The benefits of undergraduate research experiences are well documented, yet few studies focus on programs designed to support students conducting research in the fields of humanities, arts, and social sciences. In this study, the authors examine learning experiences of students participating in the undergraduate research programs (URP) at UCLA,…

This article is delivered to the reader in 13 stanzas, and is a modest takeoff of Wallace Stevens' poem, "Thirteen Ways of Looking at A Blackbird." The poem may be better known for the art and arguments created in its wake than for the original. In "Blackbird," Stevens displays a blackbird in a tree, then cuts language to its…

This article provides a student's viewpoint in response to Larry Andrews' article, "The Humanities Are Dead! Long Live the Humanities!," which addresses and solidifies the notion that, at least from the standpoint of academicians, the humanities are alive and well. The author believes that a broader base of learning, an increased…

Not every student has done honors work in the humanities, but all students experience research at a human level that necessarily recalls the work of the humanities. This article describes how Joe Kraus, a professor of literature at the University of Scranton, was inspired to see applied humanities in stories of human experiences, which helped him…

This study highlights the efforts of Indiana University East to make substantive changes to its general education program, resulting primarily from state mandates and legislation, on an extremely aggressive timeline. While fraught with challenges, these legislative mandates also presented opportunities for the institution to make necessary and…

Given that few studies have formally examined pedagogical design considerations of Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs), this study explored variations in the pedagogical design of six MOOCs offered at the University of Toronto, while considering disciplinary characteristics and expectations of each MOOC. Using a framework (Neumann et al., 2002)…

The literature on private higher education has identified striking differences between the public and private sectors in terms of fields of study. For example, unlike their public counterparts, private universities have traditionally specialised in the social sciences and humanities. This paper explores the university market in Argentina to see if…

This study evaluated the overall reading achievement of African American (n = 42) and White (n = 21) sixth grade students in an urban Midwestern school, after their teachers' engaged in culturally proficiency training provided by The Minnesota Humanities Center. Data for students in the study was collected for comprehension levels or acuity…

General education requirements have long been a component of college and university baccalaureate programs. The courses have traditionally focused on the disciplines in the arts and sciences including mathematics, sciences, humanities, social sciences, and the arts. Family and consumer sciences (FCS) programs also offer courses in areas such as…

Reexamines the role of the humanities in higher education. Specifically focuses on Kirkwood Community College (Iowa), Richland College (Texas), and the Community College of Philadelphia. Explains that the goals of these three institutions are to (1) tighten requirements; (2)strengthen existing courses; and (3) create opportunities for faculty…

As a teacher of English, comparative literature, and foreign languages, the author views the state of the art of foreign language instruction and suggests reforms. Discussion focuses on foreign language requirements, premises on which language study is based, tests and literature, misplaced priorities of college language departments, relevance of…

Reviews proposed changes in the humanities curriculum and requirements for engineering and science students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Discusses revisions in terms of preparing students to take decision-making roles in society. Traces previous offerings and states future plans in humanities requirements. (ML)

Describes methods of organizing an interdisciplinary program designed to study the techniques of finding out" used in science, literature, language, humanities and the arts. Suggests possible topics that might serve as subjects for seminars and provides references that could support such studies. (AL)

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…

Describes the present state of classical studies in the two-year colleges and suggests ways in which such studies can be integrated more fully into the college curriculum. (PM)