I am a PhD product of a research university and my work here at St.
Olaf has been enlightened by my colleague's insistence on the liberal
arts. We have several mentoring programs for faculty to help them
think through what their role is here.
So, it _IS_ possible that folks socialized at Big U. can come to
really value the liberal arts. This is supported in part by
friendship networks (e.g. my friends here include a historian of
religion, a philosopher, a biophysicist, and a composer). One of
these has already offered to have lunch with the new faculty member.
It is certainly because of the influence of my liberal arts
colleagues that I am motivated to help a new faculty member learn
about the liberal arts.
So, can anyone suggest additional readings?
-Chuck
At 11:30 AM -0400 5/10/00, Gary Peterson wrote:
> What a refreshing request. Is a liberal arts education still possible?
>What do we mean by it these days? I have been reading:
> "Does anyone really believe anymore in the promise of the liberal
>arts, in the ideal of a well-rounded human being who pursues truth and
>wisdom as much as power and technological knowledge?"
> "The resurgence of interest in teaching in the university is not about
>the content of courses but about the style of the teacher. The search for
>the perfect technique that will both motivate students and make learning
>painless is as magical as the search for the Holy Grail. These teaching
>wizards advocate approaches like collaborative learning, smart classrooms,
>and long distance learning. Equally superstitious is the advocacy of
>critical-thinking courses, as if one could teach critical thinking as a
>technique."
>
> Could the new professor still share---indeed, have inculcated
>educational values that counter the above assessment? We may hope. Sorry
>my reading this week is less useful to the new faculty member, but I like
>the idea of such support for the new faculty and would also be interested in
>readings for them. Gary Peterson
