Education for Responsible Living : The Opportunity For Liberal-Arts Colleges

A challenge to the liberal arts college is offered in this plea for liberal arts’ general education designed to fit men better for life in a changing world. Although the author criticizes present methods of university and college education for not keeping pace with conditions in the world, he has not made his attack without presenting a definite program for a new curriculum, which includes the first pragmatic and concrete reforms in the liberal arts college field that have appeared in many years. He relates the various mental and educational processes to the complexities of modern life and is firm in his belief that education should in some way be harnessed to a knowledge of modern affairs and present-day humanities.Wallace Donham has presented a point of view and plan that will provoke serious thought and consideration. With the increased need for educational programs that will equip men to deal effectively with the problems of stabilizing the world, this book is one to be read not only by educators but also by intelligent parents, students, and all those who are concerned with a general education that will give the individual the background and skills he needs for public life or the professions, business, administration, or teaching. Contents Introduction Part I. An Appraisal CHAPTER I. The Liberal Arts Face a Challenge CHAPTER II. Engineering Training and Liberal Education CHAPTER III. The Dual Functions of the Liberal-Arts College CHAPTER IV. Sources of Weakness in General Education CHAPTER V. Science, Social Science and the Practical World CHAPTER VI. The Uncertain World in Which Men Live CHAPTER VII. Specialization in Practical Life CHAPTER VIII. More about Specialization in the Social Sciences CHAPTER IX. Human Relations CHAPTER Χ. The Humanities, Religion and Purpose Part II. An Attempt to Be Specific CHAPTER XI. General Education–The Objectives and Organization of the Curriculum CHAPTER XII. The Four–Year Curriculum in General Education CHAPTER XIII. The Individual – The Unit of Education CHAPTER XIV. Continuous Operation CHAPTER XV. Vocational Training and General Education CHAPTER XVI. Languages and International Understanding CHAPTER XVII. Superficiality and General Education CHAPTER XVIII. Training Men to Handle Problems Responsibly CHAPTER XIX. Science, Social Science, Human Relations, and the Humanities – Their Interdependence CHAPTER XX. Academic Authority, Leadership, and Responsibility CHAPTER XXI. Is General Education Possible?