Cross-Campus Community
The Vital Nature of Breadth and Depth Dr. Chris Nicol, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science is a firm believer of preparing students through the liberal education philosophy and cross-campus collaboration
L to R: Dr. Chris Nicol, Peter Zajiczek, and Teena Cormack Dr. Chris Nicol, Dean of Arts and Science at the University of Lethbridge, is a firm believer in the University’s liberal education philosophy and the vital nature of crosscampus collaboration, particularly between Arts and Science and Education, in shaping teachers of excellence.
in a wide array of areas in order to answer unexpected questions from curious students. There has to be breadth to what you’re doing as well as depth so that, when you get off the wall questions, you’re well equipped to answer them. That is the preparation we’re seeking to give.”
Writer: Stacy Seguin, Photographer: Rod Leland
“The University has always had highly-integrated programming across the Faculties. This builds a long-term ability to be flexible and adapt to a changing environment.” “The University has always had highlyintegrated programming across Faculties. This builds a long-term ability to be flexible and adapt to a changing environment,” explains Nicol. “The whole philosophy here has been to have a broad educational perspective. I think education students, particularly, require a strong foundation
Dr. Chris Nicol
Over the years, Nicol has spoken with many graduates who have come to appreciate the variety of skills they gained while taking courses from the many disciplines offered through Arts and Science, and the opportunities they had to work closely with professors. According to Nicol, “many students talk about how they have had
an opportunity here to be involved in the development of new knowledge through research and scholarly activity. There are lots of opportunities for them to be involved in things like independent study courses, or working directly with researchers the Dr. Janiceon Rahn researchers’ scholarly programs of activity. This is also true in the Faculty of Education, where students acquire an appreciation for the process of discovering new things and the importance of taking that into the classroom.” After at least two years of Arts and Science experience, students enter the Faculty of Education with a breadth and depth of knowledge, an emerging understanding of research techniques and purposes, and are well prepared to learn the educational content, curriculum and pedagogy that are behind the University’s well- known reputation for shaping future teachers of excellence.
Th e Le g ac y |
2010
17