The QEP began with the goals of supporting a Christian worldview and improving students’ abilities to think critically. To date, the QEP taskforce has met those goals by developing and implementing LAR 2514 Christ-Centered Critical Thinking, defining critical thinking, and taking steps to integrate faith and learning.

The Center for Teaching Excellence in cooperation with the QEP Taskforce introduced a bold initiative at the recent Lunch and Learn – to establish a community whose thinking is powered by Christ and that promotes critical thinking across the disciplines at Shorter University. We asked questions such as: “To what extent do the various academic disciplines at Shorter University share common critical thinking principles and goals?” “How can the basic concepts of critical thinking be integrated and/or made more explicit in our respective disciplines?” “How do we move from critical thinking to wisdom?” Both students and faculty in attendance affirmed past efforts while offering suggestions for improvement and future accomplishments.

Achievement of these goals will involve reflecting on current practices with an eye toward improving the quality of learning, engaging together in activities aimed toward accomplishing shared goals, and redesigning our practices to foster critical thinking at the general education and discipline-specific levels. Questions remain concerning the meanings of Christian worldview and the integration of faith and learning. These questions will be the topic of our next Lunch and Learn scheduled for April 11, 2016.