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St. Ambrose University Signature General Education Program.
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St. Ambrose University Signature General Education Program “In all people there lies, in accordance with human nature, a desire to search out the truth which leads us on to have a longing for knowledge and learning and infuses into us a wish to seek after it. To excel in this seems a noble thing.” Ambrose of Milan, de OfficiisI.26.125 Created by: James Hinderks for General Education Committee
Table of Contents Outcomes of A “Signature” Education Summary of The Vision Revised General Education and Our University Sample of “Planned” General Education Program
Summary of The Vision #1 #2 #3 Through Revised General Education St. Ambrose Graduates Will… Develop and possess fundamental skills and knowledge rooted in the Liberal Arts and Catholic Intellectual Tradition needed to flourish in a rapidly changing world. Communicate effectively both in writing and orally and will have been introduced to a second language. Possess a general understanding of the disciplines of the Liberal Arts, including Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Creative Arts, and Humanities. They will be heirs to culture… As members of a Diocesan university, be able to reflect critically on core truth claims, as well as ethical and spiritual values derived from Theology and Philosophy, especially those that emanate from the Catholic Intellectual Tradition Have cultivated the personal dispositions, or ‘habits’ (Latin habitus, meaning ‘virtue’) necessary for a rich intellectual life and overall physical wellness. #4 #5
Summary of The Vision continued All St. AmbroseGraduates Will… #6 Be able to continue to develop learning skills and knowledge both out of necessity and for pleasure. They will continue to explore the breadth and depth of the Liberal Arts and Catholic Intellectual Tradition as lifelong learners by reading, writing, speaking, researching, traveling, listening, creating, and engaging our world.
Revised General Education and Our University “Goal” of Revised General EDucation Mission of St. Ambrose University The revised General Education program—through the Liberal Arts and Catholic Intellectual Tradition—will enable graduates to shape for themselves a coherent, if always tentative, vision of the world by means of which they will enrich their own lives through enriching the lives of others. St. Ambrose University—independent, diocesan, and Catholic—enables its students to develop intellectually, spiritually, ethically, socially, artistically, and physically to enrich their own lives and the lives of others.
Outcome #1: Fundamental Skills and Knowledge • Develop fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to flourish in a rapidly changing world • Students will begin to address this outcome by completing the following: • Written Communication (ENGL 101 or English Comp through CLEP) • Oral Communication (COMM 129, 132, 203, 228, 329) • Quantitative Reasoning and Information Technology (MATH 171, STATS 213, QUANT 131, CSCI 281) • Health and Physical Education (KIN 149 and 1 activity or Samaritan Skills course) • Information Literacy Skills (IL 101) • Foreign Language Skills (Beginning Lang. 101 & 102 OR 1 intensive (103) OR 3 years of high school study OR 6 credit hours through CLEP OR earning ** on SAT OR earn appropriate score on Modern Lang. placement exam) • Completing Remainder of General Education curriculum
Outcome #2: Liberal Arts Perspectives • Develop competencies that produce Liberal Arts perspectives in order to engage culture. • Students will begin to address this outcome by completing the following: • Complete two Humanities courses • from two different departments other than Philosophy and Theology. • Complete one Creative Arts course of 2-3 credits. • Complete one Social Science course • Complete one Natural Science course
Outcome #3: Catholic Intellectual Tradition • Evaluate truth claims derived from Philosophy and Theology in order to scrutinize the relationship between faith and reason. • Students will begin to address this outcome by completing the following: • Complete one Philosophy course at the 100 or 200 level • Complete one Theology course at the 100 or 200 level • Complete two additional Philosophy, Theology, Justice & Peace, or Catholic Studies, with at least one course at the 300 level
Outcome #4: Integrative Learning • Critically explore complex issues using knowledge and skills from the Liberal Arts and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. • Students will begin to address this outcome by completing ONE of the following: • “Signature Integration Concentration” (12 credits) • Honors Program Level I (13 credits) • Interdisciplinary Minor (min. 15 credits) • Second Major inEconomics or and department in the College of Arts and Sciences
Fundamental Skills & Knowledge Liberal Arts Perspectives The knowledge and skills from the Liberal Arts and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition culminate into Integrated Learning. Catholic Intellectual Tradition Integrated Learning
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE CATHOLIC INTELLECTUAL TRADITION 100-200 level theology 100-200 level philosophy Two additional courses in theology & philosophy c o w r q t h g l d KEY: fundamental skills & knowledge:oral comm.Written comm.Research (IL)quant. Reasoning/Info. Tech.health2nd languagecritical thinkingteamwork,globalization,diversityliberal arts:HumanitiesSocial SciencesNatural Sciencescatholicintellectualtradition:PhilosophyTheology LIBERAL ARTS 2 humanities Social science Natural science INTEGRATED LEARNING SIC or IM or IIM with no additional credits
Step 1: present a scenario to demonstrate how multiple disciplines must be brought to bear in order to make good critical judgments concerning the underlying issues. • Try this formula: “In order to evaluate “X” you must first grasp the influence of “A,” “B,” and “C.” • E.G. to evaluate “Jihad” you must understand history, culture, religion, & language.
Step 2: Brainstorm meta-concepts, then each student will pick two that have appeal. Here are some suggestions derived from our Mission, Vision, Values, Outcomes and A&S Projects:
Step 3: discern how and which disciplines are represented within that concept: • Art, Astronomy, Biology, Catholic Studies, Classical Studies, Chemistry, Criminal Justice, Economics, English, Finance, Geography, German Studies, Geography, History, International Studies, Justice & Peace Studies, Kinesiology, Language, Literature, Management, Music, Natural Sciences, Organizational Leadership, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Physics, Sociology, Spanish, Theater, Theology, or Women’s Studies. • Also, what kind of deliberate, organized experiences might they engage in which would help their understanding? Activities, Activism, Internship, Service, Travel, Volunteerism.
Step 4: using Beeline, the course catalogue (pp. 21-23 of current ‘blue’ catalogue) and e-advising, which course titles look most interesting and relevant? • Read the course descriptions: does the course still seem applicable? Select your top choices and a couple of reasonable alternates, including experiential learning, if desired. Ascertain the availability and rotation of those courses and then construct a course of studies.
Step 5: Craft a statement of purpose: • briefly explain how the courses/experiential learning enhance one’s understanding of the topic. Indicate which and how General Education outcomes will be addressed. What is the outcome? i.e. by accomplishing what, I will demonstrate that I have understood and critically evaluated the integration among what?
Fundamental skills & knowledge Catholic Intellectual Tradition Liberal Arts Integrated Learning SIC or IM or IIM
Fundamental Skills and Knowledge Oral Comm. Written Comm. Quant. Reasoning Critical Thinking Teamwork Globalization Health and Fitness Research Foreign Lang.
Fundamental Skills & Knowledge Catholic Intellectual Tradition Liberal Arts Perspectives Critical Thinking Is Built Upon Again In All Courses! Arts THEO Social Science Natural Science PHIL Teamwork Leadership Theology, Philosophy, Justice & Peace or Catholic Studies (at least one 300 level Humanities Globalization Justice, Peace, Diversity, & Service