The Curriculum in Bachelor of Arts Program in Thai: Reality and Possibilities

Abstract

This study explores the Beachelor of Arts in Thai curriculum, Thammasat University, by comparing the 2004 and 2009 versions with curricula of other institutions. It also surveys the attitues of lecturers, students, employers and scholars towards the curriculum. The result show that students, while being satisfied with the emphasis on practical sides, suggest more provision of professional grounding, integration of knowledge and up-to-date and assorted teaching materials. Lecturers expected graduates to be strong academically, morally and emotionally; priority should be given to strong academic ability while not putting aside the professional and application abilities for futher careers. Employers expected graduates to have knowledge, sagacity, skills for technologies, integration across disciplines, public consciousness and collaboration at work.

The content fo the previous and current curricula give much emphasis on language and literature while the aptitude-based, practical-based and professional-based subjects are still less accentuated, which share bote similarities and differences with other institutions. The trend of the new Thai curricula focuses more on professional development and an integration of knowledge.

Regarding the policy, the Thai department aims to develop the Bachelor of Arts Programe in Thai according to the Education Act and the National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education and to correspond with the education trends, which focus on an outcome-based curriculum.