| SCU Core Curriculum
March 12, 2008 This page lists learning goals and objectives for each area of the Core curriculum. The learning objectives along with course assignments and activities that foster these learning objectives should be included in all syllabi for the new Core. Additional guidelines and criteria for courses in each area can be found on the Course Guidelines page. Critical Thinking & Writing 1 Critical Thinking & Writing 2 Cultures & Ideas 1 Cultures & Ideas 2 Second Language Mathematics Religion, Theology & Culture 1 Ethics Civic Engagement Diversity Arts Natural Science Social Science Religion, Theology & Culture 2 Cultures & Ideas 3 Science, Technology & Society Religion, Theology & Culture 3 Advanced Writing Experiential Learning Pathways
Critical Thinking & Writing 1 - Goals: Critical Thinking, Complexity, Communication
- Objectives – At the end of CTW 1, students will
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1.1 Read and write with a critical point of view
that displays depth of thought and is mindful
of the rhetorical situation. (Critical Thinking,
Complexity, Communication)
1.2 Write essays that contain well-supported,
arguable theses and that demonstrate
personal engagement and clear purpose.
(Critical Thinking, Communication; Meta-Goal:
Intentional Learning)
1.3 Reflect on and/or analyze the rhetorical
differences, both constraints and possibilities,
of different modes of presentation. (Critical
Thinking, Complexity; Meta-Goal: Intentional
Learning)
1.4 Reflect on the writing process as a mode of
thinking and learning that can be generalized
across a range of writing and thinking tasks.
(Critical Thinking, Complexity; Meta-Goal:
Intentional Learning) Back to top Critical Thinking & Writing 2 - Goals: Critical Thinking, Complexity Communication
- Objectives – At the end of CTW 2, students will
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2.1 Read and write with a critical point of view
that demonstrates greater depth of thought
and a more thorough understanding of the
rhetorical situation than in CTW 1. (Critical
Thinking, Complexity, Communication)
2.2 Write research-based essays that contain
well-supported arguable theses and that
demonstrate personal engagement and clear
purpose. (Critical Thinking, Complexity,
Communication; Meta-Goal: Intentional
Learning)
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2.3 Independently and deliberately locate, select,
and appropriately use and cite evidence that
is ample, credible, and smoothly integrated
into an intellectually honest argument.
(Complexity, Communication; Meta-Goal:
Information Literacy)
2.4 Analyze the rhetorical differences, both
constraints and possibilities, of different modes
of presentation. (Critical Thinking, Complexity;
Meta-Goal: Intentional Learning)
2.5 Reflect more deeply than in CTW 1 upon the
writing process as a mode of thinking and
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learning that can be generalized across a
range of writing and thinking tasks. (Critical
Thinking, Complexity; Meta-Goal: Intentional
Learning) Back to top Cultures & Ideas 1 - Goals: Global Cultures, Arts and Humanities, Critical Thinking; Perspective
- Objectives: At the end of C&I 1, students will:
1.1 Recall details relevant to the course theme
and historical context of the objects, texts,
ideas, issues, and/or events studied. (Global
Cultures, Arts and Humanities)
1.2 Identify significant elements of the cultures
examined. (Global Cultures, Arts and
Humanities)
1.3 Recognize the complexity of the cultures
examined. (Global Cultures, Arts and
Humanities)
1.4 Analyze and/or interpret significant objects,
texts, ideas, issues and/or events in their
historical contexts, using at least one
disciplinary method. (Critical Thinking).
1.5 Reflect on and examine both shared and
diverse human experiences so that they
recognize the similarities and differences
across cultures as well as historical periods.
They will comprehend the relevance of the
past to their understanding of the present
while coming to understand the perspective
of their own cultural assumptions and values.
(Perspective). Back to top Cultures & Ideas 2
- Goals: Global Cultures, Arts and Humanities, Critical Thinking, Perspective
- Objectives: At the end of C&I 2, students will:
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2.1 Make connections between the cultures and
objects, texts, ideas, issues, and/or events
examined in C & I 1 and 2. (Global Cultures,
Arts and Humanities)
2.2 Demonstrate increased understanding of the
complexity and/or larger contexts of the
cultures examined. (Global Cultures, Arts
and Humanities)
2.3 Question and/or evaluate the effects cultural
understanding has on the interpretation of the
objects, texts, ideas, issues, and/or events
central to the two courses. (Critical Thinking).
2.4 Question and evaluate both shared and diverse
human experiences so that they recognize
similarities and differences across cultures as
well as historical periods. They will
comprehend the relevance of the past to their
understanding of the present while coming to
understand the perspective of their own
cultural assumptions and values.
(Perspective). Back to top Second Language
- Goals: Communication, Perspective
- Objectives
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1.1 Students will demonstrate skill in the use
of the modern or classical language for
authentic communicative purposes, as
appropriate to the language.
