How can various department help each other
Just because a student is taking a certain subject or getting a degree in ie Art that doesn't mean they will get everything they need from the art department.
How about general ed dept. The math or English dept. etc. They will all have something that the student can use in there everyday life to make doing things easier.
You may be an Art student but you'll need to know how to use a computer to do research and find everyday needs. How about the business dept.?
You'll need to know how to protect your money when you become a famous artist.
I think communication with one another may or can help avoid conflict and confusion between staff, faculty, and students.
I teach a general education class in a technical school focusing on the medical fields. I ask the first day of class "How many of you asked yourself why am I taking this course?" I have a few students laugh and some raise their hands. I tell them from the very beginning this class will apply to their everyday lives more then they think. Throughout the semester, I attempt to apply each concept to something in each of their chosen fields.
As a final project, they have to write a 2-3 page paper choosing three concepts we have covered in class and how it relates to their professional, academic, or personal life. Students find that most of the concepts we have discussed relate more then they imagined!
If you know what is expected in other classes, make sure that that matterial does not conflict.
Lauren--
Excellent point! In fact, most students struggle more with the classes not related to their major (usually the general education coursework). They don't see it as 'practical'. This is a huge challenge for faculty teaching those classes, but showing them how they will use that every day...at work and personally...goes a long way.
Susan
