Core Curriculum and Cultural Pluralism

Book excerpt: This guidebook for curriculum planners reports on two specific aspects of the current wave of general education reform: the creation or revival of common or "core" courses within general-education curricula and the emergence of cultural complexity and multiplicity as organizing themes in these new, or newly revised, core programs. The book analyzes the newly emerging curricular renaissance and demonstrates why colleges and universities view these new core courses on cultural legacies as important priorities. In addition, it outlines the kinds of questions faculties must address in framing and sustaining core programs. Chapters 1 and 2 treat national trends that are discernible in the development of core curricula that address cultural pluralism, as well as issues and choices facing the participating institutions as they implement their core programs. Examples are used from these institutions, with analytical commentary, to illustrate the practice. Chapters 3 and 4 focus on the processes of faculty development and core curriculum implementation, respectively. Each of these chapters ends with a series of recommendations for good practice. Chapter 5 summarizes the characteristics of strong core programs that engage cultural pluralism, An "Afterword" identifies challenges for the future. The book includes syllabi, excerpts from core proposals, curriculum profiles, and lists of questions to guide campus planners. (Contains 31 annotated bibliographic references.) (GLR)