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Liberal education on the ropes

Jake Gibbons. Liberal education on the ropes. Themes. Liberal education = democracy, specialization = elitism Liberal Arts College versus Research University Differences between Sciences and Humanities. What should core curriculum offer?. “common knowledge”? “a way of learning”?

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Liberal education on the ropes

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  1. Jake Gibbons Liberal education on the ropes

  2. Themes • Liberal education = democracy, specialization = elitism • Liberal Arts College versus Research University • Differences between Sciences and Humanities

  3. What should core curriculum offer? • “common knowledge”? • “a way of learning”? • set courses, or student choice? • What do you think? http://www.luc.edu/core/images/overview5.jpg

  4. Liberal Education • AAC&U Definition • "a philosophy of education that empowers individuals, liberates the mind from ignorance, and cultivates social responsibility. Characterized by challenging encounters with important issues, and more a way of studying than specific content, liberal education can occur at all types of colleges and universities."

  5. Three Ideas of “General Education” • Princeton Example: enforces diversity of disciplines • Columbia (WWI Era) Example: synthetic courses in history and Western civilization • Columbia and Johns Hopkins Example: cognitive development & reflective thinking; process-oriented, not content-oriented

  6. Harvard in the 1970s • Revolutionized the idea of liberal education with abstract concepts like “moral reasoning” and “social analysis” • Limited requirements of major • Undergraduate research opportunities

  7. Discussion • How does FSU’s Undergraduate Liberal Studies program align with this model, and how effective is it? http://our.fsu.edu/img/banner_OUR.jpg

  8. Problems • The agenda of the Research University is at odds with that of the Liberal Arts College. • Divide between sciences and humanities • Financial stresses on administrators • Values vs. expertise http://blog.art21.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/artvsscience.jpg

  9. Research University vs. Liberal Arts College • What defines them? • Where does FSU fall? http://www.theadmissioncentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/lacvsuni.jpg

  10. Solutions • Refocusing on values and general education • “Rehistoricize and rehumanize” • Restructure the Research University • Suggestions? • How can we help our FIG students get a good liberal education?

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