Anatomy of curriculum: Digging to the core

• Published in: Anatomical sciences education Vol. 7; no. 4; pp. 326 - 328
• Main Author: Berman, Anthony C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.07.2014; Wiley-Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Anatomy; Anatomy - education; core curriculum; core syllabus; Course Descriptions; Curriculum - standards; Curriculum - trends; Curriculum Development; Democracy; Education, Medical - standards; Education, Medical - trends; Educational Environment; Educational Measurement; gross anatomy education; Humans; Instructional Effectiveness; medical education; Program Development; Rating Scales; Science Curriculum; Science Instruction; undergraduate education; United States; United States; curriculum development; undergraduate education; core syllabus; medical education; core curriculum; gross anatomy education
• ISSN: 1935-9772; 1935-9780
• DOI: 10.1002/ase.1474

This viewpoint commentary, written from the perspective of a teacher who has helped to educate students in a wide variety of educational environments, is a reaction to the article published in Anatomical Sciences Education on developing of core syllabuses for the anatomical sciences. After reflecting on the definitions of both curriculum and syllabus and their importance as roadmaps for effective instruction, the value of core knowledge and core syllabuses in anatomical sciences was explored. Encouragement for the pursuit of the project proposed in the original article was provided; however, the reminder to not allow any curriculum or syllabus to prevent instructional flexibility was emphasized. Several constructive questions (regarding democracy in curriculum development, the proposed rating scale, and the desirability of reaching local or national consensus before seeking global agreement) were advanced for consideration. Anat Sci Educ 7 326–328. © 2014 American Association of Anatomists.