(Communication)
1.2 Students will demonstrate an understanding
of the cultural products, practices, and
perspectives exhibited in the language
studied. (Perspective)
1.3 Students will demonstrate sensitivity to
cultural differences as afforded by the
language studied. (Perspective) Back to top Mathematics - Goals: Critical Thinking, Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning, Communication, Complexity
- Objectives: Students will:
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1.1 Demonstrate their problem solving skills,
including their ability to interpret problem
situations, choose among several potentially
appropriate mathematical methods of
solution, persist in the face of difficulty, and
present full and cogent solutions that include
appropriate justification for their reasoning.
1.2 Understand and be able to articulate the
differences between inductive and deductive
reasoning. In particular, students will
appreciate the role of mathematical proof in
formalizing deductive reasoning and as a
means of conveying mathematical knowledge,
and to understand the differences between
proofs and other less formal arguments.
1.3 Utilize and describe mathematical ideas from
multiple perspectives, including the internal
connections between geometry, algebra, and
numerical computation, as well as the
connections between theory and applications. -
This flexibility should be evident in students’
approach to problem solving as well as their
ability to communicate their solutions and
methods.
1.4 Demonstrate an understanding of
mathematical content (including the limits to
its application) that goes beyond mere
fluency in using mathematical symbols,
language and formulas. Back to top Religion, Theology & Culture 1
- Goals: Global Cultures, Critical Thinking, Complexity, Religious Reflection
- Objectives: Students will:
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1.1 Be able to describe and compare the central
religious ideas and practices from several
traditions or within one, and from at least two
globally distinct regions. (Knowledge of Global
Cultures; Complexity of content as well as
method; Ambiguity)
1.2 Be able to use critical approaches to reflect on
their own beliefs and the religious dimensions
of human existence. (Critical Thinking;
Complexity of Method; Reflection) Back to top Ethics - Goals: Arts & Humanities, Critical Thinking, Complexity, Ethical Reasoning
- Objectives: Students will:
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1.1 Be able to reason ethically by drawing on
major ethical theories and traditions,
(e.g. virtue ethics, feminist ethics,
deontological or consquentialist theories);
by normatively assessing individual,
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professional, and institutional decisions;
and by articulating their personal
engagement with the meaning of the right
and the good. (Arts & Humanities, Ethical
Reasoning, Critical Thinking)
1.2 Be able to analyze, critically evaluate, and
apply major ethical theories and traditions
to significant personal, professional, and
institutional decisions. As part of such efforts,
students will be able to articulate who they
understand some central ethical concepts
such as justice, happiness, the good, virtue,
dignity, rights, and equality. (Arts &
Humanities, Critical Thinking, Ethical
Reasoning)
1.3 Be able to demonstrate appreciation of nuance
and ambiguity, as well as clarity and precision,
in their thinking and writing about moral
problems, concepts, and ideals. (Critical
Thinking, Complexity)
1.4 Reflect on their own ethical decisions and
actions, on their roles as morally responsible
members of the human community, and on
what it means to be a good person. (Critical
Thinking, Complexity) Back to top Civic Engagement
- Goals: Civic Life, Collaboration, Civic Engagement, Communication
- Objectives: Students will:
1.1 Be able to critically evaluate, and express
reasoned opinions about, the role of public
organizations (governmental, non
governmental, multilateral, or international)
in civic life through both oral and written
work. (Civic Life,Communication)
1.2 Analyze and evaluate civic issues by engaging
in active and collaborative learning with peers
and others through one or more of the
following: a) Working cooperatively with
other students in class; b) Actual observation
and participation in the contemporary
ramifications of various types of civic life or
civic discourse; or c) Working with civic
organizations beyond the walls of the
University. (Civic Life, Collaboration, and
Civic Engagement) Back to top Diversity - Goals: Diversity, Perspective, Social Justice, Complexity
- Objectives: Students will:
-
1.1 Describe examples of diverse human
experiences, identities and cultures in the
United States. (Diversity, Perspective)
1.2 Identify and discuss paradigms that lead
to inequity and injustice. (Perspective,
Social Justice)
1.3 Examine diversity as constituted through
intersections of social categories such as
race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, age,
language, citizenship, religion, class, sexual
orientation, physical ability, and so on.
(Diversity, Complexity)
1.4 Analyze differences in power and privilege
related to race, gender, ethnicity, nationality,
age, language, citizenship, religion, class,
sexual orientation, or physical ability.
(Diversity, Social Justice) Back to top Arts - Goals: Arts & Humanities, Complexity, Communication, Collaboration
- Objectives: Students will:
1.1 Create and interpret art, individually and
collaboratively (Knowledge,
Communication, and Collaboration).
1.2 Express knowledge and understanding of
the world, humanity, and themselves
through artistic creation (Knowledge,
Complexity).
