Change, Challenge, and Complexity in the College Curriculum
Nancy L. Sukornyk
School of General Arts and Science, Fleming College, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
William T. Smale *
School of Education, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This paper explores the growing need for integrated arts education at the college level. Specifically, the authors describe the need for an arts program which incorporates multiple disciplines and connects them to other, non-creative disciplines. Arts education affords students invaluable lessons in critical thinking, creativity, and communication, all of which are essential for the successful navigation of 21st-century challenges. The authors conclude that, contrary to current trends wherein arts education is being marginalized at the post-secondary level, an integrated approach to college arts education offers indispensable skill and enlargement of perspective for the general education of successful balanced individuals.
Keywords: Arts education, curriculum design, adult learner, instructional strategies.