomore who, after a semester of creative writing, gained confidence in public speaking and leadership, eventually leading a campus debate team.

Student Voices: The “Creative Gap” Experience

Several students interviewed for the feature reflect the dual nature of the creative expression requirement. One senior, a biology major, admitted that she initially avoided taking a visual arts class because she feared it would add to her workload. After completing a painting workshop, she described the experience as “an unexpected reset button.” She noted that it helped her process the emotional toll of her coursework, and that the lessons in patience and composition benefited her lab reports.

Another student, an economics major, shared how a film studies course sharpened her analytical eye. The instructor guided them through the structure of narrative arcs and the mechanics of visual storytelling, enabling the student to apply those concepts when evaluating market trends in a finance seminar.

These narratives underscore the article’s central claim: creative expression courses often offer a surprisingly high return on investment—academic, personal, and professional.

Addressing the Gap: Institutional Support and Resources

The Her Campus article also examines how the University of Michigan is working to dismantle the stigma surrounding creative expression. A recent campus initiative, highlighted in a link to the U‑M LSA policy page, encourages students to schedule creative expression early in their academic calendar. The policy states that “students who enroll in arts courses early can benefit from a smoother progression through major requirements later on.”

Moreover, the article links to the U‑M Department of Fine Arts, which offers scholarships, mentorships, and studio spaces for students who wish to delve deeper into the arts. The department’s initiatives, such as a “Creative Labs” program, give students access to interdisciplinary projects that blend technology, performance, and visual media. These resources aim to normalize the creative discipline as a serious academic pursuit.

The Ripple Effect on Career Paths

Beyond the classroom, the article reports on the hidden career advantages of creative expression. Many employers now value creative problem‑solving and storytelling—skills often honed in arts courses. A career services survey, referenced via a link to the U‑M Career Center, found that 68% of alumni who had taken at least one creative expression course felt better prepared for the workforce. Creative expression alumni in fields ranging from public relations to software development consistently cited their arts background as a differentiator in interviews.

Conclusion: Reframing the Narrative

In its concluding remarks, the Her Campus piece urges both students and faculty to reframe creative expression as a core, not a peripheral, component of the LSA curriculum. The article calls on faculty to incorporate more interdisciplinary projects that blend arts with science and social science. It also encourages students to view creative expression not as a detour but as an essential stop on the journey toward a well-rounded, intellectually robust education.

Through a blend of student testimonials, faculty insights, and institutional policy analysis, “Why creative expression is the most underrated LSA area distribution” paints a compelling picture: the arts are not a luxury but a necessity for a truly comprehensive liberal studies experience at the University of Michigan.