The cultures of the science community and the humanities community misunderstand each other at the core, but there is more misunderstanding on the part of humanists about science than the reverse. If humanists insist that technical specialists study ethics and esthetics, what are the humanists prepared to study in return? (Author/MSE)

Highly specialized education is no longer relevant to the needs of our diversified society. A return to a broad, general education curriculum is needed. (HS)

The programs that will become the chief medium for giving women's studies a permanent place in the academic world are those in which scholars with other intellectual affiliations and interests work simultaneously (1) to develop women's studies and (2) to integrate its materials into the long-established university department. (MLW)

A discussion of cultural pluralism in higher education examines the rapid diversification of the university, looks at four frameworks for comprehending and ordering diversity in the West, and reflects on the ramifications of these frameworks for higher education curricula and organization. (MSE)

The success of a college or university must rest on its academic integrity. The college president sets the tone for an institution, determines the strength of general education and liberal learning. The presidents, the provosts, and the deans must take the initiative. (MLW)

The designation of "liberal" as the educational path toward a person's cultural completeness has given way to use of that term in contexts implying freedom for personal exploration of all kinds. The primary functions of the liberal education institution have become sidetracked by consumerism. (MLW)

The roles of the institution itself, faculty, the board, and issues of curriculum, finances and financial information in college closing are discussed. The pressures generated by closing often force resolution of difficult problems, even the definition of function and purpose felt by many institutions. (MSE)

A modestly financed, vigorously administered program of international studies at Emory University is described. The Emory Program in International Studies offers undergraduate courses (but no degree), sponsors lectures and programs, provides summer stipends for faculty to develop new courses, and publishes a monthly newsletter. (MLW)

Introductory college courses in science and mathematics are largely ineffective in either instructing students on the nature of science and mathematics or introducing students to further study. Legitimate introductions to mathematical and scientific literacy must engage students in the disciplines and equip them for further study. (MSE)

Multiculturalism is the best approach to helping higher education in the United States make the most of recent demographic changes. Multicultural curricular reform is the cornerstone to successful multicultural education. Isolationism by discipline, interest, or ethnic group, when temporary, is not intrinsically wrong but should be balanced with…

A syllabus that shows the diversity of cultures should be the "core curriculum." A linear narrative of American history, a selection of significant periods and then a discussion of what was happening simultaneously in many places, and an attempt to dramatize the future are all suggested for a core curriculum. (MLW)

During the '40s and '50s, an experiment in general education was conducted at the undergraduate college at the University of Chicago. "The Chicago Plan" included: students would enroll after two years of high school; a strictly prescribed curriculum; an autonomous faculty; and comprehensive exams to assess students' progress. (MLW)

The loose smorgasbord distribution requirements and free electives of the '60s, have given way to more proscribed requirements and core programs. General education is a response to a need to reaffirm the connectedness among people. The agenda for general education is to teach those common experiences, relationships, and ethical concerns. (MLW)

Six studies of general education are described. A Penn State survey details changes in general education requirements over 15 years. UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute used the college catalog to furnish information about curricular dimensions and others attempt to determine the effects of general education. (MLW)

The experience of a University of Rhode Island department in developing a new curriculum illustrates the difficulty of accomplishing meaningful change in the context of institutional regulations, divergent faculty priorities, institutional needs, and department politics. It is concluded that a new curriculum is not necessarily an effective change…