This book examines, through analysis of three liberal arts colleges (Antioch, Reed, Swarthmore), the factors contributing to the greatness of a first-rank liberal arts college. The writer begins with a presentation of the historical development of the three schools, followed by a detailed description of how broad institutional innovations were…

This report describes significant phases in the development of Southeast Missouri State University's "University Studies" program instituted in 1988 as part of a general movement among American institutions of higher education to review and redesign their general education curricula. The report highlights unique program characteristics,…

This study examined connections between the educational process and attitudes toward organizational change among business students. A total of 758 undergraduate and graduate students from both the arts and sciences and business were surveyed with a measure of attitude toward change. The study employed a three-way analysis of variance using the…

Trends in the workplace and legislative mandates have forced community colleges to consider how to integrate general education with vocational training successfully. The technological base of American industry has changed dramatically in the direction of greater complexity and interdependence, requiring workers to possess not only higher levels of…

This document contains issues 83-93 of the curriculum newsletter of Lehigh University's Science, Technology, and Society (STS) program. Each issue contains articles addressing issues relative to STS, course syllabi, reader responses, and announcements. Issue No. 83 discusses establishing an interdisciplinary minor in technology studies at…

In 1979 the College of Business at the University of Montevallo (Alabama), a small undergraduate institution emphasizing liberal studies and professional programs supported by a broad base of arts and sciences, decided to work toward achieving accreditation by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. Curriculum review indicated…

The suggestions of business executives concerning the content of a general education program that would assist students in achieving success in business were obtained through a 1982 survey. Questionnaire responses were obtained from 113 respondents in companies ranging in size from 1,000 or more employees to those with 50,000-plus employees. Five…

The methodology for validating assessment techniques in a performance-based liberal arts curriculum was studied at Alverno College. Two generic instruments for assessing the competencies of "communications" and "valuing" were employed. A generic instrument is defined as one that assesses a competence level across content areas…

The third document in a series of special papers released by the Project on the Global Economy and Higher Education in New England is presented. The paper examines the causes and manifestations of change toward internationalization at New England colleges and universities and the extent to which change is linked to the coming of the global…

The debate about the core content of liberal arts education may have become irrelevant, as interrelated factors could turn the future increasingly toward career education: (1) demographics force colleges to continue their search for older and nontraditional students, who enroll in college largely for career education; (2) college finances will…

A variety of general education programs and evaluation approaches are described, with a focus on assessments of student attitudes and achievement. The introductory essay by Jerry G. Gaff, "A Practical Approach to Evaluation," presents a three-step evaluation approach, as well as suggestions for general education program directors, deans,…

Data on Ph.D. productivity during 1951-1980 for all accredited institutions are presented, along with a narrative summary. Productivity ratios were computed by dividing the average number of Ph.D.s conferred per year (1951-1980) by the average number of bachelor's degrees conferred per year (1946-1976) for each institution. Liberal arts colleges…

Developments on college campuses, and specifically at the University of South Carolina (USC), are presented in 15 articles and 3 book reviews. Titles and authors are as follows: "Assessing the Papal Visit" (Jerome N. Vereb); "How Long Does It Take to Graduate from Carolina" (Michael F. Welsh, Mark G. Shanley, Charles H.…

The integration of undergraduate liberal and professional education is discussed in the following chapters: (1) "A Call to Action"; (2) "Binding Values, Changing Times and Curricular Balance"; (3) "Seizing Opportunities for Excellence"; (4) "Defining the Educated Professional"; (5) "Extending a Constructive Debate"; and (6) "A New Spirit of…

The Jackson State University Critical Thinking and Outcome Measures Program, whose academic focus is curriculum reform, is described in this report. The program guides students in developing the skills to think critically, to reason clearly, to express their thoughts cogently, to value open and thoughtful dialogue, and to be receptive to the free…