ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the underlying assumptions and commitments of capstone courses and to outline their benefits and limitations as vehicles to encourage and demonstrate integrative learning. It also provides an overview of a series of case studies on capstone courses, demonstrating the ways in which such courses can be employed in the curriculum, and how they facilitate integrative learning. Capstone courses are adaptable and flexible in design and have the capacity to be tailored to the needs of individual programs. The chapter demonstrates the variety of ways by which capstone courses can be employed to integrate learning across programs of study. The chapter examines their operation in diverse disciplines such as engineering, law, philosophy, business, pharmacy, biology, psychology, social work, history, and nursing. Capstone courses can take many forms-seminars, fieldwork, lectures, case studies, internships, international work or study, problem-based learning, reflection activities, and service learning. These varying forms can be used to draw out different aspects of integrative learning.
