6 2 - Dominican University

More documents

Recommendations

Info

6 FEATURE passion seminars Small classes dom.edu / magazine integrated g curriculum and learning g model Building a Distinctive Educational Experience academic opportunities pp academic opportunities opportunities curriculum mapping pp g sciplinary research Exce lence and Accountability WHILE CONSUMERS MAY TYPICALLY KNOW AND EVALUATE A PRODUCT ON THE BASIS OF A CLEVER COMMERCIAL OR ADVERTISING SLOGAN, AS ANY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT OR PARENT OF A HIGH SCHOOLER CAN ATTEST, THE “TRY IT, YOU’LL LIKE IT” FORMULA DOESN’T HOLD TRUE WHEN “SHOPPING” FOR THE RIGHT COLLEGE EXPERIENCE. HIGHER EDUCATION ISN’T SIMPLY A PRODUCT TO BE PURCHASED. A DEGREE ISN’T A RECEIPT. paired courrses
l y “THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENT RESEARCH AT THE UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE LEVEL ARE EXTENSIVE AND IMPRESSIVE, INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.” CHERYL JOHNSON-ODIM, PHD, PROVOST Excellent teaching is a key indicator of the Dominican experience. Small classes taught by experienced faculty are considered a mark of academic quality and reputation for the university. While all organizations and institutions engage in regular assessment and evaluation – both formal and informal – to assure ongoing viability and relevance, how do you assess the value of a degree? What distinguishes a Dominican education from the many undergraduate and graduate school choices available? It’s a multifaceted and multilayered answer that rests within the defined markers of excellence and accountability, reflects Donna M. Carroll, president, Dominican University. Those markers of excellence and distinction are found throughout the university and to illustrate, she points to a number of Dominican’s most notable features including outstanding faculty, an integrated curriculum and learning model and respected external endorsements. Indeed, excellent teaching is a key indicator of the Dominican University experience. Small classes taught by experienced faculty – 84 percent of whom have doctoral or other terminal degrees – are considered a mark of academic quality and reputation for the university. “Given multiple career paths and increasing access to divergent sources of knowledge, it is crucial to be an integrative thinker,” says Jeffrey Carlson, PhD, dean, Rosary College of Arts and Sciences. “A hallmark of a Dominican education is the capacity to connect the dots, to discern the big picture and one’s place within it – to stand somewhere and to stand for something. Our faculty builds relationships with students, helping them to find their passion for a particular field of study, to pursue research and creative investigations in depth, and to situate their learning and their living within broader contexts, guided by an ethically responsible vision. The undergraduate experience is one of discovery, whole-making, and deep personal commitment.” A key component of the university’s core curriculum is the liberal arts and science seminars – integrative courses that apply multiple perspectives to “big questions” that explore FEATURE through reading, writing and discussion on topics related to the dimensions of self, community and culture, virtues, values and more. While common in many universities at the freshman level, at Dominican, seminars are required courses for students each year. Another area where this integration occurs within the undergraduate curriculum is with paired courses where students study and explore subjects together from different disciplines. For instance, students can study medieval literature and medieval history together during the same semester. As an extension of the classroom teaching, Dominican also offers a plethora of academic opportunities ranging from 17 study abroad opportunities, 46 service learning classes and limitless opportunities for community service; and 36 funded undergraduate research experiences. “The opportunities for student research at the undergraduate and graduate level are extensive and impressive, including international opportunities,” Cheryl Johnson-Odim, PhD, provost, says. “We have particular strengths in collaborative research between faculty members and students, and in interdisciplinary research. Dominican is committed to increasing support for research and to becoming a regional leader, especially in undergraduate research.” Endorsements and recognition by external entities also play an important role for universities, and Dominican is no exception. Currently, the School of Education (SOE) is preparing for accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) – considered the gold standard for education program accreditation. As a candidate for accreditation, the school is required to submit its programs for full review. To gain insights into the SOE curriculum, Colleen Reardon, EdD, dean, and the faculty are engaged in a process of curriculum mapping, which provides a way of looking at the curriculum to determine gaps, overlaps and overall cohesiveness. A process common at the K-12 level, curriculum mapping is still relatively new at the university level. Fall 2010 Dominican University Magazine 7
Page 1 and 2: A Life-Changing Enterprise A Peek I
Page 3 and 4: DU NEWS 2 Provost Elected to Higher
Page 5 and 6: Nutrition Science Students Win Burg
Page 7: 2010-2011 Performing Arts Schedule
Page 11 and 12: INTEGRATIVE SEMINARS - CRITICAL THI
Page 13 and 14: In its first year, the Dominican Un
Page 15 and 16: All institutional records and speci
Page 17 and 18: On Tuesdays, Professor Dianne Costa
Page 19 and 20: While the experience officially beg
Page 21 and 22: August Aleksy Jr. Owner, Centuries
Page 23 and 24: Concepts in Successful Aging As a c
Page 25 and 26: Tonia Bernardi Triggiano, assistant
Page 27 and 28: What inspired you? Your gift to Dom

6 2 - Dominican University

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?