Defining General Education:
What Belongs and
What Does Not
Aimee Myers, Sierra College
Bernie Day, Foothill College
David Morse, Long Beach City College
ASCCC Curriculum Institute July 14-16,
2011
Overview
• Definitions
• External influences
• Aligning GE
outcomes with GE
curriculum
• Determining what
courses are
appropriate for GE
patterns
ASCCC Curriculum Institute July 14-16,
2011
Meeting Multiple Criteria
Title 5 requirements
CSU
GE/IGETC
Criteria
Local
requirements
ASCCC Curriculum Institute July 14-16,
2011
How do we define general
education?
• Title 5 Definition
– Section 55061:
general
overview/definition
– Section 55063 (b)
outlines specific
areas/ requirements
• Local Definitions
– Local GE definitions
ASCCC Curriculum Institute July 14-16,
2011
Outside
Influences
Influences
• SB 1440 AA-T/AS-T
degrees
• CSU Breadth and
IGETC patterns
• CSU “Give Students a
COMPASS” Project
ASCCC Curriculum Institute July 14-16,
2011
Aligning GE
Outcomes and
GE Curriculum
• Local interests & ACCJC
• Challenges of shifting established GE in
context of new outcomes
• Assessment opportunities
ASCCC Curriculum Institute July 14-16,
2011
Considerations
• Double-counting
• Reciprocity
agreements
• ASCCC resolutions
• Budget
• Enrollment/program
vitality
• Proprietary challenges
ASCCC Curriculum Institute July 14-16,
2011
What courses should be included on
General Education patterns?
• Examine sample
course outlines
ASCCC Curriculum Institute July 14-16,
2011
Resources
• Guiding Notes for General Education Course
Reviewershttp://curriculum.comm.mjc.edu/ManualContentsOLD/6
_placing_on_GE/2010_January_GE_Reviewers_Guiding_Notes_
%20entire%20document.pdf
• Articulation for Non-Experts: Understanding the Process and
Jargon (Rostrum March 2011http://asccc.org/content/articulationnon-experts-understanding-processes-and-jargon
• The Case for Reciprocity (Rostrum December 2010)
http://asccc.org/content/case-reciprocity
• Ethnic Studies Requirement: Understanding It and Fulfilling It
(Rostrum January 2010)http://asccc.org/content/ethnic-studiesrequirement-understanding-it-and-fulfilling-it
ASCCC Curriculum Institute July 14-16,
2011
Resources
• Use, Effectiveness, and Awareness of the Intersegmental
General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) An
Evaluation (ICAS Publication)
http://asccc.org/node/174893
• General Education Model Criteria for the Associate
Degree (Academic Senate Publication 1981)
http://asccc.org/node/174849
• Association of American Colleges and Universities:
http://www.aacu.org/resources/generaleducation/index.cf
m
ASCCC Curriculum Institute July 14-16,
2011
Questions and Discussion
• How does your college determine GE
courses?
• What issues do you need help with locally?
ASCCC Curriculum Institute July 14-16,
2011