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Date: Fri, 01 Nov 1996 13:12:49 -0400 (EDT)
From: MCDILLL@cofc.edu
Subject: Minutes from Group 15
To: gened@cofc.edu
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Organization: College of Charleston

[**** Insert text here ****]

Minutes from October 25, 1996 Meeting
Group 15

Present: Mapes, Condon, Martinez, Danaher, Gibson

The meeting commenced with a brief review of the minutes of the previous gathering and then moved on to a discussion of questions 1b. and 2a.

The group identified the following primary skills/abilities which College of Charleston graduates should possess; research, analytical, quantitative, decision making, problem solving and communication skills. All agreed that students should possess a common core body of knowledge in order to engage in critical evaluation using these skills. The goal of the liberal arts experience at the College should be to prepare students to engage in socially active behavior as citizens of the world.

Agreement was reached that the foremost value that College graduates should possess is the appreciation of diversity. The College should facilitate the development of an understanding of factors contributing to the diversity of beliefs and behaviors of populations and individuals, as well as a tolerance of the same. It was suggested that one role of the faculty is to serve as models for the development of this value.

It was agreed that the College should facilitate the development of the liberally educated person by holding students accountable for a core body of knowledge as well as a specific body of knowledge in at least one particular discipline. Successful performance on exit exams and/or in capstone courses could confirm that such knowledge is established. Writing competency exams could serve as a quality control mechanism prior to the student's entering a major discipline of study.

The group agreed to meet again on 15 November and to address the final question for discussion, 2b. "What specific general education goals and objectives should the College of Charleston adopt to facilitate liberally educated students?"

T. Steve Gibson
gibsons@cofc.edu
Lynn McDill