1. Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Natural World <p>Students will demonstrate breadth and integration of knowledge through:</p> <ol> <li>Exploration of enduring issues, questions, and problems of human experience across the core areas of knowledge, including engagement with: <ul> <li>Fine and performing arts</li> <li>Natural sciences and mathematics</li> <li>Cultural, social, and humanistic studies</li> <li>Global Issues and challenges, both historical and contemporary</li> </ul> </li> <li>Ability to contextualize knowledge through various disciplinary approaches</li> <li>Capacity to apply learning and think in interdisciplinary and integrative ways about the complexity and interconnectedness of the world</li> </ol> <p><em>Rationale: A broad knowledge of human cultures and of the natural world provides students with a solid foundation to be successful in their major and as informed members of society.&nbsp; In all fields of study, the exposure to multiple perspectives, historical context, and contemporary debates helps prepare students to engage with the &ldquo;big questions&rdquo; that face our world today.</em></p> Arrow 2. Critical and Creative Thinking <p>Students will demonstrate their critical and creative thinking by the ability to:</p> <ol> <li>Explain and analyze relevant ideas, arguments, and problems</li> <li>Evaluate the quality of ideas, evidence, materials, and arguments using appropriate criteria</li> <li>Recognize and engage multiple perspectives and alternatives</li> <li>Draw conclusions from complex information</li> <li>Synthesize existing information to produce new insights or approaches</li> <li>Craft logical and persuasive arguments supported by relevant and compelling evidence</li> <li>Design, evaluate, and implement strategies to solve problems or answer open-ended questions</li> </ol> <p><em>Rationale: Thinking critically and creatively means the ability to analyze and evaluate complex information and to come up with new ideas and solutions to pressing problems. In an information-rich world, students need to be able to make informed decisions and develop arguments, based on relevant evidence from a variety of different sources and perspectives. Critical and creative thinking helps students develop their own perspectives in both their personal and professional lives.</em></p> Arrow 3. Effective Communication Skills <p>Students will demonstrate their communication skills by the ability to:</p> <ol> <li>Read and listen closely and critically to interpret, analyze and evaluate written texts, images, speech, performances and multimedia communications</li> <li>Communicate in a focused, coherent, and organized manner with appropriate attention to audience, purpose and context</li> <li>Write effective analytical, reflective and expository essays and research papers</li> <li>Speak effectively in public, small group, and interpersonal settings</li> <li>Use clear and precise language as well as appropriate conventions, tools, and technology</li> <li>Implement the process of drafting, revising and editing</li> </ol> <p><em>Rationale: Strong communication skills, both speaking and writing to a variety of audiences and across a range of media and contexts, contribute to success in and out of the classroom.&nbsp; In addition, critical reading and listening skills are also key components in developing effective communication skills. &nbsp;</em></p> Arrow 4. Information Literacy <p>Students will demonstrate their information literacy by the ability to:</p> <ol> <li>Identify and articulate information needs by precisely defining a question, topic of inquiry or problem</li> <li>Select appropriate resources for finding information and formulate effective search strategies</li> <li>Critically evaluate, analyze and integrate relevant sources using appropriate criteria</li> <li>Use and cite information sources correctly and ethically</li> <li>Choose and effectively use appropriate tools and technologies for these tasks</li> </ol> <p><em>Rationale: Information literacy refers to the ability to determine what information is necessary for a particular purpose, and to the skills needed to gather, evaluate, understand, and use that information ethically and effectively.&nbsp; Information may take a variety of forms and media, including textual, visual, and quantitative.&nbsp; In an environment of proliferating and diverse information, information literacy skills help students make informed choices in their personal, professional, and academic lives.</em></p> Arrow 5. Quantitative Reasoning <p>Students will demonstrate their quantitative reasoning by the ability to:</p> <ol> <li>Explain information presented in mathematical forms (e.g., equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, words)</li> <li>Convert relevant information into various mathematical forms (e.g., equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, words)</li> <li>Efficiently and accurately carry out calculations to solve problems using appropriate tools and technology</li> <li>Make judgments and draw appropriate conclusions based on the quantitative analysis of data</li> <li>Support arguments with quantitative information in narrative and other appropriate forms</li> </ol> <p><em>Rationale: Quantitative reasoning refers to the use of numbers and measurable data to understand and interpret the world.&nbsp; But quantitative reasoning encompasses much more than simply mathematics and calculation skills.&nbsp; It reflects a habit of mind and a range of capacities that can explain, interpret, evaluate, and communicate quantitative information.&nbsp; Students need to be able to use quantitative reasoning skills to solve problems from a variety of domains and in everyday life.</em></p> Arrow 6. Personal and Civic Responsibility <p>Students will demonstrate their personal and civic responsibility through:</p> <ol> <li>Self-awareness <ul> <li>Recognize and examine their own values, perspectives and biases</li> <li>Understand their own roles and responsibilities as members of multiple diverse communities</li> <li>Understand the impact of their own actions on the community, the environment, and the world</li> </ul> </li> <li>Understanding of others <ul> <li>Understand the cultures and diversity of the United States and other countries, both historical and contemporary</li> <li>Recognize the existence and impact of discrepancies in power, privilege and access between individuals, groups and societies</li> <li>Articulate and respect the multiple perspectives that arise from differing experiences</li> </ul> </li> <li>Responsible action <ul> <li>Interact effectively and conscientiously with diverse people in diverse contexts including in campus, professional, and community settings</li> <li>Make informed ethical decisions that respect the social and environmental contexts</li> </ul> </li> </ol> <p><em>Rationale: Personal and civic responsibility refers to skills and knowledge that help students take their place in a multi-cultural and always-changing world.&nbsp; To become informed, engaged, reflective, and responsible citizens, students need to engage with a range of ethical questions, from social issues to environmental concerns.&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p> Arrow 7. Foundations for life-long learning including personal health and well-being <p>Students will demonstrate foundations for life-long learning by the ability to:&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>Implement strategies and skills needed for collaborative and self-directed learning</li> <li>Monitor and reflect on their own learning</li> <li>Integrate, transfer and apply learning in new contexts</li> <li>Recognize and apply the factors and habits that are essential for personal health and well-being</li> </ol> <p><em>Rationale: Learning is a never-ending process that requires curiosity and openness to learning.&nbsp; By cultivating a set of skills and dispositions associated with life-long learning, students will be able to adapt, monitor and direct their own growth and well-being throughout college and beyond.</em></p> Arrow