Explorations Knowledge

Overview
Within the explorations knowledge areas students will be required to take one course in each of seven areas: arts, foreign language and culture, global perspective, literature, natural science and technology, social science and western civilization to meet the general education requirements.

In this important area of general education students acquire the breadth of knowledge associated with educated people as well as analytical skills used across a variety of disciplines. Specifically the explorations knowledge areas are designed to:

• create awareness and understanding of the knowledge that forms the core of the life of an educated person
• create a global perspective through international courses and language that contributes to understanding the place of the United States in the world and the interrelationships of today's society
• allow students to explore the possibilities within a variety of fields before selecting a major.

Learning Outcomes
Arts
The student will demonstrate:

• knowledge of cultural or historic artistic traditions in visual, auditory, movement, theatrical, or cinematic art
• knowledge of the role of art as critical commentary on society and as an aesthetic expression of experience

Foreign Language and Culture
The student will demonstrate:

• knowledge of a foreign language and culture
• knowledge of linguistic and cultural diversity and the contributions of such diversity to the global society

Global Perspective
The student will demonstrate:

• knowledge of the environments, political systems, economies, societies and religions of one or more regions outside the United States and awareness of the transnational flow of goods, peoples, ideas and values
• knowledge of the role that different cultural heritages, past and present, play in forming values in another part of the world, enabling the student to function within a more global context

Literature
The student will demonstrate:

• knowledge of how literature is an expression of culture
• knowledge of literary form

Natural Science and Technology
The student will demonstrate:

• knowledge of major concepts from natural science or technology, including developing and testing of hypotheses; drawing conclusions; and reporting of findings through some laboratory experience or an effective substitute (Laboratory experiences are met by either a limited number of interactive experiences, collecting and interpreting raw data, or other effective experiences such as a virtual laboratory)
• how to evaluate sources of information in science or technology

Social Science
The student will demonstrate:

• knowledge of concepts, methods and theories designed to enhance understanding of human behavior and/or societies
• application of concepts and theories to problems involving individuals, institutions, or nations

Western Civilization
The student will demonstrate:

• knowledge of the historical events and/or philosophical ideas of European or American culture
• knowledge of how Western ideas or institutions have evolved over time

© Oakland University 2008. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Statement. Federal and State Regulations. Report a Digital Millennium Copyright Act violation. OU Web Site Style Guidelines. Site Map.