Issues pertaining to a liberal education are examined, and information is included on 14 programs in liberal education that were were part of the U.S. Department of Education's National Project IV. The goals of liberal education and ways of achieving goals covered. A transcript of a discussion on liberal education in the 1980s is provided. Zelda F. Gamson's chapter "Educating Students for Critical Awareness" includes information on Saint Joseph's general education curricula and the external degree program at Johnson State College. Programs at Hampshire College and Radcliffe College are described in two chapters written jointly by Jamie Beth Catlin and Z. Gamson--"Preparing Students to Use What They Learn" and "Helping Students Make Choices in Their Lives." Approaches to constructing a liberating education are addressed by the following chapters and authors: "Creating a Lively Academic Community" (Z. Gamson, Patrick J. Hill); "Inspiring Teachers to Revitalize Teaching" (Nancy B. Black, Michael R. Mills); and "Modifying Course Content to Encourage Critical Awareness" (John Nichols, Z. Gamson). Three articles on promoting change include "Evaluation to Sustain Change" (Terry Heitz Rogers). Information on approaches to self-assessment used by National Project IV participants and a site visit protocol are appended. (SW)