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Reality Check: Moving Integrative Curricula from Theory to Practice

The History of Integrative Studies at Otterbein. Program founded in 1969.Shared thematic: an investigation of human nature and the terms of personhood.Ten course curriculum: contributions from core liberal arts disciplines. Over time . . .. We stopped asking about intentionality and integration.

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Reality Check: Moving Integrative Curricula from Theory to Practice

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    1. Reality Check: Moving Integrative Curricula from Theory to Practice Tammy Birk Assistant Prof. of English & Chair of Women’s Studies Amy Jessen-Marshall Dean of College Programs & Associate V.P.A.A. October 23, 2009

    2. The History of Integrative Studies at Otterbein Program founded in 1969. Shared thematic: an investigation of human nature and the terms of personhood. Ten course curriculum: contributions from core liberal arts disciplines

    3. Over time . . . We stopped asking about intentionality and integration. There was an inattentiveness to faculty development. There was no leadership on assessment. We experienced mission drift.

    4. The resurgence of disciplinarity In the past decade, there has been significant hiring of junior faculty. End effect of this: renewed focus on scholarship, reinvigoration of majors, restoration of disciplinarity. Integrative Studies? Don’t ask, don’t tell.

    5. Otterbein and the AAC&U 2004: Otterbein joins AAC&U Shared Futures project. This project authorizes us to rethink the Integrative Studies curriculum for a global 21st century.

    6. The introduction of new leadership 2006: new VPAA 2007: comprehensive Strategic Plan 2009: new President

    7. Top Ten Challenges

    8. Challenge One The disconnect between rhetoric and reality

    9. Challenge Two Resistance to accountability and oversight generally

    10. Challenge Three Founder’s syndrome

    11. Challenge Four Junior faculty desire to focus on disciplinarity

    12. Challenge Five The perception that integration belong differently to different disciplines. Some disciplines are believed to be more predisposed to integrative work than others.

    13. Challenge Six The struggle over language, naming rights, what we call what we do.

    14. Challenge Seven Institutional fantasies about the need for unanimity.

    15. Challenge Eight Contending with large majors with even larger accreditation demands.

    16. Challenge Nine Faculty protection of individual courses that suit the goals of our current Integrative Studies curriculum--but not the goals of the revised one.

    17. Challenge Ten Fear of shared conversation. And then anxiety about shared sacrifice and responsibility.

    18. Our Tactical Choices The launch of a “shadow curriculum” The pursuit of a McGregor Fund Grant The decision to leverage semester conversion

    19. The Process:Multi-tiered approach

    20. The Process:Multi-tiered approach

    21. The Process:Multi-tiered approach

    22. The Process yields . . .

    23. Transition: revised curriculum New Mission: The Integrative Studies program aims to prepare Otterbein undergraduates for the challenges and complexity of a 21st century world. It foregrounds interdisciplinary and integrative skills, competencies, and ways of knowing and is committed to the premise that one’s learning should serve and shape one’s chosen responsibilities in the world.

    24. New Goals for Integrative Studies Goal One: To inspire intellectual curiosity about the world as it is and a deeper understanding of the global condition. Goal Two: To assist students in cultivating intercultural knowledge and competencies. Goal Three:To promote active and critical reflection on the human self and its place in the world. Goal Four: To challenge students to critically examine their ethical responsibilities and choices in both local and global contexts. Goal Five: To encourage purposeful public engagement and social responsibility.

    25. Thinking about the model Rule: Whatever curricular model is adopted, it should be flexible and STUDENT FOCUSED!

    26. Possible Models for revised curriculum Stick with current I.S. curriculum. 2. Core curriculum with a trunk of core courses.

    27. Models:

    28. New Curricular Scaffolding Mapped Goals and Outcomes into conceptual threads FYE (First Year Experience) Threads 1. Interconnections 2. Identity Projects 3. Reflection & Responsibility 4. Natural Foundations 5. Creativity & Culture Special topic and interdisciplinary Dyads focused on Integration Eight courses in total.

    29. Success? It’s been a messy process. We’ve had quite a lot of late-to-the-table/last minute/clinging/vocal protests.

    30. Success? Process for approval Integrative Studies Advisory Vote School of Professional Studies Review vote School of Arts and Sciences- Review vote Curriculum committee Full Senate (Faculty, Administrators, Students)

    31. Success? Process for approval Integrative Studies Advisory 10-1 Wednesday October 14th School of Professional Studies 28-9-7 Thursday October 15th School of Arts and Sciences 61-19-9 Last Tues October 20th Curriculum committee This coming Monday October 26th Full Senate (Faculty, Administrators, Students) Upcoming November 4th

    32. Next steps Implementation Curriculum development Faculty workshops Launch Fall 2011

    33. Acknowledgements: McGregor Core Team of Otterbein Faculty: I.S. Advisory and I.S. Faculty Kevin Hovland and Caleb Ward- Shared Futures: AAC&U Otterbein Center for Teaching and Learning The McGregor Fund AACU Shared Futures FIPSE Grant

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