The Heart of Higher Education

A call to advance integrative teaching and learning in higher education. From Parker Palmer, best-selling author of The Courage to Teach, and Arthur Zajonc, professor of physics at Amherst College and director of the academic program of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, comes this call to revisit the roots and reclaim the vision of higher education. The Heart of Higher Education proposes an approach to teaching and learning that honors the whole human being mind, heart, and spirit an essential integration if we hope to address the complex issues of our time. The book offers a rich interplay of analysis, theory, and proposals for action from two educators and writers who have contributed to developing the field of integrative education over the past few decades. Presents Parker Palmer s powerful response to critics of holistic learning and Arthur Zajonc s elucidation of the relationship between science, the humanities, and the contemplative traditions Explores ways to take steps toward making colleges and universities places that awaken the deepest potential in students, faculty, and staff Offers a practical approach to fostering renewal in higher education through collegiality and conversation The Heart of Higher Education is for all who are new to the field of holistic education, all who want to deepen their understanding of its challenges, and all who want to practice and promote this vital approach to teaching and learning on their campuses.

A call to advance integrative teaching and learning in highereducation.From Parker Palmer, best-selling author of The Courage toTeach, and Arthur Zajonc, professor of physics at AmherstCollege and director of the academic program of the Center forContemplative Mind in Society, comes this call to revisit the rootsand reclaim the vision of higher education. The Heart of HigherEducation proposes an approach to teaching and learning thathonors the whole human being--mind, heart, and spirit--anessential integration if we hope to address the complex issues ofour time. The book offers a rich interplay of analysis, theory, andproposals for action from two educators and writers who havecontributed to developing the field of integrative education overthe past few decades.* Presents Parker Palmer's powerful response to critics ofholistic learning and Arthur Zajonc's elucidation of therelationship between science, the humanities, and the contemplativetraditions* Explores ways to take steps toward making colleges anduniversities places that awaken the deepest potential in studentsfaculty, and staff* Offers a practical approach to fostering renewal in highereducation through collegiality and conversationThe Heart of Higher Education is for all who are new tothe field of holistic education, all who want to deepen theirunderstanding of its challenges, and all who want to practice andpromote this vital approach to teaching and learning on theircampuses.

Foreword vMark NepoGratitudes xiiiThe Authors xvIntroduction 11 Toward a Philosophy of Integrative Education 192 When Philosophy Is Put into Practice 353 Beyond the Divided Academic Life 534 Attending to Interconnection, Living the Lesson 775 Experience, Contemplation, and Transformation 1016 Transformative Conversations on Campus 125Afterword 151About the Appendices: Experiments in Integrative Education 155Appendix A In the Classroom 157Appendix B Beyond the Classroom 175Appendix C Administrative and Campuswide Initiatives 195Notes 217Index 229