Issues of General Education Design in a Knowledge-based
Society
J. Wey Chen, Ph.D.
Professor of the Southern Taiwan University of Technology
Former Professor of the University of Northern Colorado and
Chairman of the 1999-2000 Curriculum Committee
Abstract
Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U ) has worked
intensively on the issue of general education reform since the early 1980s. Most
general education initiatives aim to ensure that every undergraduate student
experiences a relevant and challenging general education curriculum. The mission
of general education has focused on advancing and strengthening liberal education
for all college students, regardless of their intended careers. While the term is used
in multiple ways, AAC&U sees liberal education as philosophy of education that
empowers individuals, liberates the mind from ignorance, and cultivates social
responsibility. Characterized by challenging encounters with important issues, and
more a way of studying than a specific course or field of study, a liberal education
can be achieved at all types of colleges and universities.
This paper traces and contrasts three major general education philosophies to
justify the current trend and developments in the field, and based on the thorough
review of literature, proposed an ideal model and good practices for us to rethink
our general education program in Taiwan. The author puts forward the following
ideas about the Taiwanese general education programs: optimize curricula structure,
carry out general education; construct curricular platform; strengthen teacher
training program; increase time for teaching practice; and stress the construction of
teaching practice bases.
Key Words: Association of American Colleges and Universities，AAC&U， general
education， liberal education，general education philosophy
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