The University of Iowa’s CLAS Core general education curriculum provides students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for the careers of the future. And while the CLAS Core has immense value for our students, we also believe it is important to regularly review and assess the curriculum to enhance the student learning experience. 

During the 2024-25 academic year, a committee composed of faculty from the English department and other departments in CLAS, as well as two academic advisors, worked on assessing the Interpretation of Literature area of the CLAS Core. The committee gathered information from students, Interpretation of Literature instructors, and faculty and staff from around the university. They synthesized this information in a final report that included several recommendations for updating the curriculum for the Interpretation of Literature area. The final report and a short handout summarizing its findings and recommendations are now available to the public on the CLAS assessment web site. The short handout, which is especially aimed at faculty, also explains the transferable skills gained by students in Interpretation of Literature courses. 

Key findings from the assessment include:

• Students in Interpretation of Literature classes develop interpretation, analysis, and critical thinking skills that help prepare them for later coursework and lifelong learning
• Students who take Interpretation of Literature courses should be able to effectively express their critical analysis of a text through clear, organized writing
• Students benefit from, and learn how to foster, supportive and inclusive communities that offer a basis for forming friendships and a sense of belonging on a large campus
• Ongoing challenges include declining student reading skills as a result of digital technology and other factors, student use of AI in place of reading and to assist with writing, and inconsistencies in the student learning experience across different course sections.

In response to issues that emerged during the assessment, the committee made several recommendations:

• Beginning in Fall 2025, the learning outcomes of the Interpretation of Literature area have been simplified and revised to better reflect the goals of the general education category
• The revised learning outcomes will be prioritized when designing new course sections and in the pedagogical training for Interpretation of Literature instructors in the English Department
• Instructors will have the option of including a creative writing assignment as part of the course curriculum
• The Director of General Education Literature in the English Department will better coordinate with instructors of Interpretation of Literature courses in other departments.

For more information on the findings of the assessment and on the revisions to the Interpretation of Literature learning outcomes, see the linked full report or the short handout. For more information on the Interpretation of Literature assessment, or on the assessment of the CLAS Core more generally, please contact Dr. Matthew Shadle.