Church, State, and Society: An Introduction to Catholic Social Doctrine by J. Brian Benestad is scheduled to be published next February by CUA Press. This comes from the description in the current catalog: "It makes the case that liberal-arts education is an essential part of the common good because it helps people understand their dignity and all that justice requires."

I disagree.
1. Since moral science (or moral theology) deals with what is general, it rarely goes into detail as to what is required by justice in a given society. What is required by justice in a given society is revealed through its (human) laws.

2. As for helping people understand their dignity -- this is what preaching is for.

Is this is an argument given by an academic who makes a living at a higher institution for learning?

A liberal education serves the common good, but not the political good. It serves the common good that is the good of all Creation, God. But it is not necessary for charity or salvation.