"Alive at the Core is a title that says it all: the humanities core is back from the dead. Indeed, it is vibrant at increasing numbers of institutions that take seriously—and not just as a cliche—what it means to prepare students for 'living in the twenty-first century.' Those who are forward-thinking will find thoughtful assessments of the most successful programs today." —Jeffrey Wallin, president, The American Academy for Liberal Education

"Liberal education assures the well-being of society by providing both historical perspective and the mental agility required to navigate change. This heartening book shows a range of ways by which leading colleges and universities are meeting this critical challenge." —Susan Ford Wiltshire, professor and chair, Classical Studies, Vanderbilt University

"Nelson has put together a challenging, compelling, forthright, and, at times, moving collection that explores the core curriculum, humanities programs, and foundation programs at colleges and universities that remain dedicated to offering students a comprehensive grounding in a serious course of reading. Various rationales are explored; histories of programs assayed; future prospects considered. Alive at the Core means not so much to reassure as to challenge and to remind us of what is vital, alive, and well as institutions of higher learning rise to meet the challenges of providing excellence in general education." —Jean Bethke Elshtain, The Laura Spelman Rockefeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics, The University of Chicago