PHASE 3 INNOVATION PROJECTS

Project #3: General Arts and Science

University Transfer

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Karen Maki, Trent University, Project Lead

Project Objectives

• Develop a general arts and science university transfer framework that prepares graduates to be successful in a university arts, humanities, or social science degree program.

• Broaden the acceptance of specific college courses that are part of university transfer programs

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Project Team

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Best Practices in Arts & Science University Transfer

Program Models and Design• Highly prescriptive focus, core curriculum• Cohort model, ~35 students• Core faculty, team teaching

Curriculum Design• Integration of discipline-based foundation + academic skills • Balance breadth and depth• Introduce students to discourse of disciplines• Variety of learning methods• Intro to research

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Best Practices #2Faculty

• Discipline-specific Ph.D• Experience in university teaching

• Remain calibrated to university expectations

• Focus is on teaching

Transition Preparation & Support• Managing expectations

• Balance access and success• Higher than normal attrition rate• Alternative pathways

• Complexity, autonomy• Advising• Self confidence

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Course Equivalencies Methodology

• Selected courses from two established university transfer programs

• Courses designed specifically to prepare students for university

• Fleming GAS University Transfer (1 year – 4 transfer credits)

• Seneca Liberal Arts (2 year – 6-9 transfer credits)

• Syllabi reviewed by universities – 60 reviews conducted

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Fleming College• SOCI103 -- Intro to Psychology: Dynamics of Behaviour• SOCI158 -- Intro to Psychology: Principles of Behaviour• SOCI104 -- Sociology: An Introduction• SOCI105 -- Sociology II: Mass Media• HUMN2 -- Classic and Early Modern Philosophy• HUMN3 -- Modern Philosophy• COMM 62 -- Critical Approaches to Literature in English I• COMM 63 -- Critical Approaches to Literature in English II

Seneca College• YKC100 -- Critical Thinking I• YKC200 -- Critical Thinking II• YKL100 -- Introduction to World Literature• YKL200 -- Introduction to World Literature II

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Fleming College University Transfer

Guelph-Humber

Guelph Trent Windsor York

SOCI103Intro Psychology: Dynamics of Behaviour

A A A A

ASOCI158Intro to Psychology: Principles of Behaviour

A A A A

SOCI104Sociology: An Introduction

A A

A

A

ASOCI105Sociology II: Mass Media

A E E

HUMN2Classic and Early Modern Philosophy

E A

A

A

AHUMN3Modern Philosophy

A A A

COMM 62Critical Approaches to Literature in English I E A

A A

A

COMM 63Critical Approaches to Literature in English II E A A

Results of Equivalency Assessments

Results of Equivalency Assessments #2Seneca CollegeLiberal Arts University Transfer

Guelph-Humber

Guelph Trent Windsor York

YKC100 Critical Thinking I

A

E

A

A A

YKC200 Critical Thinking II E A A

YKL100 Introduction to World Literature E E

E A

A

YKL200 Introduction to World Literature II E A A

Conclusions & Recommendations

• Program-based framework and course-by-course analysis both complementary and contradictory

• Synergies: dedicated, integrated university transfer program model, cohort of students >>> optimal preparation of students for successful transition to university

• Adoption of Best Practices and course exemplars

• Standardized course outline components and course credit units to enhance assessments

• Expand this work to more courses and more institutions…Phase 4

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Thank you…• GAS project team: Rhonda Lenton, Peter Meehan,

Shelagh Towson, John Walsh, Christopher Shields, Jeff Zakoor, Peter Lapp, Pamela Barnett-Idahosa

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Contact…Karen Maki

Director, Post-Secondary PartnershipsTrent University

karenmaki@trentu.ca