The results of several studies of the humanities and social sciences in undergraduate engineering education are presented and discussed. The first chapter explains the value of humanities and social sciences coursework and describes briefly some of the obstacles confronting efforts to improve it. The second chapter summarizes the findings of two…

Written from the perspective of a textbook editor, this paper reviews the limitations on curricular reform in mathematics. In the first section, an argument is presented that the style and manner of the presentation of educational materials are more important than the content presented. This section also raises objections to the current push to…

Arguing that a successful general education program depends upon an integrated curriculum, this paper urges community colleges to take a strong leadership role in developing a curriculum that is consistent with historical, cultural, and biological realities. After underscoring the need for interdisciplinary education, the paper provides a…

Movements calling for reform in undergraduate education and the initiative for civic responsibility are traced, demonstrating that they have mutual concerns and self-interests. Though largely separate from and unknown to each other, their complementarity provides the basis for joint action. By integrating efforts to increase student involvement in…

Views on the 1985 Association of American Colleges' (AAC) report, "Integrity in the College Curriculum," are presented based on lessons from the Greeks and specifically the period 450 to 350 B.C.E. Seven inferences are made on what an Athenian might offer in response to the AAC Report. For the Greeks, the goal of education was wisdom and…

Ways to involve agricultural educators in international development projects are considered. Agricultural educators with expertise in the field of educational process in agricultural education are needed. These individuals should be proficient in needs assessment and program and curriculum development. The skills of agricultural educators are…

Images of Black women in Hispanic literature tend to be the work of White authors or Black male authors who, however well-intentioned, cannot articulate the direct, lived experience of the black, Hispanic woman. Moreover, the image of the Black woman in Spain and Latin America is the result of a slavocratic, patriarchal system and, therefore,…

The origins of general education are traced to the seven liberal arts in ancient Greece, showing the influence of Socrates, Plato, the Sophists, and others. Examined are the early conflict over the sources of knowledge and the uses to which it should be put. Relevance to the college curriculum is shown, and it is told how this was broadened to…

An overview of the general education programs in higher education is presented and six curricular patterns are discussed. The distribution model requires students to generalize their fields of knowledge to some extent and acquaints students with various modes of discourse. Integrative models aim to draw upon the knowledqe and methodological…

The areas of educational programs, their design and operation, their intellectual base, and their philosophic presumptions are examined. Part One discusses the nature of academic programs in colleges and universities: influences, purposes, and priorities; and the concept of curriculum and its origins, definition, and design. It is proposed that…

A stage in the development of new courses is discussed. Advice is given to course teams in the social sciences faculty at the Open University (England) on arranging for course team review of drafts of new courses. Several methods are discussed briefly: the traditional method of circulating drafts in the course team and having a discussion with the…

This set of five essays explores the pros and cons of undergraduate core curricula in colleges and universities. Core curricula are seen as either providing the ideal educational base and a shared background, or as a loss of diversity and a protective shell that faculties can use to avoid considering the relevance of a liberal arts education. (JMD)

The state of the humanities in the college and university curriculum and community, as expressed through the medium of television, and in the "parallel school" (museums, libraries, educational broadcasting, state humanities councils, and historical organizations) is discussed and recommendations are made. (MSE)

Retiring Secretary of Education William Bennett answers questions about his statements on the quality and costs of higher education, current administration attitudes about minority access, and the politics of education at the federal level. (MSE)

To improve clinical teaching, simple and consistent expectations for the learning performance of students, residents, and attending faculty members will suffice. Comprehensive bedside teaching permits the educational and evaluative loops to occur. Excessive focus on details, regimentation, national guidelines, and long lists of goals and…