Student Learning Outcomes*
*The first set of General Education SLOs were adopted in 2005. After using these SLOs to assess General Education courses for two years, the SLOs were modified to enhance their usefulness to assessment. In addition, the SLOs were linked to categories based on the Shared Learning Goals adopted by UW-System.
I. Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Natural World including breadth
of knowledge and the ability to think beyond one’s discipline, major, or
area of concentration. This knowledge can be gained through the study of
the arts, humanities, languages, sciences, and social sciences.
Students will be able to:
1. Identify fundamental principles, theories, concepts, methodologies,
tools or issues from various disciplines
2. Synthesize information from different disciplines or perspectives to
solve problems, gain new experiences, or create new things
3. Explain the impact of science and technology on the environment,
human experience or social change
II. Critical and Creative Thinking Skills including inquiry, problem
solving, and higher-order qualitative and quantitative reasoning.
Students will be able to:
1. Construct or use models to analyze, explain or predict phenomena
2. Use mathematical or logical methods to solve problems
3. Identify and use methods of inquiry appropriate to solve particular
problems
4. Critically assess hypotheses or theses
5. Detect patterns underlying phenomena and draw reasonable inferences
from information
6. Explain how content is shaped by the context in which it was created
7. Demonstrate an understanding of complex systems of thought
III. Aesthetic Perspective and Meaning including a unique perspective of
the world, challenging the soul and intellect in a manner not addressed
in any other endeavor.
Students will be able to:
1. Develop and defend coherent interpretations, or summarize main ideas,
of texts, performances, or works of art
2. Engage in the creative process through studio practice, performance,
or writing
3. Evaluate artistic presentations as commentary on society or the human
experience
4. Explain factors that make lives meaningful
IV. Effective Communication Skills including listening, speaking,
reading, writing, and information literacy.
Students will be able to:
1. Express ideas, facts, opinions or beliefs in ways that are relevant
and appropriate to the audience, context, purpose or genre
2. State an idea/argument and develop it in a logical, organized form
using conventional grammar, punctuation and formatting
3. Use a variety of resources to locate, retrieve and evaluate relevant
sources and information
4. Identify factors that facilitate effective communication and factors
that impede effective communication
5. Formulate and support ideas with sufficient reasoning, evidence and
persuasive appeals, and proper attribution
V. Intercultural Knowledge and Competence including the ability to
interact and work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures; to
lead or contribute support to those who lead; and to empathize with and
understand those who are different.
Students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the forms and mechanisms of
oppression, discrimination, or privilege
2. Explain how values and ideas of cultures have evolved or how patterns
of globalization have shaped the modern world
3. Explain the rationales for cultural behaviors different from one’s
own
4. Communicate effectively with members of another culture
5. Articulate one’s own moral values, explain processes one uses to make
ethical decisions, or examine one’s perspective on current ethical
issues
VI. Individual, Social, and Environmental Responsibility including civic
knowledge and engagement (both local and global), ethical reasoning, and
action.
Students will be able to:
1. Identify diverse moral and ethical perspectives, principles, or
systems of evaluation
2. Explain how knowledge from various disciplines is essential to
individual or societal health and well-being
3. Identify strategies for improving self or society through
involvement, leadership, or civic engagement
4. Analyze the effect one’s decisions and choices have on self and
others
Passed by Faculty Senate 11-12-09