General Education Essentials

Reviews / Votes

"There are so many things I could say about this book: * It is THE ONE BOOK for academics to get up to speed aboutreforming general education. * It is written by a faculty member for faculty members whoaspire to educational leadership. * It is written in the language, and with the perspectives, offaculty. * It is an excellent primer--short, easy to read, andeminently useful. * Faculty leaders should be required to read this book beforespeaking publicly about curriculum change. * Academic administrators ought to buy a copy for every facultymember serving on a general education review or revisioncommittee." --Jerry Gaff, senior scholar at Association of AmericanColleges and Universities "In this thoughtful and useful overview of generaleducation, its premises, values, and practices, Paul Hanstedtoffers a guide to framing programs that are engaging and effectivefor both students and faculty members. Thinking about generaleducation and its role in liberal learning has come a long waywithin the past two decades, and Hanstedt enables us to follow andappreciate what has emerged as an increasingly broadconsensus." --Paul Gaston, Trustees Professor, Kent State University, andauthor of The Challenge of Bologna "Finally, a thoughtful book, designed specifically forfaculty, on General Education curricula and programs. Whilemuch has been written about general education over the past severaldecades, Hanstedt cuts to the chase and speaks directly to facultyabout the theoretical underpinnings and conceptualization of GE andthe powerful opportunities for learning that it presents toundergraduate students." --Susan Gano-Phillips, professor and chair, Department ofPsychology, University of Michigan - Flint, and author of AProcess Approach to General Education Reform: TransformingInstitutional Culture "At last! For those of us in higher education who havestruggled through attempted revisions of core curriculum withlittle or no success, Paul Hanstedt's General EducationEssentials provides a framework that blends theory andpractice, helping us rethink the purpose and meaning of liberaleducation. Through curriculum that facilitates connectionsamong the disciplines rather than the acquisition of knowledgeisolated in proverbial 'silos,' Dr. Hanstedt describes ways toconstruct general education models as well as individual coursesthat hone the critical and creative thinking competencies needed todevelop global citizens for the 21st century. Dr.Hanstedt's intelligent approach is grounded in experience,and he speaks in an authentic voice that faculty will recognize ofthe opportunities inherent in a revitalized liberal educationprogram. In outlining concrete models of integrated learning andmeaningful assignments and assessments, Dr. Hanstedt'sresearch and practice can assist any campus in taking that firststep into what can become a transformative experience for facultyand students alike." --Patricia Dwyer, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, WesleyCollege