1.3 Analyze and critique art to inform and
inspire their own creative practice
(Complexity, Communication). Back to top Natural Science - Goals: Scientific Inquiry, Complexity, Critical Thinking, Mathematical & Quantitative Reasoning
- Objectives: Students will:
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1.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the theory
and concepts central to the study of a
particular area or topic treated by the natural
sciences.
1.2 Understand how to formulate a testable
hypothesis and design an informative
experiment to explain phenomena observed
in the natural world.
1.3 Be able to interpret data from scientific
experimentation both qualitatively and
quantitatively, in order to derive conclusions
appropriate to the scope and quality of data.
1.4 Be able to recognize limitations of
experimental and observational methods
and understand concepts of probability,
causation, and correlation. Back to top Social Science - Goals: Scientific Inquiry, Complexity, Critical Thinking, Mathematical & Quantitative Reasoning
- Objectives: Students will:
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1.1 Be able to apply deductive and inductive
reasoning to analyze social science topics.
(Scientific Inquiry, Mathematical and
Quantitative Reasoning)
1.2 Be able to evaluate evidence used to
validate theories, hypotheses, or predictions.
(Scientific Inquiry, Critical Thinking,
Complexity)
1.3 Appreciate that theories and data analysis
often admit multiple interpretations and will
be able to evaluate the relative merits of
alternative perspectives. (Critical Thinking,
Complexity) Back to top Religion, Theology & Culture 2 - Goals: Critical Thinking, Complexity, Religious Reflection
- Objectives
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2.1 Be able to analyze complex and diverse
religious phenomena (such as architecture
and art, music, ritual, scriptures, theological
systems, and other cultural expressions of
religious belief.) (Complexity; Critical
Thinking)
2.2 Be able to integrate and compare several
different disciplinary approaches to a
coherent set of religious phenomena.
(Complexity of Content as well as of Method;
Critical Thinking)
2.3 Be able to clarify and express beliefs in light
of their critical inquiry into the religious
dimensions of human existence. (Reflection;
Critical Thinking) Back to top Cultures & Ideas 3
- Goals: Global Cultures, Diversity, Critical Thinking, Perspective
- Objectives
-
- May 12, 2008 Learning Objectives in progress. Please check back soon.
Back to top Science, Technology & Society - Goals: Scientific Inquiry, Science & Technology, Critical Thinking, Complexity
- Objectives
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1.1 Demonstrate an appreciation of the complex
relationship between science and/or
technology and society. (Complexity)
1.2 Understand the methods and process of
scientific inquiry and how science and
technology advance through such processes.
(Science & Technology, Scientific Inquiry)
1.3 Develop and employ critical and independent
thinking skills in the analysis of the social
impact of science and technology, and how
science and technology are themselves
impacted by the needs and demands of
society. (Science & Technology, Critical
Thinking)
Back to top Religion, Theology & Culture 3 Back to top Advanced Writing - Goals: Critical Thinking, Complexity, Communication
- Objectives – After completing Advanced Writing, students will
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1.1 Be proficient in reading and writing with a
critical point of view that demonstrates depth
of thought and a thorough understanding of
the rhetorical situation. (Critical Thinking,
Complexity, Communication)
1.2 Be proficient in independently and deliberately
locating, selecting, and appropriately using
and citing evidence that is ample, credible,
and smoothly integrated into intellectually
honest writing appropriate to a particular
discipline. (Complexity, Communication;
Meta-Goal: Information Literacy)
1.3 Be able to use writing processes as modes
of thinking and learning that can be
generalized across a range of writing and
thinking tasks. (Critical Thinking, Complexity;
Meta-Goals: Intentional Learning) Back to top Experiential Learning - Goals: Social Justice, Civic Life, Perspective, Civic Engagement
- Objectives
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1.1 Be able to recognize the benefits of life-long
responsible citizenship and civic engagement
in personal and professional activities.
(Civic Life)
1.2 Be able to interact appropriately, sensitively,
and self-critically with people in the
communities in which they work and to
appreciate the formal and informal knowledge,
wisdom, and skills that individuals in these
communities possess. (Perspective)
1.3 Be able to recognize, analyze, and understand
the social reality and injustices in
contemporary society, including recognizing
the relative privilege or marginalization of their
own and other groups. (Social Justice)
1.4 Be able to make vocational choices in light of
both their greatest gifts and the world's
greatest needs. (Civic Engagement) Back to top Pathways - Goals: Intentional Learning, Integrative Learning
- Objectives
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1.1 Be able to describe connections among
courses in their Pathways and between the
Pathways and their majors. (Integrative
Learning)
1.2 Drawing on their Pathways courses,
students will be able to analyze a significant
issue from at least two different disciplinary
or methodological perspectives. (Integrative
Learning)
1.3 Drawing on their Pathways experiences,
students will be able to reflect on the learning
process itself and on the past and future of
their vocational and educational choices.
(Intentional Learning) Back to top |
