Issues in defining and conceptualizing general education in the two-year college are examined in this collection of essays. After introductory remarks, B. Lamar Johnson reviews the findings of the 1952 California Study of General Education and discusses their current applicability. Next, K. Patricia Cross reviews trends in general education from the 1950s to the 1980s. After Melvin Barlow explores the connections between general and vocational education, Suanne D. Roueche and John E. Roueche discuss the place of literacy development in general education and offer recommendations for the systematic development of community college curricula. Next, the characteristics and genesis of community general education are described by Ervin L. Harlacher, Maxwell C. King and Seymour C. Fersh describe Brevard Community College's (Florida) international/intercultural education programs. After obstacles to general education in society and in the institution are identified by Terry O'Banion and Ruth G. Shaw, Judith S. Eaton identifies challenges and options facing community colleges wishing to promote general education. Advice on revising the general education program, based on experiences at Miami-Dade Community College (Florida), is offered by Jeffrey D. Lukenbill and Robert H. McCabe. Then, Leslie Koltai considers the decline of transfer education and recommends strategies for its revitalization. Finally, James C. Palmer cites ERIC documents and journal articles dealing with general education. (KL)