“The Meta-Curriculum: Planning ‘theme years’ at St. Olaf”
Wednesday, April 4
Dan Hofrenning, Political Science
Jim May, Provost and Dean of the College
(co-sponsor: Dean of the College)
St. Olaf is now in its second “theme year.” Ideally, a year’s theme is a principle that pervades many aspects of the curriculum and life of the college. It should filter into classrooms, and make the informal interactions of students and faculty more substantive. This CILA Conversation will feature comments by Dean Jim May and by faculty who have been involved in planning theme years, but there will be the opportunity to develop new ideas. How should a “theme year” work? What pitfalls might we avoid? What faculty, program, and other resources are we able to draw on? What possibilities are there?
As a reminder: In 2005-06, our theme was “Sustainability,” which was planned to focus the campus community’s energy and conversation on issues of energy and conservation. This year (and next), the overarching theme is “Global Citizenship and the Liberal Arts,” with attention to a related issue in each of four semesters. In 2006-07, those issues have been “Fostering a Global Perspective through Study Abroad,” coordinated by Eric Lund, and “Expressing Who We Are Through Language,” coordinated by Léon Narvaez. Next year, 2007-08, the campus will be asked to reflect on “Liberal Arts in Times of War” in the fall, coordinated by Ed Santurri, and “Civic Engagement and the Liberal Arts” in the spring, coordinated by Dan Hofrenning.
