Core Curriculum General Education Requirements

I. Scientific Literacy

Goal: To develop an understanding of the basic concepts of science. To increase the students’ appreciation for the principles and limitations of the scientific method as a tool for seeking truth and to help them form opinions and make sound decisions in their daily lives.

Students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between humans and their environment, both on this planet and in the larger cosmos.
2. Demonstrate an ability to make measurements, analyze, interpret and draw conclusions from data and an appreciation for the essences of scientific inquiry and the scientific enterprise.

II. Aesthetics/Cultural Literacy

Goal: To provide a background in the liberal arts, which will foster an appreciation of our cultural heritage. To develop aesthetic appreciation through the study of the work of major artists.

II.A: Fine Arts

Goal: To develop a life-long interest and respect for the arts based on a critical understanding of the visual arts and music and an appreciation of their role within society.

Students will be able to:

1. Identify the region’s most important cultural institutions (i.e. concert halls, museums)
2. Demonstrate an awareness of great achievements in the arts and an understanding of their historical and social context
3. Appreciate the breadth and variety of works in the arts
4. Articulate a critical response to works of art and music based on a knowledge of important genres, styles, techniques
5. Perform in a musical ensemble, create works of art, or engage in the process of interpreting works of art

II.B: Literature

Goal: To develop an appreciation of our cultural heritage and aesthetic values as expressed in our literature.

Students will be able to:

1. Understand a broad spectrum of literary works in their historical and social contexts
2. Appreciate literature as an expression of diverse human values
3. Develop the skills necessary to respond critically and personally to selected literary works

III. Oral Communication

Goal: To develop skills necessary to communicate effectively in a variety of professional and academic settings. To gain experience that will allow the student to be confident in his/her ability to communicate orally.

Students will be able to:

1. Successfully present manuscripts, and memorized, impromptu, and extemporaneous speeches
2. Effectively organize a speech incorporating an introduction, body, conclusion, and transitional materials within a specified time frame
3. Construct logical and coherent arguments, gaining and synthesizing research to support opinions
4. Employ accurate grammar, syntax, and word usage demonstrating a fluency in the English language which is appropriate to professional and academic settings
5. Listen critically and formulate reasoned responses to speeches by others
6. Exhibit an audience awareness that allows the speaker to connect in a manner that conveys urgency and personal enthusiasm for the subject

IV. Written Communication

Goal: To communicate effectively in written language and to think critically.

Students will be able to:

1. Engage in critical thinking, reading, and writing
2. Generate essay ideas, create outlines, and organize writing
3. Prepare rough copies, final drafts, and revisions of writing assignments
4. Research sources in the library, computer databases, and the Internet
5. Understand and implement the guidelines for documenting sources, compiling annotated bibliographies, summarizing source material, and incorporating sources in writing assignments
6. Write expository, argumentative, and analytical essays and research papers

V. Mathematical Literacy

Goal: To increase students’ knowledge of mathematical modes of thinking; to develop students’ skills in applying these mathematical modes of thinking to real world problems; to increase students’ appreciation for the breadth of mathematical application, and to help students apply mathematics and/or statistics to help them to make decisions in their careers and their lives.

Students will be able to:

1. Translate real world problems into mathematical models
2. Use basic mathematical skills (algebraic, logical, estimation and/or graphical) to solve these problems
3. Interpret these solutions in real world terms
4. Recognize the validity or invalidity of their conclusions in real world contexts
5. Clearly communicate their solutions to others

VI. Computer Literacy

Goal: To familiarize students with the fundamentals of basic computer hardware and software and the hands-on use of career-oriented application packages.

Students will be able to:

1. Understand the features of computers and their role in information technology
2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of basic computer applications
3. Create, access, organize, and communicate information using computer technology
4. Understand how to make informed choices in the use of computer technology
5. Use computer technology ethically and responsibly

VII. Social Science

Goal: To gain an understanding of theories, interpretations, and content related to social relations, human thought, social organization, and response and change.

VII.A: Social Awareness

Goal: To assess and explore the implications of communal and social differences and their interconnections with action and living an informed life.

Students will be able to:

1. Appreciate individual and group differences, emphasizing the dynamics of race, gender, culture, sexual orientation, age, class, and/or disabilities
2. Analyze and evaluate attitudes, behaviors, concepts, and beliefs regarding diversity and prejudice
3. Use, critique, and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues and problems

VII.B: Social Science

Goal: To appreciate and evaluate how social scientists describe and explain the behavior and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas.

Students will be able to:

1. Employ the methods and data that scholars use to investigate the human condition
2. Examine social institutions and processes across a range of times and cultures
3. Respond critically to social and behavioral theories
4. Understand key fundamental concepts, like justice and liberty, and be able to apply them to specific issues

VIII. Humanities

Goal: To engage in critical analysis to develop perspectives on the past and a meaningful understanding of the present. Students will develop an appreciation of these disciplines as fundamental to the health and survival of this increasingly global society.

Students will be able to:

1. Develop awareness for globalization and an ability to apply a comparative perspective to cross-cultural social, economic, and political experiences
2. Recognize the diversity of global political motivations and interests
3. Using primary and secondary sources, analyze, describe, and evaluate economic, social, religious, and cultural factors that influence international relations
4. Understand the roles and responsibilities associated with being a “world citizen”
5. Gain exposure to varied schools of thought to facilitate greater understanding of historical issues
6. Enhance communication and writing skills through group discussion, argumentative essays, oral reports, and research papers

IX. Health and Well-Being

Goal: To expand students’ knowledge of the human condition including how their bodies work, are cared for, and fueled, in order to lead a healthy life.

Students will be able to:

1. Engage in an activity which is designed to develop a level of fitness which will enable them to function at peak efficiency
2. Understand the importance of physical fitness and its carry-over values in life
3. Critically discern and analyze individual dimensions of health
4. Interact with others in a specific physical activity

X. Information Literacy

Goal: To access all forms of print and electronic information effectively and efficiently and use these resources across all curriculums

Students will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate information for its appropriateness and reliability
2. Understand the ethical issues surrounding the use of information
3. Be familiar with the specialized resources for the respective majors

XI. Critical Thinking

Goals: To develop students’ critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills; to increase students’ ability to apply these skills to problems in various academic disciplines and in their personal lives, and to empower students to benefit fully from interrelationships between the disciplines.

Students will be able to:

1. Gather and organize information of various kinds, employing formal or informal tools to represent information in useful ways
2. Organize their thoughts
3. Weigh evidence for and against hypotheses
4. Recognize, construct and evaluate arguments to support points of view
5. Make informed decisions based on the merits of their choices
6. Apply appropriate critical and evaluative principles to texts, documents or works (their own and others’) in various mediums