Learning through Instruction A Committee of the Commission on the Liberal Arts

Maeve Howett, Associate Clinical Professor, School of NursingKim Loudermilk, Senior Lecturer, ILA, CollegeCo-Chairs

Committee ParticipantsBoyles, John – Graduate student, GDR

Cadray, Lynell – Associate Dean/Chief Diversity Officer, School of Nursing

Crowley, Cheryl – Associate Professor, REALC, Emory College

Ehteshami, Sheba - Alumna

Gouzoules, Sarah – Associate Dean for International and Summer Programs, Emory College

Klehr, Harvey – Professor, Political Science, Emory College (resigned due to department demands)

Kohlhorst, Drew – Asst. Director, Center for Science Eduation, College

Layne, Jonathan – Board of Trustees

Levy, Steven - Professor, Psychiatry, School of Medicine

Lim, Daniel – Undergraduate Student, College

MacBeth, Cora – Assistant Dean, Student Affairs, Laney Graduate School

Newsom, Carol - CH Candler Professor, Old Testament, Theology

Sales, Jessica – Assistant Research Professor, School of Public Health

Stutz, Aaron - Associate Professor, Oxford College

Sweatman, Maureen - Director of Operations, Center for Community Partnerships

Mandate to the Committee: Focus on Pedagogy

• Curricular structures and processeso Courses and credits

• New technologies• Mentoring

 

Early Request to Move Structural Concerns to Provost’s Office•Allow faculty to teach across units

•Allow students to enroll in courses across units

•Coordinate academic calendars

•Offer flexible types of courseso Variable creditso Variable time: semesters, mini-semesters, workshops, etc.

•Create system for allocating teaching credits across units based on contact hours, student enrollment, etc.

•Establish faculty evaluation/reward structure for teaching and mentoring

The Process

Life of the mind

Life of the mindGreat books program

Cross unit teaching and learning

Capstone experienceCapstone experience

Four themes became two subcommittees:

Inventory of capstone experiences by student researchers on COLA website

Intellectual tailgating

Synthesis seminar

Most Important Things We Learned1. A liberal arts education experience can seem disconnected and

fragmented, so integrating that experience is crucial.

2. The richness of the liberal arts requires learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

3. People across the university are passionate about creating a vibrant liberal arts community, but feel structural and financial resources are not available.

Specific, short-term goals – 1-2 years•Intellectual tailgating event during a visit by a high-profile Emory-affiliated figure

Pre-event Post-event

•Implementation of a Common Book or Performance

•Virtual connected space on Instagram or Twitter

Pilot Project•Pilot at least two synthesis seminars, working in concert with an established organization, such as the CFDE.

•Spend next academic year planning.

•Offer the pilot courses during the 2015-16 academic year.

•Assessment/evaluation will be a crucial component.

Needed for implementation and success

•Creation of a central office with a budget and staff to facilitate

•Creation of “CoLA” timeIs this a

fundraising opportunity?

Long-term goals

•Create an Emory liberal arts experience that is shared across units

•Tell our story in such a way that we become known as a liberal arts research university

•Provide opportunities for cross-school teaching and learning

Thanks so much.

Questions?