Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
“And now, for something completely different…” Or, why is general education important? Or is it? Apart from parking, what are our major concerns? A frequent faculty complaint is, “Why can’t my students think?” This comes from faculty members in many subjects; it is not confined to any discipline. “Once upon a time… most students learned the ‘old logic’, and they could think, read, write, organize, and argue much better, at a younger age, and more naturally, than they can today. If you believe these two things are not connected, you probably believe storks bring babies.” - Peter Kreeft, Socratic Logic The goal of general education: To provide our students the intellectual wherewithal to succeed in the modern world. Certain intellectual tools form the basis for this success: they include, An ability to read critically and with understanding An ability to recognize and dissect logically flawed arguments An ability to formulate a solution to a problem An understanding of our place in the larger world What’s the problem? Too often, students can’t offer a coherent explanation of the difference between a fact and an opinion they often are indifferent to evidence and have no appreciation of its importance they are completely unable to recognize a fallacious argument, much less construct a sound one A well educated person is NOT one who … knows how to solve a quadratic equation can name all 50 state capitals can name the bones of the inner ear can recite the birth and death dates of all the pre-nineteenth century English monarchs An educated person… Can construct a logically sound argument Can communicate that argument effectively in writing or orally Understands their place in the larger world around them Can analyze a problem and propose a rational approach to solution What can we do? We do our students a disservice unless we teach them to be better readers, writers, and thinkers The skills of reading with understanding, logical analytical thinking, clear writing and speaking, and understanding other perspectives are essential elements of an effective general education. HOW? So we should focus on strengthening these skills. How and where? An Obvious Answer: Begin with the Cornerstone Courses Cornerstone Courses In Fall 2005: there were 1509 new HCC students Of those, 862 were “full time”: that is, they enrolled in nine or more credits in Fall 2005. And 1382 of the new students enrolled in three or more credits that semester. What was their course taking pattern? Was there a pattern at all? Results for 2005-2006 Nine or more Fall Credits 862 students Cornerstone Courses 450 400 Completions 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 ENGL 101 PSY 101 SOC 101 MATH 087 ENGL 102 MATH COMM HUMA 096 101 101 Results: Part II Three or more Fall Credits 1382 students Cornerstone Courses II 500 450 400 Completions 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 ENGL 101 PSY 101 SOC 101 MATH 087 ENGL 102 COMM 101 MATH 096 HUMA 101 An Action Plan Provide stronger emphasis on logical thinking in all courses Let us make principles of logical thinking an integral part of every course, but especially the cornerstone courses. In brief, let us be explicit and direct: LET US JOIN TOGETHER TO TEACH OUR STUDENTS TO BE BETTER THINKERS. First steps… Develop a program of course modification or redesign that embraces these principles. Its goal: to instill a better appreciation for and understanding of clear thinking and logical principles in our students from the first moment they enter the College. This is not an unfunded mandate: resources will be made available to restructure curricula. Let’s begin. Why is this important? “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” --Thomas Jefferson Carpe Diem “There comes a time in the affairs of men when one must take the bull by the tail and face the situation.” --W. C. Fields