This essay examines not only the role the humanities play in the community college curriculum but also how our approach to and understanding of the humanities must change. The defense of a 21st-century humanities has to begin in the experience of our students and not in the traditional canons of our disciplines.

As community colleges increasingly embrace their vocational role at the expense of their general education mission, the author of this chapter argues that a curriculum centered on a "Great Books" canon as developed by Mortimer Adler in the 1920s would revitalize liberal education at community colleges and serve both the general education…

Community colleges in Canada began offering baccalaureate programs in the 1990s. Presently community colleges in four of the five largest provinces of Canada are eligible to submit applications to the relevant government ministry or agency for baccalaureate programs. The authors estimate that about 135 baccalaureate programs are now being offered…

Community colleges have long been recognized as enrolling a disproportionate share of first-generation college students, low-income students, women, and students of color. Additionally, community colleges have significant enrollments of students who identify as immigrants; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT); and disabled. Many of these…

The purpose of this chapter is to continue and potentially expand the conversation about how a diversity-affirming ethical orientation and an understanding of critical epistemology might guide institutional decision making in community colleges in the direction of social justice. The chapter begins with a conceptual overview of the terms…

In the year 2000, what started as an isolated pedagogical gambit at Glendale Community College (GCC) in Southern California has evolved into a program-wide initiative to revise the developmental composition curriculum and boost student learning outcomes. One instructor, frustrated with poor student motivation and success in his precollegiate…

This chapter describes rural community colleges, compares them to their urban and suburban counter-parts, and highlights the unique challenges they face in the twenty-first century. (Contains 4 tables.)

This chapter explores how community colleges internationalize curricula by examining both on- and off-campus strategies.

Educating for civic competence is an important societal mission of the community college. This chapter describes obstacles to and opportunities for the success of this mission.

Proposes and tests a community college classification system based on curricular characteristics and their association with institutional characteristics. Seeks readily available data correlates to represent percentage of a college's course offerings that are in the liberal arts. A simple two-category classification system using total enrollment…

This issue of "New Directions for Community Colleges" focuses on the community college curriculum. The articles are based on a study of the college catalogs and course schedules from 164 colleges. The featured articles are: (1) "A Historical and Contemporary View of the Community College Curriculum" (Gwyer Schuyler); (2) "The Liberal Arts"…

Focusing on the role of community colleges in implementing the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994, the 12 essays in this volume describe strategies and practices developed by colleges to address the provisions of the Act and help develop a global workforce. The following articles are provided: "Assessing the Community College Role in…

An analysis of the bases of curriculum development and instruction design as they relate to increasing state influences. (Editor)

Describes Emeritus College, a college within the College of Marin (California), designed to meet the continuing education needs of adults in or preparing for retirement. Discusses its development in terms of a preliminary needs assessment, obtaining funds, staffing, community involvement, curriculum planning, and improving program accessibility.…

Reviews community college international education programs supported by the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) Title VI grants, international theme conferences, foreign curriculum consultants on campus, and exchange and travel abroad programs. Presents recommendations for starting or promoting the internationalization of the college curriculum.…