The Bard College Institute for Writing & Thinking (IWT), following the concept of Liberal Arts Education, helps students and faculty develop the abilities of concentration, productive thinking, and creativity in order to be an active and responsible member of society.
Their focus on writing-based learning, experiential learning, and student-centered teaching shifts the spotlight from passive memorization to active, self-driven engagement. By encouraging students to think critically, ask meaningful questions, and connect ideas in different ways, IWT is essentially empowering them to build a more active relationship with their learning.
It’s fascinating that the methodology also considers the psychological aspect of education. When students write freely—perhaps without the pressure of grades or assessments—they are able to access deeper layers of their thoughts and emotions. For someone who’s lost faith in their ability to succeed or grow, this process can help them rediscover their confidence and sense of self-worth. That’s a powerful, therapeutic side to learning that’s often overlooked in traditional educational settings.
A special project, The Center for Liberal Arts and Sciences Pedagogy (CLASP) https://iwtclasp.bard.edu/fellows/, was developed by the Bard College Institute for Writing & Thinking specifically for faculty and administrators who are based at Open Society University Network (OSUN) partner institutions and demonstrate a commitment to writing-based, student-centered pedagogies, exploring Writing to Learn and Writing Across the Curriculum practices.
Liliana Tymchenko, Associate Professor in the Academic Department of Social Sciences, as a Fellow of the CLASP Program, has been studying this methodology in detail for the second year. From January 12 to 18, 2025, at the premises of Bard College Berlin, a group of CLASP Program participants began preparing the capstone project, which involves the development of a unique teaching methodology for their disciplines. Liliana focused on developing a methodology for successfully mastering legal terminology.