WORKING DRAFT OF NEW GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

                       1.Students develop skills that are essential for continued learning. This includes learning to
              effectively:

                                a. Interpret and create a wide variety of documents, media, and other modes of communication;

                                b. Interpret and create oral presentations;

                                c. Use communication technology effectively;

                                d. Interpret and create quantitative information using the logic of mathematics;

                                e. Comprehend the scientific method;

                                f. Participate in discussions providing logical arguments and recognizing dissenting views;

                                g. Manage one's own learning by developing strategies such as goal-setting, time management
                        note-taking, test-taking, active listening, and reading with comprehension.

                                h. Participate in team and collaborative learning projects.

                           2.Students develop an ability to use modes of inquiry to master content across a variety
                  odisciplines.  This includes learning to effectively:

                                a. Ask questions in an effort to reason through complex issues and problems;

                                b. Analyze and evaluate claims, theories and systems, based on explicit rational criteria;

                                c. Locate, critically evaluate, and synthesize material from a wide range of media;

                                d. Locate, critically evaluate, and synthesize quantitative information;

                                e. Use writing as tool for critical thinking, critiquing, and creating meaning;

                                f. Use other modes of communication as tools for critical thinking, critiquing, and creating

                                    meaning;

                                g. Apply the scientific method;

                                h. Employ current relevant technologies in the pursuit of knowledge;

                                i.  Explore content, approaches and applications of different disciplines.

                               a. Demonstrate the ability to synthesize content from tow or more disciplines;

                               b. Present an analysis of an issue informed by approaches or methods from two or more
                                   disciplines.

                               c. Clarify a problem in the student's major through the lens of another discipline;

                               d. Apply multiple perspectives and demonstrate that their use together creates a stronger
                       argument;

                               e. Understand key commonalities and differences in the ways disciplines look at data, scholarly
                       claims and the rules of scholarly debates;

                               f.  Explore how scientific ideas and paradigms have influenced research and social practice;

                               g. Explore the course and implications of scientific and technological change in the context of
                       various disciplines;

                               h. Understand the evolution of human civilizations from different disciplinary and cultural
                       perspectives;
                    i. Appreciate the intellectual and emotional contributions and insights of the fine and
                       performing arts;

                               j. Understand the relationships between physical, intellectual, social and emotional well-being.

                          4. Students improve their understanding and practice of social responsibility and engaged
                  citizenship.  This includes learning to:

                               a. Understand and acknowledge the impact of life choices on personal, social and environmental

                                   health;
                   b. Understand and respond to ethical dilemmas facing individuals, groups, and communities;

                               c. Understand and appreciate the diversities of practices, values, and beliefs that surround ethical
                        issues;

                               d. Develop and examine strategies by which social and ethical dilemmas may be resolved;

                               e. Confront the personal implications and responsibilities for creating ethical and safe
                       environments-in the classroom, the work setting, the community and the world;

                               f.  Articulate the values, foundations, and responsibilities of democratic society;

                               g. Value individual and social diversities in the local, national, and global communities;

                               h. Develop the capacity to adapt to life challenges and to foster positive growth and development
                        in both self and others;

                                i. Facilitate and respond appropriately as a member of team and collaborative learning projects.

                        Approved by the General Education Committee January 10, 2002