Existing and preferred general education requirements in eight representative degree programs at two Florida universities: A multiple case study.

摘要

The purpose of the study was to describe the existing and preferred content and structure of the general education curriculum. The study also sought to determine if some agreement existed in the perceptions of faculty from varied disciplines as to the importance of a set of liberal/professional education outcomes and the role of general education coursework as a part of the total undergraduate experience.; In order to provide for a representative sample of degree programs, a representative degree program from each of the eight areas identified by Biglan (physics, biology, English, psychology, mechanical engineering, nursing, accounting and special education) was selected for inclusion in the study. Basic information on the content and structure of the general education curriculum was collected from the institution catalog and other documents where available in preparation for the site visit. The majority of the data collection was obtained from interviews done during the site visit.; The findings of the study suggest that faculty members across the representative degree programs expressed a positive view of general education coursework. Overall, faculty members expressed dissatisfaction with student writing and critical thinking abilities. Little curricular change in the general education component of the undergraduate degree program was expected with the exception of the addition of a multicultural requirement. Further, faculty members in the various degree programs indicated general agreement with the the outcomes developed by the Professional Preparation Network for students in their respective degree programs.