The Liberal Arts Program described in this report is the largest and most stable of the projects of the Institute of Study for Older Adults (ISOA) at New York City Technical College. The report deals with the program's activities and emphases during 1979-80. After introductory material on the ISOA's growth, activities, funding, and outreach model,…

Eight programs are described that are representative of the variety of approaches to the problem of integrating the sciences and humanities. The reason why integration of science, humanities, and the social sciences is important in the undergraduate learning experience is addressed in an essay by George W. Hazzard entitled, "Knowledge…

The origins of general education are traced to the seven liberal arts in ancient Greece, showing the influence of Socrates, Plato, the Sophists, and others. Examined are the early conflict over the sources of knowledge and the uses to which it should be put. Relevance to the college curriculum is shown, and it is told how this was broadened to…

The contemporary literature on general education, most of which is aimed at college and university reform, is evaluated. The underlying assumptions of some of the representive works on this topic are examined, and persistent issues in the field are identified and alternatives proposed. Although the emphasis of the analysis is directed to "Missions…

This set of five essays explores the pros and cons of undergraduate core curricula in colleges and universities. Core curricula are seen as either providing the ideal educational base and a shared background, or as a loss of diversity and a protective shell that faculties can use to avoid considering the relevance of a liberal arts education. (JMD)

Traces the current status of the community college academic curriculum through data from several national studies conducted by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges over the past 10 years. Sees the Humanities, Sciences, Fine Arts, Mathematics, and English Composition as the academic disciplinary core of the collegiate curriculum. (CBC)

Quantification has traditionally been considered inconsistent with humanism, and humanists suffer from largely unarticulated fears about computer use in their discipines that prevent them from gaining the advantages of computers in humanities instruction. (MSE)

The faculty's primary function in the private, liberal arts college is to foster its own and the students' independent judgment, not to provide an educational smorgasbord. It should focus on the original subject matter of the liberal arts (reading, writing, speaking, listening, and reasoning about truth, goodness, and beauty) and promote dialog.…

This field report from a Catholic liberal arts college for women suggests that, in any environment, a holistic approach to moral development is possible by challenging students to integrate their knowledge with their actions and to deal with inherent values issues both in and out of the curriculum. (Author)

Fairleigh Dickinson University (New Jersey) students take four core general education courses from the second half of the freshman year through the first half of the junior year. All sections have the same syllabus, and faculty teaching them on separate campuses review and refine the courses together. Core course faculty participated actively in a…

The liberal arts program at Claremont McKenna College (California) departs from the traditional design by involving students and faculty in real-world projects, with outside clients, as class activities. Student teams complete projects in a context more like graduate education. Major successes and difficulties in integrating this approach into a…

The underlying goal of the scientific literacy movement, to provide science education so all US citizens can reach independent judgments on science-based societal issues, is an unrealistic social goal. A better approach is to develop awareness and appreciation of the scientific enterprise, focus on technology as a practical imperative, and develop…

The evolving mission and curriculum of Black colleges are discussed. Topics include the ideological conflict between accommodationism and liberal arts education as the focus for Black college education and the contributions of various Black colleges and educators. The evolution of teacher education at Black colleges is also discussed. (IAH)

Liberal learning and professional training both can be enhanced if humanities and nursing faculties will join in creating a larger vision of education. (Author/MLW)

A faculty member's experiences with service learning programs at Rutgers University (New Jersey) and Providence College (Rhode Island) illustrate how college student involvement in community service causes them to consider their membership in diverse communities and develop critical thinking skills. Service learning is felt to connect issues of…