Historical and societal conditions that have influenced the college curriculum are considered, along with issues of the 1980s. Up to the 19th century, the bachelor of arts degree was a preprofessional degree; the Ph.D. degree was introduced after the Civil War. Since the doctoral degree emphasized research skills, universities began to employ research-oriented faculty members, and departments gained control over the curriculum. With industrialization, there was increased demand for specialization, new scientific knowledge, and new occupations. Additional factors that influenced the curriculum included: the land grant college movement, the G.I. Bill, desegregation legislation, increased college enrollments during the 1960s, the civil rights movement, the Vietnam protest period, increased enrollment of nontraditional and foreign students, and legislation regarding the handicapped. Important issues in the 1980s include technological innovations, the growing trend to change careers, financial problems facing colleges, underprepared college students, and declining enrollments. Curriculum models that focus on the following are distinguished: subject matter, student experience, cultural heritage, objectives or outcomes, individualized study and student needs, and the future. (SW)