Megan Scribner

This book makes brilliant use of the world's great poets to inspire us to lead with our hearts as well as our heads. It calls us to the deeper purpose and meaning within all of us to use our gifts to serve others.

Parker J. Palmer, best-selling author of The Courage to Teach and founder of the Center for Courage and Renewal, and Arthur Zajonc, professor of physics and director of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, advocate a holistic approach to teaching and learning that honors the whole human being -- mind, heart, and spirit. This book offers a rich interplay of analysis, theory, and action options and models to help colleges and universities become places that awaken the deepest show more potential in students, faculty, and staff. The authors propose an approach to educational renewal grounded in collegiality and conversation. show less

Spoiler? I was disappointed. I read this book for a book discussion group at work. The authors don't seem very self aware of how what they write might be received & used. I'm a leftie, but I was struck by the "liberal bias" of the book, it didn't seem to make room for everybody & I think it could have. There was also a scientist bias, I thought, particularly the chapters authored by Zajonc, which was definitely too much of the book. The appendices had these neat examples but most of them show more were just so lifeless. show less

As universities begin to integrate university learning outcomes, we seek guidance in how to link course work with life experience, help students draw connections from one course to the next, and build skills that cross the disciplines like critical thinking, effective oral and written communication, and teamwork/innovation. Palmer and Zajonc have both written on these topics in previous publications, but here they pull together their thoughts on what integrative education might mean, show more providing examples from how other faculty and institutions and attempted to build experiences for their students. This book is a great read for those who are trying to figure out how their course(s) fit into the larger whole - especially for those (at Boise State University) who teach Disciplinary Lens courses or University Foundations courses. show less