This discussion paper examines the trend toward increased interdisciplinarity in the academy. Part 1 provides an overview of current trends, with emphasis on three areas: disciplinary change, interdisciplinary fields, and general education. It addresses the question of why interdisiciplinarity is taking hold in the academy today. Part 2 presents…

Cites the Rockefeller Commission's findings regarding humanistic studies. Outlines steps for bringing humanism back to the humanities, e.g., by clarifying the humanities' substance and identity, elucidating a cogent and persuasive rationale for their study, and underscoring the importance of a cultural/humanistic context for vocational training.…

This book discusses general education reform through a focus on college curricula. It is based on information from individual institutions collected in part through a survey and in part through institutional publications and "fugitive literature" such as committee reports, faculty senate resolutions, and other unpublished materials. Part 1 of the…

Describes the University of Arkansas at Monticello's development and implementation of a new general education curriculum. Explains the rationale for change, process of moving the faculty toward reform, and future directions of the curriculum. (DMM)

The terms "humanities" and "new technology" have a broad spectrum of meanings, which often imply a tension between two somewhat incompatible concepts. If one views humanities as the general learning that should be in the possession of all human beings and new technology as the convergence of two or more sophisticated technologies in expansive and…

Raises questions about the value of general education: Is general education a historical ideal whose time is past? Why include general education as a basis for accreditation? In what ways is general education central to other higher learning? Should some specialized institutions be allowed to waive the general education component? (DMM)

General education is the process of developing a framework on which to place knowledge stemming from a variety of sources. Its goals are to help students think critically, develop values, understand traditions, respect diverse cultures and opinions, and, most importantly, put that knowledge to use. Even though its goals parallel socially supported…

This paper addresses the issue of defining the concept of core curriculum by first examining some of the literature on the subject, discussing why there is resistance to defining "core," citing common uses for the term "core curriculum," and exploring the historical roots of core curriculum. Next, the paper describes eight…

The current discipline-based organizational structure of the college curriculum in which general education is treated as an isolated learning experience should be replaced with a more integrated curriculum. In addition, general education should take different forms in institutions with different missions. Such a curriculum redesign could help…

An introduction is provided to the Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) Program at Valencia Community College (VCC), a 2-year general education core curriculum divided into four courses. A description of VCC is followed by an overview of the program, which integrates the arts, philosophy, religion, English, mathematics, social sciences, and physical…

Guidelines for the higher education curriculum are presented, with attention directed to prerequisite courses, general education, educational objectives, criteria for selecting staff to monitor required courses, and professional education. Two specific concerns are the need to provide specific and well-written course descriptions in the general…

Expresses general agreement with Shapiro's "Scholarly Concerns of a Faculty of Education" and its position on schools of education as part of the larger university; the need of interdepartmental cooperation; and the importance of general education to teacher training. Describes the University of Calgary's joint General Studies/Elementary…

Discusses Allan Bloom's "The Closing of the American Mind" and its implications for higher education. Examines Bloom's analysis of historical changes that involved universities in societal pressures, thereby weakening them. Supports Bloom's mandate that universities delineate their function and measure achievement against the fundamental…

Describes present anthropological curricula both within the department and in other campus settings. Examines the role of anthropology in a proposal for revising General Curricular Requirements at Cleveland State University. Future prospects for the program are discussed. (JS)

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…