General Education: What Should Be Its Focus?

Authors

Paul F. Haas, Bowling Green State University

Abstract

It is apparently fashionable today to study and discuss the alternative methods used to teach the principles courses in the social sciences. Many of us have read about and have examined texts with greater lucidity and/or topical orientation. Many of us have also attempted to make our principles courses more relevant (assuming we can define relevant) by altering the course content or means of delivery. However, how many of us have actually attempted to define the purpose of our principles courses and have designed them specifically to pursue that purpose? Let us be even more challenging and inquire how many of us have asked where does our particular social science principles courses fit into the scheme of higher education , especially in the area relating to general education? The intent of this paper is to probe these questions and provide an alternative that will hopefully contribute a viable solution to the dilemma of teaching the social sciences and achieving the goals of a general education.

Recommended Citation

Haas, Paul F. (1976) "General Education: What Should Be Its Focus?," Perspectives (1969-1979): Vol. 8: No. 2, Article 5.
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/perspectives/vol8/iss2/5