Rethinking the Curriculum

This book is founded on the consensus that most of what passes for liberal studies and general education is so out of touch with today's world that it is simply beside the point. Not only does the curriculum fail to address contemporary reality, but when it does, it does so in such a fragmented form that little useful understanding can be extracted. For example, one of the chief inadequacies brought out by the text is the failure of current disciplines to deal with the inherent messiness and complexity of real world issues such as hunger, conflict, and pollution. As a result of this, today's decision makers are unable to grasp the underlying causes of our global crises, and instead catch at the straws of technological or social fixes. Starting with the general consensus that something is seriously wrong, this book seeks to identify the issues, provide insights on what can be done and issue a few challenges as well. The 18 contributions and editor's introduction included in this important volume are organized around five sub-themes: Assumptions about the Progress of Knowledge, A Critical Look at the Disciplines, The Value Content of Education, Alternative Visions Not Currently Taught, and Developing the New Curriculum. Within these themes the authors tackle provocative issues such as unmasking the dangerous limitations of hyperintelligence and exploring the place of the East-West dialogue in moral curriculum and value orientation. This collection encompasses some of the most dynamic thinking on the subject of curricular change and will be of interest to educators and students as well as all thinking people.