| As a result of two grants from the U.S. Department of
Education's Fund
for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE),
the accounting department at California State University,
Chico completely reengineered its two introductory
undergraduate accounting courses and disseminated the
model of six other colleges and universities across the
U.S. The goals of the revised Introduction to Accounting
I and Accounting II courses have been to (1) introduce
students to decision-making processes involving
financial data, (2) bring about accounting literacy,
and (3) develop students' problem-solving skills.
The strategy has moved away from the traditional
rule-based, procedure-oriented mode to a more dynamic,
interactive learning mode. The new mode views the
learner/practitioner as an active information processor
who uses data, exercises judgements, evaluates risk, and
solves real-world problems. This CSU, Chico website explains the process of curricular revision in these two foundation business courses, and describes the motivation for change, obstacles faced, resources obtained and put in place, structure of new courses, linkage of the resulting product to the institutional mission, outcomes assessment, and reaction of stakeholders. The site concludes with recommendations and advice to other institutions and faculty who are considering program and curriculum revision.
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