Attempts by the faculty at Baker University to introduce American undergraduates to the history of the Western tradition as part of their general education are described. The strengths and weaknesses of the Western civilization course and of the core curriculum formerly offered by the college are analyzed. The rationale for the interdisciplinary…

A general education course for sophomores at Baker University entitled "Shaping of Western Thought" is described. The goals of the university's general education program are enumerated and the ways in which this course serves those purposes are discussed. Focus in the course is on both personal and social values. Three values--love,…