Traces the current status of the community college academic curriculum through data from several national studies conducted by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges over the past 10 years. Sees the Humanities, Sciences, Fine Arts, Mathematics, and English Composition as the academic disciplinary core of the collegiate curriculum. (CBC)

Considers the implications of "Academic Preparation for College" and "Teaching for Transition from High School to College" for community colleges. Suggests that four-year colleges will respond by reevaluating the transferability of community college courses and that a liberal arts curriculum is the best approach to basic skills instruction. (CBC)

Reports on interviews conducted to assess the status of humanities instruction in North Carolina's community colleges. Includes Dallas Herring's reflections on the establishment and growth of the state's community college system. Summarizes interviews with central office representatives and two-year college managers concerning the mission and…

Describes study that sought to find the ratio of liberal arts to nonliberal arts courses taught in the nation's community colleges; the extent to which the curriculum is devoted to nonliberal arts; the number of transferable nonliberal arts courses; and the variability of transfer of these courses. Considers the transferability of nonliberal arts…

Reports on a 1989 study which investigated course offerings (n=22,931) at 29 Michigan community colleges to determine the condition of general education. Reports low availability and breadth of general education courses, contrary to the perceptions of campus administrators surveyed. Suggests steps to evaluate and enhance general education…

Describes a study conducted by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges to investigate the liberal arts credit offerings of 164 community colleges nationwide. Considers the make-up of the college curriculum, trends in course level (remedial, standard, or advanced), average class size, and total enrollments. (DMM)

Argues that general education differs from liberal education in its underlying assumptions, ideological orientations, pedagogical methods, curricular structures, and ultimate aims. Contends that understanding these differences is important to curricular reform. (DMM)