ANAC and AAC&U Conference at PLU

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	The conference will explore the philosophical foundations of the liberal and professional traditions in the American academy.
	Pacific Lutheran University, site of the 2000 conference.
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	Pacific Lutheran University campus affords views of Mt. Rainer.


	Institutional case studies of reforms, commonly motivated by a desire to link theory and practice in improving learning outcomes of graduates in both areas, will be presented and analyzed.

September, 1999 Edition

ANAC and AAC&U Collaborate on Liberal/Professional Studies Conference,
April 6-8, 2000, at Pacific Lutheran University

ANAC and AAC&U announce a joint conference to be held at Pacific Lutheran University, April 6-8, 2000, resulting from emerging issues in ANAC's project funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and interests identified by AAC&U's American Conference of Academic Deans (ACAD). These issues range from concerns about professional accreditation in integrating liberal and professional studies and institutional obstacles to integration, to ways that theory and practice can better infuse teacher preparation in areas such as science education and how pedagogies from liberal and professional studies might become common property in both areas in order to increase student competence and reflective capacities. The Conference goal is to examine these and related issues in all types of higher education institutions in order to improve educational practice. Interested persons may contact Jerry Berberet (anacjberb@aol.com) or 850-927-3948, or Eliza Reilly at AAC&U (reilly@aacu.nw.dc.us) or 202-884-7421.

Conference Theme: "Integration of Liberal and Professional Studies: from Aspirations to Improved Practice"

Few issues feature more prominently in higher education's curricular reform agenda these days than the aspiration to bring about a meaningful integration of liberal and professional studies in the education of undergraduate students. Not only is interaction between liberal arts and professional programs limited on most campuses, but faculty suspicions regarding everything from the intellectual training to the motives of colleagues across this "great curricular divide" are commonplace. Consequently, significant curricular integration largely remains still-born, especially if general education distribution requirements are excluded (which, in any case, many students still regard as hurdles to "get out of the way.")

The conference will explore the philosophical foundations of the liberal and professional traditions in the American academy as a basis to enrich liberal learning through their integration. Institutional case studies of reforms, commonly motivated by a desire to link theory and practice in improving learning outcomes of graduates in both areas, will be presented and analyzed. Attention will be given to faculty development programs designed to increase appreciation for what the two traditions have to offer each other, to impacts of technology on the future of higher education, and to new developments in teaching and learning. Strategies will be discussed to assist institutions in implementing change efforts for better integrating liberal and professional studies.

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