There must be a return to classic texts in humanities instruction, but the selection of those texts is no longer simple, because of questions about (1) identifying which are classics and (2) connections made between the classic texts studied and a student's personal life. (MSE)

It is necessary to find ways to make the university a learning community, not just a place for teaching and research to coexist, accompanied by extracurricular activities. (MSE)

In recent reports on improvement of the college curriculum, advocates of the liberal arts as the heart of a college education promise more than a liberal education can deliver, which is a solid foundation on which to build. (MSE)

One of the oldest problems of western education, the appropriateness of instruction in the ethics of knowledge, is related to the principle of social virtue. Liberal arts colleges are beginning to reaffirm strongly their commitment to social responsibility in both mission statements and curriculum revision. (MSE)

A discussion encouraging the development of a consistent and comprehensive theory of critical thinking for use in developing the liberal arts curriculum focuses on identifying teachable skills in the art of constructing and evaluating arguments. Further research in all disciplines is recommended. (MSE)

Strategies for integrating engineering courses for nonmajors into the liberal arts curriculum are examined, and the potential problems are discussed. (MSE)

Surveys the history and curricular changes of Amherst College from its founding in 1821 through the administration of Alexander Meiklejohn in 1912. Assesses Meiklejohn's impact upon the development of Amherst as a liberal arts college, and analyses the events surrounding his dismissal. (SLM)

The process by which an interdisciplinary faculty team from California State University-Northridge developed an interdisciplinary program of upperdivision linked courses is described. Short- and long-term changes in the curriculum and practical considerations in making those changes are highlighted. (MSE)

Describes Utah Valley Community College's core course, "Ethics and Values," which approaches timely and interdisciplinary topics (e.g., abortion, and business ethics) and emphasizes writing, self-confrontation, oral discussion, and critical thinking. Reviews problems in promoting active student learning. Describes course content and the…

In this article, the author describes a key challenge facing liberal arts presidents: to accommodate a reciprocal relationship between thinking and doing. Achieving a continuum between thought and action has never been easy--on the academic side is the fear of diluting intellectual rigor matched on the practical side by the fear of paralysis.…

In recent years, education has shifted its goals from acquiring a classical methodology to learning how to make a living. Students are taking fewer liberal arts courses; and at the same time, reading, thinking, and reasoning skills are declining. With the advent of Sputnik in 1957, the idea that hard science had the answers to the world's problems…

This chapter examines the need for and practice of instructional development within the liberal arts college. The context of the liberal arts college is described, the likely demand for liberal arts education by society is examined, and new evidence for the effect of a liberal arts education on the student is explored. The potential and actual…

There are several well-known arguments for including linguistics in a liberal arts education. Linguistic theory can be presented as an experimental science in which it is particularly easy to do experiments. In addition, it is a field so new that, in an introductory course, areas about which little is known can be reached in some detail, with…

THE VISUAL ARTS DEPARTMENTS OF 53 SMALL, MIDWESTERN LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES WERE SURVEYED TO DETERMINE BASIC RESEARCH NEEDS FOR BETTER DEFINING THE DEVELOPMENTAL ROLE OF THE VISUAL ARTS IN THE SMALL COLLEGE CURRICULUM. OF THE TOTAL SAMPLE OF COLLEGES, 47 HAD 2 TO 4 FACULTY MEMBERS IN THE VISUAL ARTS, AND THE REMAINING 6 AVERAGED OVER 5 STAFF…

An explanation is offered of the liberal arts college as the conceptual and functional center of the comprehensive university. Drake University is used as an example of the comprehensive university since its curricula combine liberal and professional education. Faculty roles are addressed. (LBH)