Reports on teacher education calling for reform of undergraduate courses and curricula in arts and sciences, while eliminating the undergraduate degree in education do not adequately reflect the realities of the classroom. The Carnegie and the Holmes reports, among others, claim that prematurely specializing undergraduate education students causes…

Noting the recent massive effort on the part of the State University System in Florida to improve instruction in English and the Classics, this document reviews that system's Letters Program. Following a brief introduction, the first section offers information on how the report was compiled, and summarizes findings on the following: (1) the…

Approaches to increasing minority group participation (women, Chicanos, Native Americans, and Blacks) in educational research and development at large universities are addressed. It is suggested that commitment by a college to increase minority participation in research should be indicated in its mission statement. One of the major problems has…

Perspectives concerning the current disenchantment about undergraduate curricula and the bachelors degree are offered in this keynote address. It is suggested that rising expectations and unfulfilled hopes for higher education from the 1960s may be a factor. In the 1960s a sense of reform and rediscovery later created an expectation among students…

Studies offered by the Department of Technology and Society at the State University of New York at Stony Brook are described. The program of studies for nonengineering students provides an introduction to the characteristics, capabilities, and limitations of the technological environment. The college provides courses for undergraduates in the…

Revised general education (GE) curricula at two community colleges are described in an effort to illustrate the outcomes of a "telic" curriculum revision based on: (1) the collective identification of the purposes of GE by an institution's faculty, and (2) the design of a GE curriculum which reconciles those identified purposes with the…

This is one of a series of 14 instructional components of a semester-long, environmental earth science course developed for undergraduate students. The course includes lectures, discussion sessions, and individualized learning carrel lessons. Presented are the lecture notes for 10 lectures on the topics of geologic time, natural resources, and…

This is one of a series of 14 instructional components of a semester-long, environmental earth science course developed for undergraduate students. The course includes lectures, discussion sessions, and individualized learning carrel lessons. Presented are the study guide and script for a learning carrel lesson on processes and changes that have…

There are several ways in which the computer science department at the small liberal arts college can contribute to the richness of the institution's undergraduate curriculum. In addition to providing training for students interested in computer-related careers, the department, by offering courses for non-majors in the field, can broaden the…

Describes a collaborative program initiated by Evergreen State College and Seattle Central Community College in Washington to promote faculty revitalization, curricular reform, and interinstitutional articulation. Examines the new curriculum of Seattle Central, as an intentionally designed "learning community," structured to sustain academic…

Project Kaleidoscope, based on a 2-year study of science and mathematics programs at 200 colleges, seeks to improve recruitment, preparation, and retention of teachers in those disciplines, reshape introductory courses, provide faculty fellowship and research opportunities, revamp teacher education, and forge relationships among public agencies,…

Discusses the visual arts in relation to cultural literacy. Agrees with E. D. Hirsch that even a superficial acquaintance with certain things can enhance understanding of many others. Propounds upon the general education of undergraduates. Considers what the goal of cultural literacy means for elementary, secondary, and college curricula. (KM)

Discussed is the idea of increasing the humanities requirements for chemical engineers. Reported are the results of a survey to determine what other universities are doing about increased general education requirements. A copy of the survey is included. (MVL)

Describes a new BS degree in secondary science/mathematics teaching being offered at Florida State University. Notes that the science concentration is either chemistry-physics or chemistry-biology. Indicates approximately 40 semester hours split between the science subjects are required. Notes that both a prospective and inservice track are…

Follows the development of a course in nuclear and radiochemistry at Penn State. Lists specific nuclear science topics covered in the undergraduate level course. Describes audio-visual materials that have been developed for the course and includes a survey of students taking the course. (ML)