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
The above quotes are from:
Stivers, R. (1999). __Technology as magic: The triumph of the
irrational.__ New York: Continuum Publishing.
>We have just negotiated a deal with a new faculty member who will be
>arriving on our campus in the fall. I am planning on putting
>together a set of books and readings that will help this person think
>about:
>
>1) What a "liberal arts college" education is about and how it might
>differ from the universities where most of us were trained.
>
>2) What a liberal arts psychology major and teaching might be.
>
>3) How to manage the transition from graduate student to faculty member.
>
>and other topics you might think important. I would appreciate
>nominations of books and articles you think we should send include.
>
>I am already planning on including:
>
>Gibson, G. W. (1992). Good start : a guidebook for new faculty in
>liberal arts colleges. Bolton, MA : Anker.
>
>McGovern, T. V. (ed.) (1993). Handbook for enhancing undergraduate
>education in psychology. Washington, DC: APA.
>
>Schwandt, P, De Krey, G, & Lagerquist, L. D. (eds.) (1999). Called to
>serve : St. Olaf and the vocation of a church college. Northfield, MN
>: St. Olaf College.
>
>McKeachie, W. J. (1999). Teaching tips: strategies, research, and
>theory for college and university teachers (10th ed.). New York:
>Houghton Mifflin.
>
>and selections from the special issue:
>Graubard, S. R. (ed.) (1999). Special Issue on Distinctively
>American: The residential liberal arts colleges. Daedalus 128(1).
>
>Many thanks,
>-Chuck
>
>
>- Chuck Huff Psychology Department
>- Associate Professor St.Olaf College
>- Tutor in the Paracollege 1520 St. Olaf Avenue
>- 507.646.3169 Fax: 646.3774 Northfield, MN 55057-1098
>- [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.stolaf.edu/people/huff/
