sTrATeGy 3.1
build a strong sense of intellectual
community among undergraduate
students.
AcTIoNs
A.
Build a strong liberal arts core to the
Washington University undergraduate
education.
1. Expand opportunities for freshmen to take
small, interdisciplinary, issues-based classes,
on the model of the Pathfinder, mind-
Brain-Behavior and FOCUS programs.
2. Increase the number of writing intensive
courses to emphasize the importance of
writing for all of our students.
3. Strengthen quantitative analysis and critical
thinking in our curriculum.
4. Ensure technological fluency.
b.
achieve greater student diversity (racial,
socio-economic, etc.).
c.
Develop the means for powerful learning
experiences outside the classroom.
1. Offer more varied internships and study
abroad opportunities.
2. train undergraduates to develop leadership
skills and citizenship.
3. Extend opportunities for student/faculty
interaction by increasing participation
in faculty fellows/associates program in
the dormitories.
4. Work with the Career Center to realize and
promote the value of a liberal arts education
as a foundation for any career.
d.
Build strong areas of joint study and more
pathways to professional degree programs.
1. Collaborate to develop and strengthen
undergraduate joint majors or minors such
as Bioinformatics, Environmental Studies.
2. Develop strong joint degree programs.
e.
train undergraduates to mentor and
tutor peers.
sTrATeGy 3.2
develop effective approaches to assess and
improve student learning.
AcTIoNs
A.
Broaden senior capstone experiences with
the aim of providing every undergraduate
with a significant research experience.
b.
Use empirical research on teaching and
learning to help us further improve our
educational practices.
EXPaNDED UNDErGraDUatE OPPOrtUNItIES
Great progress has been made enhancing arts & Sciences' undergraduate experience
and educating undergraduates. this remains our most important mission. arts &
Sciences enjoys the benefits of a liberal arts college where students have close relationships
with faculty, a multitude of course offerings, and the intellectual freedom to explore
various traditional and interdisciplinary pursuits. Our faculty is committed to scholar-
ship and produces ample opportunity for undergraduates to explore academic research
across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. the strategies suggested
will build on our current undergraduate experience, which is already strong. Chief among
them is the imperative that we significantly increase our financial aid resources in order
to admit and enroll top students, regardless of their financial need.
Over the next decade we aim to extend the arts & Sciences general education re-
quirements to all undergraduates in order to create a unified educational experience.
We will strengthen the educational connections to other units such as Computer
Science. this will allow us to recruit excellent students who are attracted to such a
unifying experience. accordingly, all students would take a similar liberal arts core along
with a major in an arts & Sciences or a professional school discipline.
Core Initiative
Create a unified college.
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StratEGIES aND aCtIONS
Goal 3
UNDErGraDUatE