Date: Wed, 02 Apr 1997 13:30:09 -0500
From: coursonf@cofc.edu (Frances Courson)
Subject: Group 6 reports
X-Sender: coursonf@ashley.cofc.edu
To: donatoh@cofc.edu
Below are the reports of the second and third Group 6 meetings. Please
place them on the GenEd web page. Thanks! Fran
Meeting 2
Three members of Group 6 met on February 13th to discuss Item 2a -- What
are the specific experiences in or outside the classroom that support the
new goals? We also looked at Item 2b -- Which goals, if any, lack
sufficient supporting experience? During the hour, we were able to address
only the first four goals. The summary of the discussion was presented at
the third meeting on March 27th so that we could have comments from more
group members.
Goal 1: ...acquire basic knowledge of the arts, humanities, mathematics,
and the natural and social sciences, the languages which define and convey
this knowledge, and the relationship among the branches of knowledge.
The group felt that the College of Charleston meets this goal fairly well.
The goal is met primarily in classes that are content oriented (e.g., arts
courses which satisfy the humanities requirements, and some courses in
history, science, and social science), through professional organizations,
and through lectures and programs sponsored by the various departments.
Goal 2: ...acquire an interdisciplinary understanding of major contemporary
ethical, political, economic, social and scientific issues and movements
including their origins, implications and interrelationships.
This goal is supported primarily in classes such as History 101 and 102.
Many of the courses which fulfill the humanities requirements, some social
science and science courses also support this goal. The group questioned
how much interdisciplinary connection is made to other disciplines.
Professors should be encouraged to make interdisciplinary connections.
Departments sponsor lectures on campus but it is questionable how many
students outside a particular discipline attend that discipline's lectures.
Interdisciplinary "days" (e.g., Machiavelli Day, Frankenstein Day) have a
unifying theme to which many students on campus are exposed.
Goal 3: ...develop a knowledge of diverse cultures, natural and human-made
environments, and their global interrelationships.
This goal is supported in class through courses such as Biology,
Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, History 101 and 102, arts
courses, humanities courses, Environmental Studies, and the foreign
language requirement. Guest speakers, seminars, theme "days", exchange
courses abroad, and International students on campus provide additional
support. The group felt that because of financial constraints, we are not
doing enough in this area. For example, "Theme Days" need more
administrative support from Academic Affairs. Faculty working on "Theme
Days" need release time. We need to find ways to make better use of our
diverse community.
Goal 4: ...develop effective reading, writing, and oral communication
skills in English, and basic communication skills in a language other than
English.
Effective reading skills, writing, and oral communication skills need more
emphasis. This goal cannot be met in ENGL 101 and 102 alone. These skills
need to be emphasized in all classes. There was the suggestion that the
College may need to reconsider its admission standards and not admit
students needing remedial coursework. Writing across the Curriculum is one
way of meeting goal 4. Faculty Development on topics such as "Ways to
Encourage Writing" is a suggestion. Oral communication is encouraged in
class presentations and in Student Government speeches. To encourage basic
communication in a language other than English, having a residence hall
where only a particular language (e.g., French) can be spoken within the
building is a suggestion. Another suggestion was an International Dorm
with students from the United States applying to live with students from
other cultures.
Goals 5-9 will be discussed in the next group meeting.
Meeting 3
The third meeting of Group 6 was held on March 27th. At this time the
group looked back at goals 1-4 and added additional comments which now
appear in Group 6's second report. Highlights of the discussion of goals
5-9 are listed below.
Goal 5: ... develop skills in the methods and technologies of inquiry,
critical thinking, problem solving, scientific research, quantitative and
historical analysis.
The group feels that most departments attempt to meet this goal. The
Electronic Resources course was mentioned as a particular course that
addresses goal 5. The group suggests that the College look at establishing
a more rational and efficient plan for replacing out-dated technology to
enhance student learning.
Goal 6: ... employ the available resources to retrieve, use and evaluate
information from a variety of sources.
We felt that the comments we made about goal 5 also apply to goal 6.
Goal 7: ... develop the ability to set and achieve personal goals.
While not a GenEd course, setting personal goals could possibly be
addressed in Freshman Orientation and Transfer Orientation. If this is not
feasible, then perhaps Goal Setting could be a part of the first Advising
Session. The Advising Center could publicize the Goal Setting Session.
Activities such as "Major of the Month" address this goal.
Goal 8: ... work and interact effectively with others.
This goal is being met through group projects and group presentations in
classes and through choir, theater, etc. Students work with others in
student organizations. More should be done to make this goal easier for
commuter students.
Goal 9: ... foster intellectual honesty and curiosity, a commitment to
lifelong learning, a sense of personal responsibility, and informed,
active, responsible citizenship in a climate of civility where dialogue
about intellectual debates and controversies can occur.
Some individual professors and students are meeting this goal; but all too
often, the College may not be doing a good job in this area. The Women's
Studies Discussions on the Cistern address this goal.
Because of lack of time, we prioritized the goals that we felt lacked
sufficient support. We feel that the goals needing the most attention are
Goals 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9.
Frances H. Courson, Ph.D. Work Phone: (803) 953-8048
School of Education Home Phone: (803) 881-4682
College of Charleston School of Education Fax: (803) 953-5407
Charleston, SC 29424 E-Mail: coursonf@ashley.cofc.edu