In both purpose and practice, general education in American higher education has experienced several recurring debates and national revivals. In a world with constantly evolving technology, students need a strong general education to be flexible and adaptable to the changes of the world. General education is an important component and requirement…

This paper examines history as a general education requirement in postsecondary institutions. General education tries to present a basic core of knowledge which is fundamental to all educated men and women. Research regarding goals for required general education and history reveals that a statement of goals is almost always couched in value terms.…

An overview is provided of recent efforts to review and redefine the associate degree, with special focus on a workshop sponsored by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges (CSCC) and the Miami-Dade Community College District (MDCCD) which attempted to sharpen the focus of the inquiry into the definition of the associate degree. First,…

Describes a study of general education at 700 colleges and universities, based on tabulation of credits and content analysis of goal statements. Examines degree requirements, the disciplines comprising general education, differences among majors, statements on general education, the use of labels, purpose and rationale, methods, and structure of…

This examination of the associate degree and its role within community college education in the United States begins with a historical perspective on the evolution of the associate degree since the beginning of the 20th century. Chapter II reviews the literature concerning the diversity of the associate degree and the ways in which it is perceived…

Goals and requirements for general education at Miami-Dade Community College are outlined in this proposal of the college's General Education Committee. Twenty-six goals of general education are presented in six categories: Fundamental Skills, The Individual, The Individual and the Future, The Individual and Other Persons and Groups, The…

The quest for the powers and skills of informed judgment, for the dual capacities of appreciation and criticism should stand as the goal of every level of the college curriculum. The fundamentals of a college education are seen as decisions between interpretations and the skill of understanding interpretations. (MLW)

Improvement of the lower division undergraduate program of the General College of the University of Minnesota is addressed. Attention is directed to the history of the program, the status of the project when the General College Assembly adopted its 1981 statement, and the nature of the work to be completed during the 1981-82 year. Reference is…

Describes how faculty and administrators at Washtenaw Community College (WCC) strengthened general education requirements by identifying 24 core learning elements and incorporating them into existing classes. Provides advice for other colleges undergoing core curriculum revision. (17 citations) (YKH)

This issue of "Forum," a journal designed to present ideas of California community college faculty, begins with "Community Colleges Can Keep the Door Open," by Jean B. Trapnell, which urges community colleges to reassess and integrate the new goals associated with lifelong learning with the primary goals of providing transfer,…