As a civic arts institution, Tusculum College is uniquely prepared to offer education that leads to effective citizenship. The answers to the questions below below describe some of the distinctive features that contribute to making this literally a one-of-a-kind experience in higher education.

A. What is meant by "Civic Arts"?   [Back to top]

The term liberal arts is used so often in so many different ways that it has lost any clear meaning. Some people use the term in reference to just about any small private college. Others use it to refer to a curriculum that includes a range of courses in a variety of subjects. Therefore, at Tusculum College we have developed the term Civic Arts in order to recapture the original meaning of the phrase liberal arts as it was first used by Cicero, the Roman orator, philosopher, statesman, and educator from whose villa our college takes its name. This original meaning referred to those skills, attitudes, and abilities appropriate to citizenship in a democratic society. We draw strength for implementing the Civic Arts mission of the College from two traditions that have undergirded the institution throughout its 200-year history and have provided the College's guiding virtues.

On one hand, the Judeo-Christian heritage was uppermost in the minds of our Presbyterian founders and continues to figure in our ongoing connection to the church. This tradition, in addition to its richness of spiritual insight, has a special role in promoting the virtue of Compassion. This virtue goes far beyond simply being "nice" to others, but leads us to seek to truly understand the situation and outlook of others.

On the other hand, the civic republican tradition, including Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Cato, and others leading right up to the present time, emphasizes citizens working together to form good societies that, in turn, nurture individuals of good character. Such virtues as Courage (moral and physical), Self-Control (moderation, responsibility and self-discipline), and Justice (a sense of fair play) are all prominent in the civic republican tradition.

Particular emphasis is placed on practical wisdom. Within the tradition, this term carries a special meaning. It indicates careful thinking with other citizens, guided by the virtues listed above in order to determine a course of action that will enhance the good of the community. Drawing on these two traditions then, the Civic Arts embrace such things as active and empathetic listening, the ability to present one's thoughts clearly in speaking or writing, the ability to analyze situations carefully and solve problems creatively, consistent use of the virtues embodied in the traditions for personal and public decision making, and respect for one's own cultural heritage and that of others.

B. How are the Civic Arts built into Tusculum College?  [Back to top]

Five principal avenues integrate the Civic Arts into academic life at Tusculum College: the Focused Calendar, the Commons Core Curriculum, Service-Learning, and Major Programs of Study. Each of these is discussed below.

1. Focused Calendar.

At Tusculum, a semester is comprised of four blocks, each three and one-half weeks long. A student takes one course per block. We call this a focused calendar because students and faculty can concentrate on one course without the distraction of having to prepare other courses at the same time.

This calendar was implemented in order to produce a distinctive teaching and learning environment. Since classes meet for an average of three hours daily, students and faculty are able to get to know each other quite well, facilitating exchange of ideas among all members of the class, transforming the classroom into a model of a community.

In addition to transmitting knowledge, such classes actively engage students in their own learning. The focused calendar allows time for serious listening and critical thinking, as well as for learning to communicate clearly.

In the process, students and faculty connect the subject matter of the course to their lives and the life of the community more directly than is normally possible. Some additional benefits of the focused calendar include:

• Field trips, laboratory work, and other out-of-classroom experiences are readily arranged since there are no conflicts with other classes. Recently, courses have included extended trips to Mexico, Costa Rica, Boston, Chicago, and Ocracoke, among others, while dozens of other courses have included overnight or day trips as an integrated part of their curriculum.
• Retention of material is enhanced due to the concentration encouraged by the calendar itself and the fact that classroom environment and a wider range of teaching methods more directly connect the knowledge gained to students' lives.
• Films, dramatic productions or other modes of presentation, where appropriate, can be used within the context of a class, while still allowing time for discussion.
• Close contact with students allows early identification of students needing extra help as well as advanced students who are ready for extra challenges.
• Students have opportunity to develop personal skills of self-discipline and time management since the schedule provides blocks of discretionary time.

2. Commons Core Curriculum

While most colleges utilize a "distribution" approach to general education, involving students in a series of unrelated introductory courses in various disciplines, the Commons at Tusculum College is a true core consisting of a set of courses required of all students. Many of the Commons courses are designed by teams of faculty from across the campus. More importantly, the Commons courses provide the depth of understanding, the intellectual background, and the creativity and imagination required of citizens in effectively addressing the problems confronting society.

3. Competency Program

Many institutions assume that students will have developed their abilities simply by taking and passing courses. At Tusculum, the Competency Program ensures that graduates can demonstrate their ability to perform at specified levels of achievement in nine different areas. This level of ability can greatly enhance a student's chances for success in graduate school or professional life. The full document outlining the Competency Program and all its criteria is distributed to all students and is also available on request from the college.

4. Service Learning

At Tusculum service is an integral part of the curriculum. Many courses include service components. In addition, as part of the Commons Core Curriculum, all students have the opportunity for practical experience outside the classroom and a chance to serve the community. Students acquire valuable skills in areas such as leadership, collective decision-making, communication, working in groups, and public problem-solving. Most important, students gain knowledge of their ability to work together in order to make a difference.

5. Programs of Study

An important element of civic contribution is the ability to make a living by performing meaningful work in the community. The major programs of study at Tusculum are similar in some ways to majors at other institutions. A dedicated faculty, highly qualified in their respective areas of expertise, work with students to develop concentrated professional knowledge that will be useful in graduate school or in various vocations. The civic arts focus of the college's mission provides a deeper context for the knowledge and skills acquired in a student's major. Coursework and field experiences prepare students not only to function within the specialized area, but to relate that specialized knowledge to general welfare of the larger community. In addition, work in the Commons and Service-Learning Competencies contributes to the strengthening of the very skills that so many reports have indicated as crucial to professional success: clear communication, critical analysis, problem solving, interpersonal skills, and ethical decision making. This enriched educational context provides exceptional professional preparation for our students in all the various major programs of study offered by the college.

C. How do Tusculum's distinctive programs affect me as a student at Tusculum College?   [Back to top]

Students enrolling in Tusculum College should be prepared to spend a significant portion of each day in diligent study. In an academic community such as Tusculum, academic rigor is valued; professors will expect much of you, while also providing the support you need to be successful if you put forth the effort. Such effort will not only reap individual dividends of academic success, but also is important in maintaining an intellectual atmosphere conducive to learning. While much can be learned from the well-qualified faculty, it is also true that much is learned from interactions with fellow students. The better prepared each student is, the richer is the academic climate for all.

There are numerous opportunities to become involved in campus organizations, clubs, volunteer service in the community, college governance, intramurals, and intercollegiate athletics. All of these provide experiences that are enjoyable in their own right while also developing the skills of working with others toward a common goal, even when it is necessary to work through disagreements. Such experience and skill are invaluable for civic life.

D. How do Tusculum's distinctive programs affect graduates?   [Back to top]

Your time spent pursuing a degree at Tusculum College is probably the most important investment you can make. The College has had a long history of success from graduates in its various major programs of study. The Civic Arts mission of the College, Commons Curriculum, and other reforms, all work together in an integrated way to prepare citizens for effective participation in professional, public, and personal life. The first graduates under our new programs received their degrees in May, 1995. Already, the strong track record of the past is being further strengthened as these graduates take their place in society. The bold initiatives of the institution are gaining increasing national recognition, further enhancing the value of your degree from Tusculum College. Of course, the special environment here is not for everybody. Since the programs here are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, credits earned at Tusculum will be accepted at virtually any other college. We invite you to spend time in the college's Web site to learn about admissions and financial aid procedures, and to discover more details about the distinctive academic programs offered by Tusculum College.