Living and learning in another country, primary conditions of the study abroad experience, are commonly associated with two fundamental outcomes. The first outcome is an increase in "external" connections, manifested through an increased ability to converse in another language and an increased understanding and sensitivity to another…

Based on existing data about colleges and universities and their students, a study examined the factors in the college environment that contribute to or inhibit students' character development. Results indicate that colleges that take character-building seriously invest significant human and financial resources. A six-step agenda outlines what…

Student development philosophy, based solely on the behavioral sciences and a romantic humanistic philosophy, is not adequate for meeting human needs in contemporary society. The concepts of holism, humanism, pragmatism, and individualism are all part of this student development philosophy but have been distorted. The literature on student…

Aspects of the small liberal arts college's environment that contribute to the intellectual and personal development of faculty as well as students include accessibility, visibility, flexibility, the institution's desire for interdisciplinary inquiry, and a reward system for scholarship. (MSE)

If higher education is to contribute to society's betterment, it must aim to produce people of character. This requires basic principles of liberal arts education including time, an appropriate setting, opportunity for observation, and conversation. Religious faith also makes a contribution. Although many colleges and universities attempt to…

Examines the effects of the post-Sputnik knowledge explosion. Critizes universities for teaching facts and information without values and applications and faults apathetic students who narrowly focus on job openings, pay scales, and retirement plans. Urges colleges to develop intellectual autonomy and the powers of imagination, sensitivity, and…

Our higher education system does not nurture the inner lives of students or help them acquire the self-understanding that is the basis for a satisfying life, nor does it provide the safe and nurturing environment people need in order to grow. What is needed is a more holistic way of conceiving education, one that accepts the importance of…

Though student-designed programs have been justified by references to humanism, systems theory, and romantic idealism, a more secure foundation lies in developmental theory. When properly advised, it is suggested, student-designed programs resemble the most desirable processes of liberal education. (Author/MLW)

The portfolio used in liberal arts teacher education encourages student reflection in three important ways symbolized by the sonnet form, by mirror, and by map. A sonnet must conform to a set of rules but the discipline of these rules offers a measure of freedom. In the same way, the work of portfolio development within established constraints…

Student perspectives on learning was investigated at Alverno College. Attention was directed to how students understand and justify learning outcomes, and how they understand liberal learning as relevant to performance in personal and professional roles. The competency-based curriculum at Alverno College defines competencies as developmental,…

Results of a longitudinal study of student experience at over 200 4-year colleges are summarized. The study focused on student outcomes and how they are affected by college environments. Key findings are discussed for three areas: academic development, personal development, and satisfaction. (MSE)

Spelman College's Living Learning Program is described. The program was developed to integrate classroom cognitive development with affective development acquired through formal and informal learning experiences offered by the student life division. Program activities are designed to expose students to a broad range of ideas through interaction…

The role of values clarification and self-concept development, which are important issues in liberal and humane education, are identified, and it is suggested that the use of film in a class can emphasize values processing and clarification. Film is a medium that can clearly illustrate conflicts and problems in human relationships and the complex…

Reported are the results of a study to determine the reasons as many as 40 percent of the admitted students at some liberal arts colleges leave the campus for a semester or longer before graduation. Information was gathered through responses and records of several thousand persons in the three-year study conducted by five New England colleges and…

Reed College uses a junior qualifying examination, which can take a number of forms, a senior thesis based on the subject chosen for the junior exam, and an oral exam based on the senior thesis to monitor student preparation and measure the strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum and instruction. (MSE)