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Date: Wed, 23 Oct 1996 11:20:45 -0400 (EDT)
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From: heldrichr@cofc.edu (Rick Heldrich)
Subject: Group 17 Update
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Summary of Group 17 Activity from Wednesday, October 23rd meeting.

Members present: Tony Harold (Biology), Jeff Wragg (Physics), Roger Daniels (Business), Julia Eichelberger (English), Rick Heldrich (Chemistry).

We evaluated the list of objectives for a successful CofC experience that had been submitted by all members of our group. We then set out to identify the common themes presented in the suggestions and to group each suggestion under the appropriate thematic heading(s). At our next meeting, we will refine this list in the hopes of putting together a coherent list of objectives.

(I) Humanistic Diversity
Appreciate the concept of diversity and its importance, as it applies to many issues and disciplines.
Respect the opinions and work of others.
Respect other human beings.
View diversity as enriching.
Improved Understanding of the Contemporary World
Cultural Enrichment
Personal Development of Social/Moral Values
Personal Awareness of Other People's Social/Moral Values
Understanding of obstacles as well as alternate possibilities in their everyday lives and in the world. Awaken to the connections between their lives, their disciplines, their careers and the broader social, historical and political context(s).
Love something.
Understand that along with advanced education comes the responsibility to use the knowledge to perpetuate and/or foster a more "fully human" society.
Cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity.
World history (Anglo and non-Anglo).
History and plight of indigenous American peoples.

(II) Disciplinary Diversity
Understand philosophical issues, especially in major field.
Appreciate music, art, theater, and literature.
Appreciate art, music and literature.
Utilize lessons gleaned from history.
Ability to Learn Independently
Increased Ability to Solve Complex Problems
Expertise Developed Within Area of Academic Discipline(s)
Understanding of obstacles as well as alternate possibilities in their everyday lives and in the world.
Awaken to the connections between their lives, their disciplines, their careers and the broader social, historical and political context(s).
Understand methods of scientific inquiry.
Compute accurately.
Use technology as a beneficial tool.
Recognize the need to interrelate information from various disciplines.
Work and communicate with others, especially in other disciplines.
Work with colleagues towards syntheses.
Applying the tools of your trade.
"Specialization is for insects".
Embrace a little bit (at least) of everything that CofC exposes you to.
Appreciate different points of view.
Know some facts and distinguish fact from opinion.
Love something.
Comparative economic systems (eg, capitalism and Marxism).
Understanding of financial markets and their societal impact.
The American legal system, Constitution, and government.
World literature.
American literature.
World history (Anglo and non-Anglo)
History and plight of indigenous American peoples.
Basic life sciences.
Basic physical sciences.
Art.
Music.
Technology and its societal impact.
English composition.
Basic mathematics and geometry.
(III) Critical Thinking
Be able to address problems of various kinds rationally.
Increased Ability for Creative Thinking
New thinking, wide-awake minds.
Think both critically and creatively.
Recognize the need to interrelate information from various disciplines.
Develop the ability to criticize; acceptance of criticism.
Understand the creative process and teach you how to use the tools.
Know some facts and distinguish fact from opinion.
To teach students how to value our own intellectual heritage not by memorizing it or by agressively asserting its supremacy, but through comprehending it and examining it critically.
Determining information validity.
Critical thinking.

(IV) Communication
Educate others or share ideas, whether formally or informally.
Utilize electronic communications effectively.
Communicate effectively in written and verbal contexts.
Ability to Communicate Effectively in Technical Areas
Ability to Communicate Effectively in non-Technical Areas
Articulate those thoughts clearly and concisely in writing and speech.
Work and communicate with others, especially in other disciplines.
Gain a knowledge of the structure of words and, therefore, ability to interpret unfamiliar terminology.
Oral and written communication.
Communicate effectively with lay and expert audiences.

(V) Creativity
New thinking, wide-awake minds.
Think both critically and creatively.
Recognize the need to interrelate information from various disciplines.
Work with colleagues towards syntheses.
Understand creativity and mechanics.
Invoking creativity.
Understand the creative process and teach you how to use the tools.

(VI) Factual Knoweledge Base
Utilize electronic communications effectively.
Understand philosophical issues, especially in major field.
Appreciate art, music and literature.
Gain a broad base of knowledge.
Recognize the need to interrelate information from various disciplines.
Appreciate music, art, theater, and literature.
Utilize lessons gleaned from history. General Knowledge Learned In Many Academic Disciplines
Expertise Developed Within Area of Academic Discipline(s)
Understand methods of scientific inquiry.
Know some facts and distinguish fact from opinion.
Be good at something.
Comparative economic systems (eg, capitalism and Marxism).
Understanding of financial markets and their societal impact.
The American legal system, Constitution, and government.
World literature.
American literature.
World history (Anglo and non-Anglo)
History and plight of indigenous American peoples.
Basic life sciences.
Basic physical sciences
. Art.
Music.
Technology and its societal impact.
English composition.
Basic mathematics and geometry.

(VII) Civility & Personal development
Need to continue the learning process.
Respect the opinions and work of others.
Uphold work and social ethics of the highest standard.
Develop the ability to criticize; acceptance of criticism.
Work and communicate with others, especially in other disciplines.
Work with colleagues towards syntheses.
Respect other human beings.
Respond with flexibility to an ever-changing world.
Become a life-long learner.
Accept failure as possibility for growth.
Live richly in the present.
Reflect on value and meaning of life.
Identify priorities and establish goals.
Learn as much about self as possible.
Personal Contacts/Friendships Developed
Personal Ability to Improve Global or Local Environment
The willingness of individuals to act, individually or in community with others, in public spaces to create a better social order.
Recognize the role of perspective and vantage point.
Understanding that at no time is knowledge finished or complete.
New thinking, wide-awake minds.
Appreciate different points of view.
To teach students how to value our own intellectual heritage not by memorizing it or by agressively asserting its supremacy, but through comprehending it and examining it critically.
Experience more extensive choices in the personal and professional domain.
Develop an appreciation of the satisfaction resulting from hard work.
Realize intrinsic value in life long learning.
Understand that along with advanced education comes the responsibility to use the knowledge to perpetuate and/or foster a more "fully human" society.
Importance of life-long learning.
F. J. Heldrich, Ph.D.                                       phone:  (803) 953-5515
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry       fax:    (803) 953-1404
College of Charleston                                  heldrichr@cofc.edu
Charleston, SC  29424