As higher education seeks to define and justify itself in a "post-pandemic" world, it is important to understand the role of centripetal and centrifugal forces. The centrifugal approach suggests engagement facing outward and away from the classroom, from curricula, and from campus in favor of service learning, internships, political…

This chapter describes how faculty at the University of Vermont are trained to teach their university-wide sustainability general education requirement and how they execute teaching in the classroom.

At Indiana State University, students confront civic realities through experiences provided within the Liberal Learning in Action classes. This program empowers students to make connections between community issues and the tools of "liberal learning," including critical analysis, appreciation of diversity and a strengthened ability to…

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

Describes two courses, "Introduction to Music Literature" and "Spectrum of Music," within the context of the newly revised general education program at Willamette University. Describes the general education program, the value of the music classes for a broad range of students, and the content and instructional methods of the…

Argues that general education differs from liberal education in its underlying assumptions, ideological orientations, pedagogical methods, curricular structures, and ultimate aims. Contends that understanding these differences is important to curricular reform. (DMM)

Recommends pluralistic general education programming to accommodate diversity in faculty orientations, values, and perceptions of knowledge; and disparity in students' academic ability, values, and preferred learning styles. Suggests a multi-track general education model emphasizing different, but equally demanding, educational experiences for…

Between October 1982 and May 1983, a survey was conducted to study educational practices across Canada with regard to the general education component of community college programs and to ascertain the opinions of faculty and administrators about what these practices should be. By means of a questionnaire mailed to a stratified cluster sample of…

The learning community movement is a response to several widespread educational problems, including the mismatched expectations of career-oriented students and research- and discipline-oriented faculty; the inadequate amount of intellectual interaction between students and between faculty and students; the lack of coherence among most of the…

Describes "Language and Literature," a rigorous general education course offered at Saint Mary College (Kansas) for all nontraditional students entering a degree curriculum. Explains how the course matches the college's goals. Examines writing assignments and teaching methods. Reports on students' evaluations of the course. (DMM)

Argues that a true general education should encourage the exploration of religious questions. Describes the author's use of works showing dystopian societies based on existing values, such as Huxley's "Brave New World," to encourage students to rethink their assumptions and develop openness toward the questions that religions address. (22…

Review of research indicates that, when asked about their perceptions of general education, college students show lack of understanding, clarity, and purpose relative to their general education courses. These findings, and an exploratory study of faculty enactment of educational goals in the classroom, suggest some considerations for college…

Five articles by faculty members from the Community College of Philadelphia are presented in this journal issue. "Reconstructing the Academic Environment: A Proposal for the Revision of the General Studies Curriculum," by Martin B. Spear and Dennis McGrath, offers a conceptual foundation for decision making in curriculum development for general…

STANDPOINTS, a model for general education which focuses on the common learning experiences crucial to the quality of personal and corporate life, was developed at Central YMCA Community College. When developing the model, time, faculty development, student involvement, and leadership constraints were recognized, and a three-phase process was…

Inquiry education cuts across conventional distinctions between liberal arts and professional programs and is supported by specially designed curricula and pedagogies. The establishment of Hampshire College is described. The idea that undergraduate education should promote students' intellectual independence was a strong thread through the…