A typology of the vocational intent of various college courses, or the stated objectives and curricula of courses as they relate to specific occupational fields is proposed that makes distinctions about vocational specificity, selection for employment, and training for employment. (MSE)

It is argued that the modern college curriculum should include both skills and liberal arts components, and a three-part curriculum model is presented that provides an arts and sciences base, adds a segment of theory in a given field, and builds a core of skills on the other two components. (MSE)

General education is the process of developing a framework on which to place knowledge stemming from a variety of sources. Its goals are to help students think critically, develop values, understand traditions, respect diverse cultures and opinions, and, most importantly, put that knowledge to use. Even though its goals parallel socially supported…

This anthology deals with the subject of community college curricula, suggesting what is and should be the direction of the community college curricula for the 1990's. Part 1 cites sources which attempt to provide a definition of the community college curriculum; looks at the functions, goals and missions of the community college, and the…

Cornell University (New York) was among the first to remove normative religious instruction and mandatory religious practice from their previous pervasiveness in higher education. This has removed from the university the responsibility for safeguarding the cultural authority of religion and allowed religion to enter the realm of ideas to be…

Theology deserves a place in the life of a university, as a subject of inquiry and as an area of scholarly interest in many disciplines, alongside more technical areas of study. Maintenance of democratic values requires the broad understanding that study of religion can help develop. (MSE)

Discusses Allan Bloom's "The Closing of the American Mind" and its implications for higher education. Examines Bloom's analysis of historical changes that involved universities in societal pressures, thereby weakening them. Supports Bloom's mandate that universities delineate their function and measure achievement against the fundamental…

Several different philosophical approaches to general educational development in higher education are discussed and compared, including (1) positivist epistemology, a pragmatic, empirical perspective; (2) development of curricula promoting interpretation based on understanding; and (3) critical theory, which espouses development of people in…

It is proposed that college faculty teaching courses on corrections institutions and administration look carefully at how their curricula address the needs and experiences of their students who are currently employed in correctional institutions. More interaction with these students, particularly by eliciting their ideas and feedback, is…

Student objectives do not always coincide with curricular labels that reflect statutory language or the public's agenda for community colleges. Studies show that nearly half of the students enrolled in so-called transfer curricula may have no intention of transferring, and that sizeable percentages of students enrolled in occupational courses go…

The American College Personnel Association's "Student Learning Imperative" is a statement of principles for college personnel working outside the classroom that is designed to focus on the core mission of undergraduate education student learning and personal development. Current use of this statement around the country is reviewed, and…

This examination of the associate degree and its role within community college education in the United States begins with a historical perspective on the evolution of the associate degree since the beginning of the 20th century. Chapter II reviews the literature concerning the diversity of the associate degree and the ways in which it is perceived…

Community colleges have always embraced general education in principle, but have largely failed to deliver a meaningful program of general studies. Definitions of general education stress the importance of teaching the common knowledge, cultural and environmental understanding, skills, values, and attitudes needed by each individual to be an…

Colleges must seek a curriculum that prepares a student for a career as well as citizenship. A trilinear curriculum is suggested that combines equal parts of general, integrative (theme-oriented, interdisciplinary, and elective), and vocational courses and that begins with precollegiate education. (Author/MSE)

Steps in making a higher education institution a multicultural place of learning include expressing mission in terms of human cultures, developing faculty for excellence in multiculturalism, evaluating curricula with regard to different ways human cultures have focused on issues, ensuring that perspectives offered are not monocultural, and…