Leaders of liberal-arts colleges talked up the benefits of interdisciplinary approaches to learning at a conference here on Wednesday. They also described the many obstacles that often prevent instructors and students from crossing curricular boundaries.

Wendy L. Hill, Lafayette College's provost and dean of the faculty, said interdisciplinary studies take students away from "their focus on majoritis." Moreover, she said, building strong interdisciplinary programs enables liberal-arts colleges to affirm their distinctiveness. The conference—"The Future of the Liberal Arts College in America and Its Leadership Role in Education Around the World"—ended later Wednesday after sessions had tackled such topics as cost and quality as well as the sector's future.