A report by the Project on Redefining the Meaning and Purpose of Baccalaureate Degrees of the Association of American Colleges is described. The decline and devaluation of the undergraduate degree, a battered curriculum, faculty responsibility, accountability, and the profession of college teaching are discussed. (MLW)

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of a two-year project at Lynchburg College (Virginia) to develop an interdisciplinary program of classical readings in six required courses. Although originating in the college's senior symposium, the current program's emphasis is on remedying the dichotomy between basic skills and…

This report presents the comprehensive academic plan for undergraduate students to be phased in at Wake Forest University (North Carolina) beginning with the class entering in 1996. Four concepts are emphasized in the plan: (1) continued personalization and individualization of the professor-student relationship; (2) establishment of a first-year…

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…

An internship program in nontechnical roles in health services for 198 self-selected undergraduates proved helpful for students and host institutions. Benefits included help in career decisions, exercise in self-directed learning, and demonstration of noncognitive qualities (social and ethical) desirable for professional work in patient care and…

An undergraduate curriculum in public affairs is proposed that is multidisciplinary, rooted in the liberal arts, and that emphasizes development of conceptual, analytical, and interpersonal skills required for public policymaking and implementation. Questions addressed would include such issues as the definitions of public and national interests.…

Eight social work schools gave the Virginia State Merit System test for social workers to majors and nonmajors. Significant differences were found in the results among schools but little difference between majors and nonmajors. Questions are raised about the test's validity and schools are urged to review the results. (MSE)

A study of 14 students in a business administration course shows that peer teaching and peer evaluation may enhance student motivation, satisfaction, and achievement. Learning about oneself is found to be a valuable outcome of peer teaching. Student involvement in determining evaluation criteria is encouraged. (MSE)

Presents a bibliographical review of research on undergraduate science education that involves a broad evaluation of the literature that defines the field. Discusses definitions of science education. Contains 306 references. (DDR)

Addresses higher education, specifically universities, and their role in moving toward a sustainable, ecologically-sound, and vibrant society. Suggests that universities are caught between two competing visions. (Contains 24 references.) (DDR)

Universities that devise models to involve faculty in curricular change, building on commonalities among academic fields, can progress toward curricular coherence. The story of an imaginary committee developing a core course for lower-division students, based on information drawn from research, illustrates this planning process. (Author/MSE)

Four goals for a Second Wave of general education reform should be: broaden existing reforms and embed them more firmly in the life of the college; engage a larger number of colleges; attract new individuals to the movement; and confront more candidly the barriers to devising, approving, and implementing reforms. (MLW)

An examination of trends in undergraduate liberal arts degrees and curricula reports two findings: (1) renewed interest in the liberal arts degree has occurred primarily outside liberal arts colleges, within universities; and (2) the struggle for institutional survival has caused some colleges to scale back or abandon their original missions. (MSE)

The ways in which Miami University (Ohio) has addressed some issues of interdisciplinary study are reported. Issues include disciplinary background needed by students before interdisciplinary study and by teachers before interdisciplinary teaching; the roles of the individual disciplines; intellectual skill development; and interdisciplinary study…

A survey of 54 teachers of undergraduate and graduate psychological testing courses illustrates the teaching of testing in Australia. Tests covered in a course vary extensively. Intelligence testing is the most commonly taught (covered in 89 percent of the courses); most time on testing is spent in first-year postgraduate courses. (SLD)