This book examines the full range of experience of the nation's baccalaureate candidates. Working around the premise that education is not something that professors do but rather something students participate in, this book gives succinct accounts of the full range of goals of undergraduate education, from the acquisition of certain proficiencies…

This paper discusses the inclusion of race, both as a construct and as an issue, in the introductory level of the college social science curriculum. First, a review of the literature concerning the general higher education curriculum indicates that a general education should prepare students for citizenship. Next, the paper presents evidence that…

This report describes what has been learned from three surveys about undergraduate academic dishonesty at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The surveys involved 891 undergraduates, approximately 490 faculty, and 481 graduate teaching assistants. Cheating was examined as a literal reality rather than as an abstract concept.…

This report addresses issues concerning arts and sciences majors, including how students and faculty view the major, the organization of the major in many institutions, restructuring the major, the importance of "connected learning," underrepresented students, and common dialogues across disciplines. Also, the report stresses the importance of the…

This report presents summaries of important issues and needed changes in how colleges and universities treat the undergraduate liberal arts major. This volume, volume 2, contains abridged versions of 12 field reports, written by task forces appointed by the participating learned societies. In the reports, campus practices within the liberal arts…

A variety of departmental and student outcomes data was obtained and analyzed from faculty and graduating seniors in 27 academic departments located at a university classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a Research II institution. The purpose of the study was to determine: (1) whether strong research orientation by an academic department…

Over 75 years ago, a British report on education commented on the confusion of aims in English language teaching, citing the quality of teaching, unsuitable textbooks, and lack of a coherent sense of purpose. Experience has shown that undergraduate linguistics has not come far since then. In the experimental, interdisciplinary program at the State…

A list of linguistics-related holdings in the Middlebury College (Vermont) library is presented as an example of a well-developed library collection for an undergraduate linguistics program. The materials are listed under 10 headings corresponding to the best-represented subareas in the collection: linguistics, semantics, grammar (comparative and…

Four issues of a University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA) newsletter by and for teaching assistants (TAs) are presented, with focus on writing, grading, undergraduate instruction, and plagiarism. Topics include: making writing assignments that are clear and provide clear grading criteria; writing with computers, writing by scientists and…

This is the fourth in a series of occasional papers that analyze the changes taking place in U.S. undergraduate education. This essay examines two streams of reform on the campus and in the curriculum--internationalization and diversification--and suggests that these separate movements must come together in a new paradigm of higher education in…

This paper reports on the success of a laboratory teaching technique for teaching undergraduate chemistry. Discussed are the premises of the approach, and the use of the computer, the explorations, and the seminar which are included in the course. (CW)

Explains a summer research program which is a part of a required junior and senior independent study program. Provides information on selection of applicants, activities, outcomes, and a list of names and student projects. (RT)

A university administrator and the cochair of the President's Council on Physical Fitness discuss how sports and academics should be integrated at the college level. The first looks at issues of academic standards and athletes and the role of the Knight Foundation Commission. The second offers the perspective of a member of the Knight Foundation…

Reports on a study of the number of four-year Bachelor's degrees awarded in economics in 1993-94. Finds that the number of undergraduate degrees in economics continues to decline. Presents three tables of statistical data and discusses possible reasons for this decline. (CFR)

A survey of National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC) members found that, although many purported to be assessing undergraduate student outcomes, most had only recently begun and could not identify specific improvements resulting. However, most found the association's statement of principles on outcomes…