Simply stated, I believe the core curriculum should have two purposes: first, to provide the basic knowledge and skills that the student will need to be successful in college and in life after college, and second, to engage students in learning about themselves, other people, and the world around them from a variety of perspectives provided by the different academic disciplines. It is time to implement a simpler core curriculum.

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By Jude Nixon Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences This is my first opportunity as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences (SOAS) to address you in ASpect. I wish first to express my deepest gratitude to Chris Fauske, who served tirelessly and diligently as Interim Dean, holding the office together in [...]

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By Jim Gubbins Department of Interdisciplinary Studies “What is a good life?” Isn’t that a big, wonderful question? Isn’t that the question we should all be asking ourselves? I strongly suspect that unless we have wandered into a philosophy class, we are not asking that question, nor will we find that question dominating the Blogosphere, [...]

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By Adrienne Dolberry Biology Department George Geyser is a hero and to others he is a lucky slob. However unexpected, the cure for Alzheimer’s is a long awaited relief. George’s discovery is an example that microbes can be used therapeutically. Scientists will continue research on his discovery and possibly find a microbe that helps with [...]

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By Dan Albert Department of History Interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching has a fairly sound footing on many college and university campuses where this or that institute, “studies” department, or entire school is dedicated not to the tools and techniques of a traditional discipline but to answering a particular question of immediate and practical interest. The [...]

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By Daniel Mulcare Department of Political Science Last year, I participated in a Faculty Learning Community, a diverse group of Salem State College faculty that was set up to facilitate conversation and community.1 In our sessions, we explored the multifaceted nature of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL), a cross-disciplinary research methodology that seeks [...]

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By Kara Kaufman History Department Picture the scenario: I am with my husband at his annual company picnic and he has just introduced me to his manager (aptly called “The Boss”). After many dinner conversations with my husband about The Boss, I know how important this picnic is to him and his career. As The [...]

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