Creating a Comprehensive General Education Program: Implementing a Sustainable Process Fred Beuttler and Susan Lewis Carroll University, 100 North East Avenue, Waukesha, WI In 2007, Carroll University initiated the process of reforming our general education curriculum. Our process was inclusive, cost effective, and successful. The new curriculum was approved following a three year design process. In these two posters, we articulate the key steps in both the design and implementation of the curriculum SummerAcademic YearSummerAcademic YearSummerAcademic YearSummerAcademic Year Cultural Seminar Design Retreat CCS 100 Retreat First Director of General Education Faculty Learning Community: Cross-cultural Experience CCS 100 Retreat Cross-Cultural Experiences Retreat CCS 100 Retreat Faculty Learning Community: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning CCS 100 Retreat Roundtable –Liberal Education Course Redesign Retreat CCS 100 Retreat Faculty Learning Community: Global Perspectives Colloquium CCS 100 Retreat Global Perspectives Colloquium Retreat CCS 100 Retreat Faculty Learning Community CCS 100 Retreat Courses Implemented:CCS 100, ENG 170, GE 1sGE1, GE 2, CCD, CCEGE 1, GE 2, CCD, CCE, GPCFully Implemented GPC Global Perspectives Colloquium 2 credits CCD Cross-Cultural Development Have at least ONE GE 1 or GE 2 course be designated: "Cross-Cultural" Cultural Seminar CCS credits Writing Seminar ENG credits Distribution Courses Our Signature Program A Five-course sequence that focuses explicitly on CULTURE spanning the four years of the undergraduate experience Progress through General Education In the First Year... First through Third Years.... Preparing for Graduation CCE Cross-Cultural Experience Study Away 2 credits G.E. 1 Courses Take course in each of four distribution areas outside your major. 16 credits Fine arts Humanities Philosophy/ ethics/ religion Social sciences Natural sciences (w/Lab) G.E. 2 Course Take additional upper level course in one area. 4 credits. _____________ Senior Integration PLUS Graduation Requirements: Math 106 or 112 or 140 Attend 8 Convocations Freshman Experience Cross-Cultural Component (12 credits) = CCS + WS + CCD + CCE + GPC Gen Ed Requirements Cultural Seminar 4 credits English 1704 credits G.E. 1 Courses16 credits G.E. 2 Course 4 credits CCD Course (4 credits) CC Experience 2 credits GPC 2 credits 32 credits Distribution Component (20 credits) = 4 G.E. 1 courses + 1 G.E. 2 Faculty Development Summer Retreats Each summer, we host a 2 day faculty retreat at our Center for Graduate Studies. Faculty receive a $1000 stipend for participating (Funded by Title III). Topics have included: Engaging the Campus in General Education (facilitated by Dr. Ken ODonnell) Designing Cultural Seminar Courses (facilitated by Dr. Christine Krueger) Developing Intercultural Awareness in CCE courses (facilitated by Dr. Mick VandeBerg) Course Redesign (Facilitated by Dr. Terri Johnson, Dr. Susan Lewis, and Dr. Pam Pinahs-Schultz) Faculty Learning Communities Faculty Learning Communities agree to meet 1-2 times per month throughout the academic year to collaborate on the focal topic. Each participate receives a $500 stipend (Funded by Title III). Topics have included: Piloting Cultural Seminar Courses Piloting Cross-cultural Experience Courses Developing Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Projects Piloting the Global Perspectives Colloquium Additional Programming CCE Development Grants (Domestic and International) Book Discussions: Student Learning Abroad (VandeBerg, Paige & Low) Diversity Matters (Allen) Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction (Monaghan & Just) Faculty Discussion Series: Teaching about culture and encouraging academic risk- taking The goal of Carrolls General Education Program is to prepare students to achieve the four pillars of its liberal arts education: Integrate knowledge through understanding the interrelationship among ideas. Develop lifelong skills in critical and creative thinking, collaboration, and communication. Apply enduring values through opportunities for service and reflection. Prepare for successful transitions through cross-cultural and gateway experiences. Key Elements of Program Implementation Strengthen the Administrative Support for General Education Hire a Director of General Education Strengthen staff support for cross-cultural experiences and general education Merge two standing committees: International and Multicultural Committee and General Education Committee Leverage Resources of Title III Grant for Faculty Development See outline of faculty development programming, at right Structure Course Improvement and Course Continuity Course and program review by Program, Curriculum, and Assessment Committee Cross-cultural Seminar faculty retreats (summer, pre-semester, post-semester) – model will be adopted for Global Perspectives Colloquium, too Strengthened support for Cross-Cultural Experiences by streamlining and clarifying business office and risk management processes; enhanced development and advertising of available opportunities (e.g., CCE Fair) Strengthen Campus-wide Integration of General Education Involve representatives from Advising, International/Off Campus Programs, Student Affairs, Library on standing committee and subcommittees Strengthen affiliations with Admissions Department Develop and Implement Course and Program Assessment Global Perspectives Inventory (pre-CCS, post-CCS, post-GPC) Signature Assignments CCS 100: Final writing assignment on culture CCE: Reflective journal GPC: Professional presence portfolio Priorities for Continued Program Implementation Continue to develop faculty-led domestic and international Cross-Cultural Experience Courses Mechanisms to ensure the continuity of student learning in courses in the five distribution areas Mechanisms to ensure the continuity of student learning in the Cross-cultural Development courses Processes for strengthening program assessment for continuous improvement Our Working Definition of Culture: the fluid set of traditions, customs, beliefs, values, and practices developed over time by a specific group or community.