In this week's "Brainstorm,"  The Chronicle Review blog, Stan Katz offers a thoughtful critique of Mark Taylor's op-ed in the April 27th issue of the NY Times (see previous blog entry). His main criticism is that Taylor only offers a grocery list of suggested reforms, many of which are old ideas and don't hang together. Fair enough. From my perspective, though, one of the readers who writes in support of Taylor makes the most salient point:

"I think Taylor is spot-on in terms of restructuring the curriculum— particularly as it relates to more integration and less disciplinary 'silos.' As inter and multi disciplinary programs increase, colleges and universities are being stretched to meet the new demands (e.g. environmental sciences/studies).

With crises (like climate change) come opportunities to re-imagine teaching and learning in higher education. The current general education model is woefully inadequate and amounts to a “checkbox” caricature of the liberal arts.

Tomorrow’s students need to be systems-thinkers (and doers). From my seat, I worry that we are driving around in the higher education equivalent of a Chevy Nova. It’s time to imagine if things were otherwise."