Here is a summary of primary GE activities during 2015-16: Curriculum Committee implements assessment of Creative Arts GE requirement; prepares Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning assessment for spring. Curriculum Committee increasingly recognizes new GE possibilities exist; considers how to restart GE discussion. Curriculum Committee organizes, with CAS Dean support, “purge and possibilities” event for Feb CAS […]
Lewis & Clark GE Timeline Posts
The posts below begin to summarize major recent moments in general education at Lewis & Clark College, in reverse chronological order, from 1985 to the present, with particular emphasis on our last eight years of formal GE conversations. This content should be viewed as in progress—if you are a member of the LC community and would like to add information and perspectives please comment on any page, or contact a SoGE member.
2014–15: Pause Button
Here is a summary of primary GE activities during 2014-15: Curriculum Committee recognizes accreditation-related need for assessment of current GE curriculum, which may also inform future GE reform discussions. Curriculum Committee implements GE assessment protocol on incremental basis by distribution area, starting with International Studies. Curriculum Committee members participate in variety of GE-related conferences, bringing […]
2013–14: GE Plan Voided
Here is a summary of primary GE activities during 2013-14: Faculty retreat at start of school year largely endorses bringing GE distribution and core (E&D) together for implementation, though disagreement over implementation timetable. Curriculum Committee motion to delay 2014-15 GE/E&D implementation approved. Extended faculty discussion on core (E&D), ultimately involving seven models. Resource implications for […]
2012–13: Orion Prime II
Here is a summary of primary GE activities during 2012-13: Curriculum Committee and departments continue working on GE distribution course lists. Curriculum Committee presents draft divisional descriptions to lend coherence to lists, and guiding philosophy for selecting applicable courses. Curriculum Committee separately considers E&D review and one- vs. two-semester options, and starts to reintegrate E&D […]
2011–12: Orion Prime I
Here is a summary of primary GE activities during 2011-12: Curriculum Committee initiates solicitation for departments to construct lists of GE courses to fit Orion Prime divisional distribution model. Given challenges in constructing these lists, Curriculum Committee ultimately recommends delay of Orion Prime implementation until 2014-15.
2010–11: GE Constellations
Here is a summary of primary GE activities during 2010-11: Curriculum Committee releases 2009-10 GE Task Force report to Faculty, consisting of three proposed GE distribution models named Orion, Pegasus and Andromeda, with current GE distribution requirements as another option. Separate proposal to revise Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning requirements discussed. Based on feedback, a new […]
2009–10: GE Task Force II
Here is a summary of primary GE activities during 2009-10: New GE Task Force convened. GE ideas solicited of all departments by Curriculum Committee. Task Force notes “lack of consensus” among department proposals, and recommends a “descriptive approach” in contrast to the competency-based prescriptive approach of 2008-09. New Task Force discusses proposed model with CAS […]
2008–09: GE Task Force I
Here is a summary of primary GE activities during 2008-09: GE Task Force convened; develops report released May 2009, focusing on competencies, defined as “the ability to meaningfully engage in an activity or area of inquiry,” and including both knowledge and skills. Two-phased proposal offered for implementation fall 2010 and fall 2012; latter phase would […]
2004: GE Task Force Report
The 2004 GE Task Force report encapsulates a time of change and disagreement among CAS faculty, and upon hindsight reflects the transition from Inventing America to Exploration & Discovery as our core curriculum. The report also includes recommendations for the GE distribution requirement, though no distribution changes were made at this time. The report notes […]
2001: Writing & Speaking Task Force Report
From January 2000 to April 2001, a Writing and Speaking Task Force convened to consider ways to ensure student development of sound written and oral communication skills; additionally, a related survey was distributed at the fall 2001 faculty retreat. The subsequent report recounts the Task Force’s deliberations and recommendations, presents a synopsis of survey results, and offers “A […]
1994–2005: Inventing America
The below summary of our GE curriculum from 1985 to 1993 was developed by Prof. Karen Gross with archival support by Zachariah Selley. Inventing America Two course sequence required in the first year Fall syllabus set by committee & the same across all sections. Some variation on topics and themes per section in the spring. Distribution requirements: Same as […]
1985–1993: Core Inquiry
The below summary of our GE curriculum from 1985 to 1993 was developed by Prof. Karen Gross with archival support by Zachariah Selley. Inquiry sequence: Three courses spread through the student’s time at LC Basic Inquiry – taken fall in the first-year. Syllabus determined by committee. Readings drawn from humanities, social sciences, sciences, and fine arts. Emphasis […]