Reimagining Gen Ed curriculum for 2019

The College of Arts & Sciences is updating its General Education curriculum — the first major overhaul since the “Making Connections” curriculum was put into place in 2006.

Dean Kevin Guskiewicz formed a Curriculum Revision Working Group chaired by Andrew Perrin, professor of sociology and special assistant to the dean, to begin the process last fall.

“Just as Carolina has been in the forefront of instructional innovation, I am confident that we will be leaders in reimagining a foundational, broad and deep liberal arts education at a leading global public research university as we prepare students for the challenges of 21st-century lives and careers,” Guskiewicz said.

Town hall meetings were held in the fall for the Carolina community and the general public to provide input. The planners also held conversations with key stakeholders across campus.

Earlier this spring, eight task forces were assigned specific areas to address, such as “core knowledge and practical skills,” “diverse perspectives and global understanding,” “experiential education,” and “communication and collaboration.” The task forces are expected to present their reports in May.

Once the recommendations are finalized, faculty will begin designing courses (or redesigning existing ones) to meet the new requirements, with the new curriculum debuting in fall 2019 for first-year students.

All undergraduates entering Carolina spend their first two years in the College as they complete their General Education requirements. Some go on to declare majors in other UNC schools, but the vast majority — 78 percent — will graduate with a degree from the College and one of its 40-plus majors.