Humanities FPLC 2006-7
From CTLpedia
Facilitators: Richard Felnagle and Jonelle Moore English, Humanities, ESL, Journalism, and Women's Studies
Humanities group entertains colleagues at 2007 Retreat
Contents |
Humanities FPLC Description
The Mesa Community College hosted a Regional Conversation, "Education in the 21st Century," sponsored by the National Science Foundation in the summer 2005. During the 2005-2006 academic year, a cross-disciplinary team composed of members of the science faculty piloted a Faculty Learning Community, the Nature of Science," in which they pondered what is science or the scientific mind and how to best convey the scientific way of thinking to students. And, recently Governor Janet Napolitano called for greater investment in education targeting science and technology. If our enrollment numbers are representative, the study of the humanities is facing declining interest by students, unless the courses carry multiple "tags" that allow students to check off courses on their way to graduation, the cafeteria approach to education.
Our community was formed to rethink the study of the humanities, given the current demographics of the student population and current emphasis on the sciences and workforce preparation. We have spent our first year attempting to identify the issues related to humanities studies, define terms and identify outcomes. Our work with the FPLC has been challenging, insightful and meaningful. Because we have not finished our work, we plan to stay together as a team for at least one more year -- 2007-2008.
Goals
2006-2007
- Define and conceptualize the humanities
- Compile a literature review
- Identify and examine student outcomes
- Review the Student Outcomes Committee instrument used to assess the humanities.
Possibilities for 2007-2008
- Conduct classroom based research
- Rethink the humanities curriculum at MCC
- Collaborate on a conference presentation
- Collaborate on the publication of a white paper and/or an article.
Definitions
Early definition: An academic discipline devoted to the study of great works; a body of great works; and here expanded to include the creative expressions of all people.
The humanities are/not is . . .
Later definition: The humanities is/are the study(ies) of created works. Which led to questions? What about foundational works? Traditions? Aesthetics? What about the philosophy represented in/by the works? What did the work come into being? What is constant in diversity?
Maybe the humanities is a process or a critical approach to the complexity of thought. Including connections, contextualizing, cultural literacy, critical inquiry, articulation of ideas, to name a few. What kinds of tools are necessary for doing this work?
Outcomes
Work in progress
Meetings
Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30
Aug. 19 Sedona Retreat: The facilitators discussed the difference between the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and Scholarly Teaching. Planned for the year. Discussed the impact of "not" having an IRB in place and techniques for facilitating a FPLC.
Oct. 11 Summary notes in progress
Oct. 25
Nov. 8
Dec. 6
Jan. 17
Jan. 31
Feb. 7
Feb. 21
March 7
March 21
April 4 Host FPLCs at Top Shelf 4-6 p.m.
April 18
May 2
Activities
Dialogue Day to Introduce the Humanities FPLC
A symposium addressing the increasing importance of undergraduate education in the humanities and the ways contemporary issues impact the teaching of the humanities.
Featured Speakers
Rethinking Academic Freedom -- Maria Hesse,President of Chandler-Gilbert Community College with Peter Kushibab, MCCD General Council
Rethinking the Humanities at Arizona State University -- Deborah Losse, Divisional Dean of the Humanities College of Arts and Sciences, ASU
Rethinking the Humanities in the Classroom
Faculty Panel
Kathryn Sheffield, English, Humanities, ESL, Journalism and Women's Studies
David Yount, Philosophy and Religious Studies
Paul Hietter, Social Science, History
Linda Speranza, Ceramics, Art
Facilitators
Richard Felnagle Jonelle Moore English, Humanities and Journalism
Sponsored by the MCLI and MCC Center for Teaching and Learning Faculty and Professional Learning Community (FPLC) Initiative
Readings
Selected Reading
Hollinger, David A., Ed. The Humanities and the Dynamics of Inclusion Since World War II. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006.
Discussion leaders
Richard Felnagle -- Chapters 1-3
Kathryn Sheffield -- Chapter 4
Maria Gardeta Healy -- Chapter 5 and Chapter 9
Lutfi Hussein -- Chapter 7
Amy Lerman -- Chapter 8
Glenn Bennett -- Chapter 10
Jonelle Moore -- Chapter 11
Marie Brown -- Chapter 13
Bibliography
Berube, Michael, and Cary Nelson, Eds. Higher Education Under Fire: Politics, Economics, and the Crisis of the Humanities. New York: Routledge, 1995.
Gardner, Howard. The Arts and Human Development. New York: BasicBooks, 1994. Hollinger, David A., Ed. The Humanities and the Dynamics of Inclusion Since World War II. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006.
Janaro, Richard P., and Thelma C. Altshuler. The Art of Being Human: Humanities for the 21st Century. New York: Longman, 200o
Kennedy, Mary L., William J. Kennedy, and Hadley M. Smith. Writing in the Disciplines: A Reader for Writers. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2004.
Russo, John Paul. The Future Without a Past: The Humanities in a Technological Society. Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 2005.
Spellmeyer, Kurt. Arts of Living: Reinventing the Humanities for the Twenty-first Century. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2003.
Numerous conferences and journal articles are beginning to rethink the humanities referencing technology and relevance to education in the 21st century.
A lecture series sponsored by the Institute for Humanities Research at ASU, “What Good Are the Humanities?” is addressing the same issues briefly described in this proposal.
Planning
Host the other FPLC at the Top Shelf on April 4 from 4-6 o'clock.
Otherwise, work in progress
FPLC Membership
- Maria Gardeta Healy-World Languages
- Lutfi Hussein-ESL, Humanities, Composition
- Glenn Bennett-Music/Vocal
- Amy Lerman-Developmental, Film, Composition
- Paul Elsner-Chancellor-Emeritus/Global Awareness
- Craig Jacobsen-Film, Literature, Composition
- Judy Christensen-Religious Studies
- Marie Brown-Library
- Elizabeth Atencia-Oliden-World English
- Richard Felnagle-Humanities, Composition
- Jonelle Moore-Literature, Composition
- Kathryn Sheffield-English
New Members for 2007-2008
- Marianne Arini-Composition
- Jennifer Waters-Composition
- Laurie Black-Art
Categories: FPLC | 2006-7 | Humanities
