The Bologna Process: A quick review

• The Bologna Process is primarily designed to construct a European Higher Education Area, thereby promoting the mobility of students, staff and researchers.

• In order to promote mobility across the EHEA, there needs to be shared quality assurance methods, credit and degree cycle systems, and communication methods

• Key documents to this communication include: – Diploma supplements– Learning agreements (degree plans)

What we discussed previously• Credit system: ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation

System )• Need for institutions to have autonomy to define and control content

and methods of operation• Need for institutions to have internal and external quality assurance

methods• Purpose of diploma supplement• Role of mission statements• Purpose of course descriptions• Purpose of syllabi• Degree programs may consist of required and elective courses

Homework• At our last session, I asked you to work on

two things as homework:– Mission statements– Curriculum development -> What process can

ensure quality and faculty involvement in curriculum development?

• Let’s discuss your work

This week’s agenda• Gain better understanding of curriculum development

process and learning agreements– How is curriculum constructed?– What is the role of these learning agreements?– What information should they include?– How should they be constructed?– What role should teaching faculty play?

• Construct model (example) learning agreements for departments that detail– What students will learn– The courses by which students will learn this knowledge– The distribution of credits relevant to these courses

Getting started• Examples:

– 1st cycle degree in Agricultural Systems Management

– 1st cycle degree in Environmental Chemistry

• Elements of both– Major areas of knowledge– Minor areas of knowledge– Corresponding required and elective courses