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CU-Dillard Collaborative Curriculum Partnership
Liberal Arts Education in a Technological Age

Introduction

Summary: Our work centers around the idea that transformational liberal arts core curriculum creation can be achieved in the 21st century if institutions work together, if they are diverse in nature, if they synthesize liberal arts and technological thinking, and if they consider instructional design and evaluation concepts in the curricula design and delivery. As we pursue this broader belief, we will discover new insights with respect to liberal arts education in a diverse and digital age. We believe these insights will have national significance, as other institutions address the growing need for liberal arts curriculum informed by diverse thinking and supported by technology.

Background: In April of 2002, Dillard University (a highly ranked, private four-year historically black comprehensive college located in New Orleans, Louisiana) and the University of Colorado at Boulder (a large and predominantly white, prominent public research university located in Colorado) were awarded a demonstration grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The purpose of the grant centered on the revitalization of core liberal arts education in a technological age, via the creation of a curricular-based, strategic and broad partnership between two dissimilar institutions.

 

Mission: Dillard and CU believe that together we can transform liberal arts core curricula in ways that would be impossible working separately. Both institutions believe critical thinking and liberal arts instruction will play a vital role in tomorrow's global society. A 21st century, revitalized liberal arts education will require new core curriculum that recognizes students and faculty alike need an expanded world-view, a perspective that is best realized by bringing diverse student and faculty populations together to share experiences. This can be accomplished on a limited scale by exchanges, joint meetings and other shared events. To be more broadly and economically replicated, however, technological capabilities can be exploited to "create" proximity of diverse people and viewpoints.

Last updated ~ Feb.16.2005