Should professors of history or philosophy or English literature spend more time contemplating how their classes can help students get jobs?

John Coleman, the new dean of liberal arts at the University of Minnesota, thinks they should.

Coleman, a political-science professor himself, is well aware that people are a little skeptical these days about the value of a humanities degree. That's one reason, he said, that he's unveiling a new "road map" for the College of Liberal Arts this week, to emphasize the practical side of a liberal arts education.

"There's been a large debate among people who are fans of the liberal arts about how much we should be thinking about career development for students," he said. He believes that his college owes it to students to help them bridge the gap between school and career.

In a speech at the U Wednesday night, he laid out the challenge: "I know from talking with students and parents that they worry about a focus in the liberal arts," he wrote. "Let me be blunt. Those of us in academia who are gainfully employed should think twice about telling students and parents that they shouldn't worry about such things."

One answer, in his view, is to do a better job of helping students see how their classwork can translate into the "soft skills" that employers value: how to analyze problems, "think inventively" and express themselves well.

Another, he said, is to amp up career advising starting with freshman year, and to reach out more to alumni who are willing to help students through mentoring, internships or jobs.

The dean plans to post his new road map on the college website, cla.umn.edu.

"This [is] really important stuff. It's not a luxury and it's not a distraction for us," he said. "A lot of times these discussions about jobs and careers are dealt with on the margins. We want to move this into the center."

maura.lerner@startribune.com