This paper discusses how Fort Hays State University (FHSU) in Hays, Kansas, is attempting to infuse elements of cultural diversity into its curriculum in order to increase students' sensitivities to and knowledge of other cultures. It reviews research and writings on cultural diversity in American society and in American higher education in…

A 1992 Indiana law required public institutions of higher education to jointly identify at least 30 semester credit hours of comparable general education (GE) courses fulfilling graduation requirements at each institution. Ten, 3-hour GE courses were identified and found to transfer among all of the state's institutions except the Indiana…

This guidebook for curriculum planners reports on two specific aspects of the current wave of general education reform: the creation or revival of common or "core" courses within general-education curricula and the emergence of cultural complexity and multiplicity as organizing themes in these new, or newly revised, core programs. The book…

Perspectives on characteristics of college curricula, their influence, and assessment are analyzed, based on a 1982 panel held for the National Commission on Excellence in Education. Discussion topics pertaining to programs and degrees included the proliferation of programs, the college credit hour, changing student constituencies, vocationalism…

National attention is currently focusing on the issue of general education in American colleges and universities, bringing to light the need for a unifying purpose and idea. Evidence such as declining test scores, grade inflation, and employer criticisms of college graduates have prompted public laments by academics themselves about the erosion of…

A study was conducted to review the major functions of a two-year college curriculum as identified in the literature; to relate these functions to specific academic areas within the sciences, social sciences, and science-related technologies; and to relate curriculum functions to specific courses within these academic areas. The literature on the…

Drawing from tapes of meetings and documents produced during a month-long curriculum development institute, this paper describes the conflicts attending an effort to design a structured general studies program at the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP). The paper presents and analyzes two fundamentally different ways of conceiving of problems,…

In light of the pressures of historical circumstances and with a commitment to educational integrity, this work seeks to reconceive the mission of the liberal arts and sciences. Chapter I defines the key criteria of humanism and holism and offers a critique of current liberal education in terms of curriculum coherency and intellectual and personal…

This report describes the 1981-82 activities of the Los Medanos College (LMC) general education project, which focused on the development of guidelines for the revision, review, and evaluation of the general education program's basic tier of courses (Tier One) in the subject disciplines. First, 1981-82 project goals are specified: (1) the…

This report provides information regarding the "course taking" patterns of students in the Hawaii Community College system. The data sheds light on student sampling of other areas outside of their major field, clientele served by academic departments, and course numbering patterns. Included are the student credit hours (SCH) generated by…

Describes "Language and Literature," a rigorous general education course offered at Saint Mary College (Kansas) for all nontraditional students entering a degree curriculum. Explains how the course matches the college's goals. Examines writing assignments and teaching methods. Reports on students' evaluations of the course. (DMM)

Considers a professional program at a university appropriate if it bridges the gap between professional practice and relevant theoretical knowledge, and includes a general education component. Sees Colleges of Education as failing to achieve this balance. Suggests ways of promoting and developing research at Schools of Education. (DMM)

When the introductory philosophy course evokes cognitive dissonance over philsophical problems in which students are already interested, it can help develop students' skills in reasoning and assessing arguments. This kind of course should play a key role in the undergraduate curriculum. (MSE)

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools reports on the Task Force on Baccalaureate Education in the Community College Setting. This particular report is in response to a 1998 request from a community college to have its accreditation extended to a few competency-based programs leading to a Bachelor…

This document provides a complete, if complex, picture of the state of general education in Virginia. A total of 66 institutions, including 24 public two-year, 15 public four-year, 20 private not-for-profit, and 9 private for-profit institutions, participated in one or more parts of this study. The study is divided into five parts. Part One…