This critical reflection briefly chronicles the transition of a general education program from a distributive model to an integrative model and the resulting Capital Capstone Course (CCC) at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). The article describes a year long, team-based, experiential course that "caps" off our…

This chapter describes a collective faculty effort to administer, proctor, score, and interpret student work that created an unexpected opportunity for deep discussions of teaching, learning, and assessment.

The University of California-Merced's Core 1 has potential to foster genuine interdisciplinary thinking by asking students to conceptualize knowledge across fields of inquiry. Core 1 introduces students to the range of scholarly inquiry at the university all in the span of one semester-long, writing-intensive, integrated curriculum that encourages…

For many years, the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) has been working with other institutions in the University of Wisconsin System to change the conversation about higher education in the state. In the spring of 2006, these partners participated in a systemwide advisory group convened to promote better understanding of liberal…

This paper describes our efforts to integrate liberal learning principles in a capstone course within the overwhelmingly career-focused discipline of accountancy. Our approach was based on the belief that business and liberal learning courses are complementary, rather than competitive, elements of a well-rounded education. The ability to deal with…

This article analyzes the findings of a pilot project conducted in 2008-2009 as a partnership between University Studies, Portland State University's interdisciplinary general education program, and the University's Russian Flagship Language Partner Program. The project proposes a new approach of integrating non-English speakers' language skills,…

The University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) General Education "Clusters" are innovations in student-centered undergraduate education focused on complex phenomena that require an interdisciplinary perspective. UCLA gerontology and geriatric faculty recognized the opportunity to introduce freshmen to the field of aging through this new…

Offers a survey of experiments in "learning communities," each of which involves an effort to connect knowledge across disciplines and, through collaboration, to draw students and teachers into communities that simulate the liberal ideal of dynamic, fulfilling civic life. (EV)

Describes computer oriented programs at Grinnell College (Iowa), focusing on the kinds of equipment and their uses. Indicates that the classical liberal arts emphasis will be retrained while provisions are made for encouraging the growth of computer and quantitative literacy. (JN)

Offers advice on revising the general education curriculum based on Miami-Dade Community College's (MDCC) experiences. Proposes a rationale, goals, courses and objectives for goal attainment and evaluation as essential components of general education. Describes MDCC's comprehensive program, which includes developmental education, a student flow…

Founded on the premise of a connection between the neglect of the core purposes of undergraduate liberal education, on the one hand, and certain patterns of disengagement exhibited by students, on the other, the Bringing Theory to Practice project provides support for campus programs as well as for research on the connection of certain forms of…

Interdisciplinary Studies in General Education (IDS) is Valencia Community College's alternative to the fragmented approach to general education reflected in many schools' unrelated requirements of survey courses and laboratories. A two-year course of study, IDS brings together literature, mathematics, social science, natural science, philosophy,…

Underscores community colleges' responsibility for international/general education. Assesses the impact of foreign student enrollments, foreign tourists, and global society. Reviews Brevard Community College's international/intercultural education programs. Stresses the relationships of transcultural education with general education and of faculty…

As early as 1993 James Madison University realized that a significant revision was necessary in its undergraduate core curriculum. A General Education Committee was formed which undertook a review and evaluation of 1352 objectives; the Committee produced and published a list of approximately 100 specific learning objectives. These learning…

Argues that community general education provides a unique opportunity for community colleges to enhance the overall quality of community life and prepare citizens for their responsibilities in a democracy and to participate creatively in life activities. Cites examples of innovative and effective community general education programs. (DMM)