Sampling

A sampling of purposes and objectives for general education from a variety of colleges and universities:

Set 1

Purposes

• Realizing individual student potential personal enrichment cultural awareness, and breadth of knowledge; aesthetic and appreciative faculties, experiment, creativity, introspection and testing of values
• Preparation for membership in the community leadership, education for the "common good", shared values, literacy, writing proficiency; informed, mature and critical mind
• Providing a foundation for the major communication and reasoning skills, exposure to different values, perspectives, and cultural traditions, context and meaning of career activities
• Methodological competence and integration of knowledge how new knowledge has been acquired in past and how it might be acquired in future; "understanding fields of knowledge and the interrelationships between them'; continued life-long learning through library and computer skills

Objectives for above purposes:

Reason critically

1. Define and solve problems
2. Integrate and synthesize knowledge
3. Assess the accuracy and validity of findings and conclusions
4. Understand how one thinks, reasons, and makes value judgments
5. Understand diverse viewpoints, ambiguity and uncertainty
6. Understand differing philosophies and cultures

Conduct self-directed or independent leaming projects

1. Demonstrate research and information retrieval skills in the library and on the mtemet
2. Evaluate data and apply quantitative principles and methods
3. Show evidence of continued self-directed leaming
4. Demonstrate creativity in huming and solving problems

Understand the roles of normative views and values, including ethics and aesthetics

1. Understand distinctions between value assertions and statements of fact; recognize and evaluate evidence
2. Derive the premises upon which systems of value are grounded
3. Understand historical and contemporary systems of political, religious, and aesthetic values
4. Understand diverse viewpoints and respect the rights of others to hold them; understand the contingent nature of truth; tolerate ambiguity and uncertainty
5. Develop aesthetic sensibilities in regard to art, literature, nature

Communicate conclusions, interpretations and implications clearly, concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing

1. Critically analyze written information
2. Organize for clarity and coherence in writing and speaking tasks
3. Show awareness of contexts-audiences, styles, & conventions
4. Be able to use correct standard English
5. Show evidence of copy-editing skills
6. Work cooperatively

Acquire and assimilate knowledge in a variety of modes and contexts and recognize diverse disciplinary viewpoints and methods

1. Understand and apply scientific principles and methods
2. Understand and apply quantitative principles and methods
3. Understand and apply qualitative principles and methods
4. Understand and apply technology
5. Understand and apply the methods of arts and humanities
6. Understand and apply the methods of the social sciences

Understand the historical development of human knowledge and cultures including both Western and non-Westem civilizations

1. Demonstrate awareness of a broad overview of human past
2. Understand perspectives linked to race, gender, ethnicity both in American society and in international contexts
3. Understand differing philosophies and cultures
4. Understand the interaction of society and the environment
5. Recognize one's responsibilities, rights, and privileges as a citizen

Set 2

Purposes

• Express self clearly in writing
• Reason effectively from hypothesis to conclusion and logically analyze arguements of others
• Have critical appreciation of social framework live in and how evolved over time
• Have exprience thinking about moral and ethical problems
• Have understanding of some facets of science and ways in which knowledge of universe is gained and applied
• Have understanding of some aspects of mathematics and application of quantitative skills to problem solving
• Have familiarity with second language
• Have appreciation for literature and the arts

Set 3

Purposes

• Competence in the processes of learning ability to read and listen, knowledge of logic and scientific method, rigourous critical analysis and synthesis of facts and ideas
• Ability to use words and numbers accurately and effectively communicate clearly through spoken word, written word, mathematical symbols
• Historical perspective familiarity with events, people, and achievements of the apst; understanding of enduring ideas and values; knowledge of ways ideas and values expressed in cultures and social, political and ecommic institutions
• General knowledge and appreciation of nature, science and technology
• General knowledge and appreciation of arts and literature
• Understanding of self; empathy for strengths, weaknesses, rights and needs of others; ability to relate with human understanding
• Appreciation of responsibilities to family and society; skill in service as constructive members of groups and organizations; ability to make independent moral and ethical decisions
• Knowledge of the economic and geographical inter-relationships of regions and antions and their resources.

Set 4

Purposes

• Act as informed, responsible, democmtically-minded citizens of the world
• Think critically and independently, and exercise informed judgement
• Integrate and synthesize knowledge
• Cultivate moral reasoning and aesthetic sensibilities
• Function effectively in an increasingly international, diverse world
• Function effectively in an increasingly technological world
• Anticipate and respond effectively to change
• Appreciate cultural diversity and chronological perspective
• Maintain qualities of curiosity, intellectual honesty, fairness, openness, and respect for ambiguity
• Use a range of communication skills effectively for learning, application and expression
• Use a range of quantitative skills effectively for learning, application, and expression
• Use a range of qualitative skills effectively for learning, application and expression
• Demonstrate an understanding of how natural and technological events hav an impact on the development of society, past, present and future.
• Make a commitment to learning as a personal and collaborative process exercised over a lifetime
• Develop awareness of personal well-being and quality of life

Set 5

No Purposes Given

Objectives -- Abilities of:

• Communication
• Analysis
• Problem Solving
• Values in Decision-Making
• Social Interaction
• Global Perspectives
• Effective Citizenship
• Aesthetic Responsiveness

Set 6

Matrix Model

Areas of Knowledge

Arts and Literatures Civilizations Social Sciences Natural Science/ Math

Modes of Inquiry

• Quantitative/Inductive & Deductive Reasoning
• Interpretive/Aesthetic Approaches

Focused Inquiries

• Cross-Cultural Inquiry
• Science / Technology & Society
• Ethical Inquiry

Competencies

• Foreign Language
• Writing
• Research

Set 7

Purposes

• Inquiry and Critical Thinking
• Communication
• Human Experience
• Ethical Issues and Social Responsibility

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