Course Syllabus

GNST 1200 GE Foundations

Course Description

In this course, students will be introduced to one thematic issue (e.g. cloning, GMOs, definitions of beauty) from at least three different areas of study in order to understand ways in which knowledge is interconnected and relevant. Additionally, this course will focus on the skills and habits that are essential for becoming a lifelong learner in an interdisciplinary world. This course should be taken during the freshman year. Additional fee required.

Justification

When students learn to see relevance and make connections, they develop multifaceted proficiency in and across disciplines. Integrative learning gives students the ability to succeed in situations that demand creativity, adaptability, flexibility, critical reasoning, and collaboration. As a foundation of being an educated person, integrative learning guides students in becoming lifelong learners and problem solvers who can adapt to new environments, integrate and apply knowledge from a variety of sources, and develop a range of intellectual and practical skills. Credits earned will transfer as a component of the GE program.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. An important goal of this course is to introduce students to interdisciplinary thinking by focusing on one theme or idea and approaching it from at least three different disciplinary perspectives. Through readings, class discussions, and the setup of the course, students will be able to see knowledge as connected. They will demonstrate their ability to address topics from multiple perspectives as they participate in class discussions, work as teams, and construct an interdisciplinary signature assignment.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students will read a variety of texts (understood broadly) from at least three different disciplines. Discussion questions will be designed to elicit critical responses. Class discussions, assignments, and/or quizzes will provide students an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to read critically and effectively.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. This course is designed with an interdisciplinary focus, allowing students to see relevance and make connections across disciplines. They will demonstrate their ability to integrate learning by pulling disciplines together to construct and support an argument and/or creative expression in their signature assignment.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Students will be asked to critically evaluate texts from a variety of disciplines. They will also be asked to reason creatively as they demonstrate an ability to articulate the relationship of ideas to each other across disciplines. Students will demonstrate an ability to read and think critically about interdisciplinary knowledge through class discussions, group projects, assignments, and/or quizzes and exams.
5. A student who completes the GE curriculum can communicate effectively through writing and speaking. Students will demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills in their assignments (such as education plan, signature assignment, etc.).

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. PROPOSED NEW KAO 1: Students will be able to describe the value of lifelong learning.
   EXPLANATION: Through various materials and perspectives students will consider the value of education and intentional learning. This will be accomplished by classroom discussions, activities, assignments, the signature assignment, performances, presentations, and/or as part of their education plan. PROPOSED NEW KAO 1: Students will be able to describe the value of lifelong learning.
   EXPLANATION: Through various materials and perspectives students will consider the value of education and intentional learning. This will be accomplished by classroom discussions, activities, assignments, the signature assignment, performances, presentations, and/or as part of their education plan.
2. Students will be able to identify the College's general education outcomes and design an educational objective that will enable them to achieve those outcomes. PROPOSED NEW KAO 2: Students will be able to design a personalized map to reach their educational goals.
   EXPLANATION: Students will create personalized learning goals and strategies for being an educated person (examples may include explicit explanation of GE outcomes, a technical education path, a four-year education plan, an entrepreneurial endeavor, etc.). This will be accomplished through an education plan and reflection that explains their approach.
3. Students will be able to validate knowledge from a variety of perspectives. PROPOSED NEW KAO 3: Students will be able to connect, compare, and apply knowledge from a variety of perspectives.
   EXPLANATION: With guidance from instructors, students will investigate the course theme from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Students will be able to make connections between these disciplinary perspectives using examples, facts, or theories from each; compare these disciplinary perspectives to their own life experiences and perspectives; and apply skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies from each disciplinary perspective toward new situations or problems. This will be demonstrated in classroom discussions, activities, assignments, signature assignment, performances, presentations, etc.
4. Students will be able to understand and practice methods of communication. PROPOSED NEW KAO 4: Students will understand how to work effectively in teams.
   EXPLANATION: Students will demonstrate this through articulating roles and responsibilities inherent in teamwork, and they will be able to work effectively as a member of a team. This will be demonstrated through class projects, assignments, and the signature assignment.
5. Students will be able to read critically, with a particular understanding of multiple disciplinary conventions. PROPOSED: DELETE KAO 5
6. Students will be able to articulate roles and responsibilities inherent in teamwork, and they will be able to work effectively as a member of a team. PROPOSED: DELETE KAO 6

Course Content

Specific content will be determined by interdisciplinary teams, but all courses will provide context and opportunity for students to successfully meet the following expectations: 1. Describe what lifelong learning means to them and the value of integrative learning.2. Construct a personalized education plan.3. Read a minimum of at least 50 pages of text from various sources (texts can be understood broadly as traditional readings but also films, videos, podcasts, performances, etc.).4. Write at a minimum of 10 pages of formal and informal text (educational objective, research project, essay exams, journals, in-class writing activity, summaries, analyses, etc.).5. Give an oral presentation.6. Demonstrate the fundamentals of teamwork.All teams will work to include texts and perspectives from different cultures, identities, and backgrounds.