Faculty Members
Charge:
The charge of the Joint Task Force is to review and propose revisions to the General Education curriculum (including University writing requirements). In fulfilling its charge, the Task Force shall:
- Engage Stakeholders Broadly
Engage in wide ranging consultations with the campus academic constituencies, including the faculty in the humanities and fine arts, social sciences, and natural sciences who are expected to exercise primary responsibility over the General Education curriculum, as well as with students and staff.
- Benchmark and Innovate
Study recent literature (from national higher education organizations, such as the American Association of Colleges and Universities, Undergraduate Education at Research Universities, etc.) on current frameworks and best practices in general education, as well as models at peer and aspirational institutions with the aim of incorporating best ideas and practices while designing a program that reflects UMass Amherst’s distinctiveness and leadership in public higher education.
- Define Core Knowledge and Skills
Identify and articulate the foundational knowledge and capacities drawn from both longstanding areas of a liberal arts education in the humanities and fine arts, social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences, as well as competencies in additional areas such as, but not limited to, democracy, digital literacy, and pluralistic perspective-taking that UMass Amherst undergraduate students should acquire.
- Evaluate Existing Proposals
Examine the value and feasibility of previously submitted proposals (e.g., requirements related to sustainability, Cornerstone, language, diversity, and ethics).
- Examine the Junior Year Writing and Integrative Experience Requirements Examination shall focus on both the structure and delivery of these requirements.
- Ensure Equity, Accessibility, and Navigability
Create a coherent, transparent, and affordable structure that supports timely degree completion and takes into consideration those who enroll as first-year students, as well as those who enroll as transfer students.
- Align with UMass Amherst’s Mission and Identity
Root the curriculum in the university’s public mission, vision, and values.
- Design a Proposed Curriculum
The curriculum shall be aligned with the findings and consultations derived from items 1 through 7 above. Prioritize the design of the proposed curriculum, including an analysis of affordability and associated costs.
- Propose a Feasible Implementation Roadmap
Develop clear, actionable recommendations for implementation, including proposed timelines, governance structures, course development needs, resource implications and feasibility/affordability, as well as assessment plans to ensure continuous improvement.