General Education

Develop and demonstrate effective uses of language. 

Develop mathematical and information literacy. 

Develop an understanding of the natural sciences and technology and their contributions to human culture 

Develop an understanding of human behavior, society and culture, with specific attention to technology, international perspectives and issues related to ethnicity, race and gender. 

Integrate knowledge at the advanced level. 

Requirement (credit hours) 

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) 

Upon completing these courses, students will be able to: 

Written Communication (6) 

100-LEVEL 

• Develop rhetorical knowledge 

• Develop critical thinking, reading, and information literacy skills 

• Develop transferable strategies for writing processes 

• Develop knowledge of writing conventions 

• Develop the rhetorical skills for reflection and future success 

200-LEVEL 

• Demonstrate rhetorical knowledge in the analysis and development of texts   

• Apply critical thinking, research, reading, and information literacy skills  

• Practice and integrate transferable strategies for writing processes 

• Further develop and exercise knowledge of linguistic, genre, and citation conventions  

• Explore rhetorical skills for advanced study and professional communication 

Oral Communication (3) 

• Relate the principles of oral communication to a variety of interpersonal, professional, and extemporaneous situations. 

• Analyze and adapt communication styles to diverse audiences and contexts. 

• Prepare, research, and organize the content of a message for a specific audience. 

• Use effective verbal and non-verbal language in conveying a message. 

• Apply listening skills to provide a critical analysis of interpersonal and professional messages. 

Mathematics (3) 

• Logical Reasoning: Students will be able to interpret sentences to contain the logical connectives "and," "or," "some," "all," and "none." They will be able to use deductive reasoning to draw conclusions from a series of statements and to identify appropriate generalizations or trends 

• Computational Skills: Students will develop facility in the language and symbols of mathematics and will be able to perform basic calculations and operations related to the application of mathematics or statistics. 

• Data Interpretation: Students will be able to read and interpret visual displays of quantitative information such as bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, pictographs, and tables. They will be able to use them to make predictions and draw inferences from the data. 

• Problem Solving: Students will be able to read a word problem, set up the necessary equations that describe the problem, solve these equations using basic quantitative techniques, and interpret or draw a conclusion from the solution. 

• Quantitative Modeling: Students will be able to model physical and natural phenomena and assess validity of a model, make predictions from the model, and draw conclusions based on the model. 

Language and Culture (6)  

Upon completing the lower division language and culture courses, students will be able to: 

• Interpret a language other than English through listening and reading 

• Apply a language other than English through speaking and writing 

• Distinguish the similarities and differences among cultures that are different from their own 

Information Literacy and Research (3) 

• Articulate and contextualize information needs, considering possible gaps in personal or existing knowledge and resources 

• Search strategically in systems appropriate to the information needs. 

• Demonstrate that research is an ongoing, non- linear process 

• Demonstrate an ability to evaluate and identify misinformation and disinformation and demonstrate an understanding of how they are circulated, perpetuated, challenged, and resisted. 

• Critically examine multiple sources of information on a topic to enhance understanding or critique arguments. 

• Demonstrate an understanding of ethical and legal practices to employ when using, creating, and sharing information in changing technological environments 

Requirement (credit hours) 

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) 

Upon completing these courses, students will be able to: 

Human Behavior (3)  

• Compare basic theories and models and identify their strengths and weaknesses 

• Define key disciplinary vocabulary and terms 

• Apply disciplinary concepts to professional, personal, and/or civic contexts 

• Describe approaches to the way data are collected, measured, and analyzed to address research questions and hypotheses 

• Explain how the social sciences have contributed to our understanding of human societies 

• Identify perspectives on the challenges, concerns, and contributions of diverse and/or marginalized groups 

Human Creativity (3)  

Upon completing the lower division human creativity course(s), students will be able to: 

• Identify a variety of historical and contemporary examples of creative expression. 

• Critically analyze the components of a work of art. 

• Write about aesthetic experiences utilizing terminology appropriate to the chosen discipline. 

• Critically assess traditions reflected in works outside of the classroom setting. 

• Explain the value, impact, and function of art in today's world. 

Interpreting the Past (3)  

• Learn how historians interpret major events, people, processes, and ideas from the past 

• Explain the importance of key historical concepts such as change and continuity over time, chronology, causation, historical context, and the difference between primary and secondary sources 

• Assess and analyze historical sources to construct an argument 

Literature (3)  

• Read literary texts from an eclectic selection of works written in a variety of genres and styles by writers who reflect diversity in race, gender, sexuality, class, region, religion, historical culture etc. 

• Interpret literary texts 

• Analyze literary texts 

• Evaluate and apply critical thinking to literary texts 

The Nature of Science (8)  

• Demonstrate their comprehension of a body of scientific knowledge 

• Recognize how scientific knowledge evolves based on observation of the natural world 

• Apply principles and techniques of scientific inquiry to solve problems 

• Evaluate the credibility of conclusions drawn from scientific foundations 

• Relate scientific concepts to everyday life 

Philosophy and Ethics (3)  

LOWER DIVISION 

• Explain major theories or concepts in one or more of the major areas of philosophy, e.g., metaphysics, epistemology, logic, or value theory 

• Use analytical tools, such as reflection, comparison, or argumentation, to engage in critical thinking 

UPPER DIVISION 

• Describe the differences between ethical and metaethical questions and concepts 

• Identify and evaluate theories about what constitutes ethically acceptable conduct and an ethically good character in diverse contexts 

• Identify and evaluate how ethical theories are applied in diverse contexts 

Impact of Technology (3) 

• Describe the use and development of a given technology within the context of a specified field 

• Describe the components, mechanisms, and function of a technological system 

• Analyze the potential impacts, both intended and unintended, of a given technology on individuals, society, or the environment 

• Interpret the cost and/or benefit of a given technology on individuals, society, or the environment 

Requirement (credit hours) 

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) 

Upon completing these courses, students will be able to: 

Writing Intensive Course in the Major (3) 

• Differentiate among data sources those that are pertinent and legitimate to the scholarship of the discipline 

• Produce discipline specific written communication reflecting scrutiny in content and free from mechanical errors 

• Execute the discourse conventions most commonly used in the student's major disciplines 

• Creatively adapt their writing process to the kinds of knowledge and the purposes most fundamental to their major disciplines  

Upper-Division Studies Outside the Major  

Complete one of the following:  

Option A: Any University-approved minor (minimum of 12 hours determined by the department), second degree, or second major  

Option B: Any University-approved interdisciplinary minor (specifically 12 hours, three of which may be in the major)  

Option C: Approved Certification Program such as Teaching Licensure  

Option D: Upper-Division Course Work from Another College Outside of and not Required by the Major