What is perceived as poor fit between liberal arts and the individual disciplines results not from narrow subject matter or analytical focus but from the disciplines keeping too many of the interesting questions to themselves. College students are not exposed enough to the reasons their teachers find their fields compelling. (MSE)

The past is the substance from which the present is formed, but college curricula based on this cultural heritage need not exclude the present. Major classical writers and social thinkers must be central to it but should be accompanied by critical engagement with living texts from powerful and active minds. (MSE)

The future of pluralistic democracies depends not only on laws but on individuals within the societies. Different cultures bring different strengths and conceptions of self and community. By studying different cultures and discovering shared virtues, students can identify those contributing to high quality of life for human society. (MSE)

If higher education is to have a coherent curriculum and a coherent way of thinking about the world, it may need to study premodern ways of thinking for both insights and the courage to think in new ways. The tradition of the humanities, which originated in fifteenth-century Italy, can help. (MSE)

Describes the development of LAND, an organization of liberal arts faculty and administrators at Michigan's community colleges, formed to engender closer interinstitutional ties. Highlights LAND's major conferences and other activities since its formation in 1985. (DMM)

Although liberal arts colleges are reputed not to offer business education, a study of 182 nationally known colleges found that most offer business majors. Apart from economics, these programs predominantly operate outside disciplinary mainstreams. Although business education is associated with lower performance and reputation rankings, it is a…

Cognitive science has recently emerged as a new interdisciplinary field incorporating parts of psychology, computer science, philosophy, neuroscience, and linguistics. Its goal is to bring the theoretical and methodological resources of the contributing disciplines to bear on an integrated investigation of thought, meaning, language, perception,…

THE RANGE OF OFFERINGS IN INDEPENDENT LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES WAS SURVEYED TO DETERMINE TO WHAT EXTENT PRESENT COURSE OFFERINGS BY DEPARTMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO SERVE THE PURPOSES OF THE INSTITUTION. THE INVESTIGATION EMPLOYED IN THIS STUDY INCLUDED SURVEYING CATALOGS AND OTHER PUBLISHED MATERIAL, COMPILING STATISTICS, GATHERING DATA FROM OFFICIAL…

Where does course content fit into the context of modern theories and practices of a liberal arts education? Two camps within the academic community are described: those who feel responsible for the personal growth of their students and those who see themselves as dispensers of information. (LBH)

While there is good reason to stress critical thinking skills in the liberal arts curriculum, these skills should be complemented by training in alternative methodologies that focus on synthetic, dialectic, and creative modes of awareness and expression. (MSE)

The author defends and clarifies a previous assertion that college faculty may need to be taught to take advantage of classroom opportunities to make insights and awareness clear to their students. (MSE)

Education in democratic leadership requires teaching and encouraging students to improve their capacities for observation, reflection, imagination, invention, and judgment. The liberal arts college has a role in educating a nation of citizen-leaders who will treat civic and societal leadership as an individual obligation. (MSE)

The American undergraduate curriculum has historically been designed to meet the twin goals of intellectual advancement and utility, constantly replacing outdated curricula with new ones. The current challenge is to stretch the traditions of inquiry and scholarship to meet new marketplace demands. (MSE)

Excerpts from "Five Reports on Undergraduate Education" are presented. Advice on what college teaching should be is the focus. 70 references. (MLW)

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)