Working Definitions of Major and General Education Objectives
Major Objectives
Critical Reasoning, Information Literacy and Student Engagement are represented in the large circle and will be assessed through the individual major. Faculty within each major area will need to identify which courses primarily fulfill one of the objectives for identification in assessment.
Critical Reasoning:
Definition:
Students will develop a composition of knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be able to recognize the existence of problems and to facilitate problem solving.
Information Literacy:
Definition:
Students will develop a set of abilities to recognize when information is needed and be able to locate, collect, evaluate, and effectively and ethically use the information.
Student Engagement:
Definition:
Students will develop active learning through social, co-curricular and academic involvement within the college community.
General Education Objectives
Each of the objectives below represents the four smaller circles of the Intellectual Experience. Courses specifically identified for each objective have been identified via the General Education section of the catalog. Writing intensive courses have been identified as well.
Oral, Written and Creative Expression
Students will develop a set of skills and abilities used to organize and communicate information in a clear, concise, and imaginative manner.
Written courses: ENG 111, 112 , ANT 345, ART 314, 341, ATH 404, BIO 410, 460B, 461B, CHE 493A, 493B, CSI 295, 369, 435, EDU 404, 430, ENG 212, 220-229, 290, 320-329, 360, 390, 490, HIS 309, 311, 312, 313, 314, 321, 322, 327, 328, 358, 410, MUS 364, 365, 366, 435, 445, NSG 301, 470, PHI 325, 331, 332, 333, 334, 336, 345, 363, 364, 380-389, 390, 391, PED 348, 403, PSI 300, 301, 311, 313, 331, 470, 480, 490, PSY 330, 404, 470, REL 312, 330, 332, 490, SOC 295, 400, 410, SPC 252, 351
Oral courses: SPC 100, 210, 220, 310, 391
Creative courses: any ART, MUS, THE, FA except education methods courses, THE 215, 250 and MUS 210. Also available are ENG 205, 206, 305, 306.
Awareness of Diverse Individuals and Cultures
Definition:
Students will develop an appreciation of human and cultural differences through a deeper understanding of the world they inhabit.
Cross Cultural courses: ANT 149, 305, 345, ENG 253, 309, 310, FRE 351, 380-389, GER 351, 380-389, HIS 161, 162, 163, 241, 242, 343, 363, MGT 340, MKT 340, MUST 265, NSG 345, PSI 202, 402, REL 320, SPA 351 380-389.
Analytical Reasoning and Scientific Exploration
Definition:
Students will develop basic analytical skills that relate to solving mathematical problems and conducting scientific exploration. Students will also develop competencies to master software tools necessary in their personal and professional growth.
Mathematical courses: any 3 credit MTH at the level of MTH 142 or higher.
Computer courses: CSI 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 120, 121, EDU 115
Science and Nature courses: any courses from BIO, CHE, ES or PHY.
Personal, Social and Civic Understanding
Definition:
Students will develop a recognition of the importance of responsible personal behavior and ethical judgment in a democratic society including intellectual honesty; responsibility for society’s moral health and for social justice; active participation as a citizen of a diverse democracy; discernment of the ethical consequences of decisions and actions; and understanding of one’s self and respect for the complex identities of others, their histories, and their cultures.
Courses: CSI 369, ECO 211, MGT 424, MKT 424, NSG 385, 405, PHI 206, PHI 332, 390, 391, PSI 101, 102, PSY 153, REL 205, 335, SOC 150.
Additional Experiences:
The faculty has expressed a strong desire to institute a major capstone experience for each major. Below is a sample definition as well as common items that each student regardless of major should accomplish. An assessment rubric will need to be developed for the capstone experience.
Capstone Experience in major field(s):
Definition:
Experiences in which the student actively demonstrates and is assessed for his or her cumulative accomplishments in critical reasoning, information literacy and student engagement. The capstone should be conceived as both a culminating integrative experience and as the centerpiece of the effort to assess student learning.
Minimum Capstone Requirements:
· Original research/creative work presented in appropriate form
OR
· Major product or artifact
OR
· A historical perspective of the student’s work
· Public presentation
· Evaluation by faculty within and outside of major
· Peer Evaluation
· Capstone or major portfolio