The Open Curriculum Past, Present and Future: Open for Whom?

In light of the campus conversations about diversity and inclusion -- which have brought to bear the challenges we still face as educators, advisors, and student scholars in making Brown truly accessible to all undergraduates -- at this event we raise a series of questions about teaching and learning, scholarship, and the student experience.

What conception of freedom does the curriculum presuppose, and what effect does the expectation that students be the architects of their education have on the student-scholar and on the greater Brown community today?

What does good teaching and advising look like when we place the onus on student initiative?

What conception of knowledge does the Open Curriculum promote, and in what ways have we fulfilled or fallen short of cultivating a dynamic, innovative, and interdisciplinary academic culture?

Given the changing demographic of the undergraduate student body, how might the Curriculum itself become even more open to and accommodating of the diversity of student needs and interests?

References:

• “Taking a Closer Look at Concentration Advising,” in Brown Daily Herald, November 18, 2014.

• Guterl, Matthew Pratt. “Why We Need an Open Curriculum,” in The Chronicle of Higher Education, July 21, 2014.

• Brown Alumni Relations 40th Reunion Forum: “The 1968 Walkout: A Turning Point in Brown’s History,” 2009.

• The Curriculum at Forty: A Plan for Strengthening the College Experience at Brown. Final Report of the Task Force on Undergraduate Education, Office of the Dean of the College, September 2008.

• “Center Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary,” in Brown Daily Herald, October 29, 1986.

• “The Scholar v. The Activist,” in Brown Daily Herald, April 10, 1986.

• “Taking a Hard Look at the ‘New Curriculum’,” in Brown Daily Herald, June 1, 1974.

• “New Curriculum Philosophy Examined,” in Brown Daily Herald, January 11, 1974.

• “Faculty Accepts Concentration, Grading Reforms, MT Courses,” in Pembroke Record, May 9, 1969.

---

Location:  Sayles Hall Auditorium | Friday, September 23, 2016 at 3:30-5:00 PM

Event co-sponsor: Brown Center for Students of Color​

Panelists:

• Anthony Alfieri ‘81 P’15 P’18, Visiting Professor, Brown Department of Africana Studies; Professor of Law & Director, Center for Ethics & Public Service, University of Miami Law School

• Victor Bramble ‘17, Modern Culture & Media and Ethnic Studies concentrator; CRC Coordinator

• Cornelia Dean ‘69, Visiting Distinguished Lecturer of Environmental Studies; Science Writer, The New York Times

• Matthew Guterl, Professor of Africana Studies, American Studies and Ethnic Studies

• Kenneth McDaniel ‘69 P’13, former EEO manager, Naval Underwater Warfare College Division; founding member, Inman Page Black Alumni Council

• Dolma Ombadykow ‘17, Independent concentrator, Medical Humanities; CRC Coordinator

• Moderator: Maud S. Mandel, Professor of History & Judaic Studies and Dean of the College 

Acknowledgements:  

• Ellen Grant and Anthony Alfieri ‘81, P’15 P’18

• Office of Alumni Relations & the Division of Advancement

• Maud S. Mandel, Dean of the College

• Besenia Rodriguez ‘00, Senior Associate Dean for Curriculum

• Myra Liwanag '91, Director, Regional & Multicultural Programs, Alumni Relations

• Joshua Segui, Director, Brown Center for Students of Color