November 18, 2005

Dear Department Chair,

The General Education Task Force has been collecting information regarding the core curriculum, the co-curriculum outside the classroom, and ways in which to improve the delivery of general education on our campus. Inquiry is being extended to the departments and disciplines who wish to be considered in the delivery of core curriculum courses.

The Task Force invites you to submit a brief statement explaining the relationship between your department/discipline and the goals of general education/liberal education. This is an opportunity to initiate a conversation about the goals and objectives of general education in your department and to provide disciplinary expertise to the Task Force. In your statements, we encourage you to consider the general goal of educating well-rounded and informed citizens for the twenty-first century, rather than to focus merely on specific courses.

The Task Force suggests the following questions as a guide for your departmental/disciplinary statement:

• What specific knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes does your department/discipline contribute to general education?

• What do you consider to be the best practices in your discipline for contributing to general education?

• How satisfied are you with your department’s current role in the general education curriculum?

• In what ways could your department contribute more effectively to general education?

• In what ways could your faculty/department collaborate with others in contributing to general education?

• What resource issues affect your current or potential contribution to general education?

What other recommendations regarding general education does your department have for the Task Force?

The Task Force would like to receive your statement by March 10. If your department covers more than one discipline, you may address them separately. In the case of a departmental statement, we hope this will have been approved by a majority of the faculty. Please limit your statement to five pages or less.

The Task Force appreciates your interest and looks forward to receiving your statement.

Sincerely,

Stanley R. Aeschleman
Provost

Susan E. Keefe
Chair, General Education Task Force