Program Description/Overview
General education prepares students for personal and professional success in the specialized focus of their majors and provides a lasting foundation for intellectual and personal growth, for critical inquiry and problem-solving, and for ethical and responsible choices. This foundation for life-long learning ensures Alliant graduates’ continued engagement as creative and productive members of their communities.
During the first two years of the four-year program, the general education curriculum provides foundational skills and knowledge and the ability to use information literacy, critical thinking, an inclusive world view and quantitative reasoning.
Program Learning Outcomes/Goals
General education learning outcomes are:
PLO1. Effectively use the English language; writing with clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness. (Oral Communication Competency)
PLO2. Effectively use the English language; speaking and presenting with clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness. (Written Communication Competency
PLO3. Comprehend and use quantitative concepts and methods to interpret and to critically evaluate data, and to effectively problem-solve in a variety of contexts demanding quantitative literacy. (Quantitative Competency)
PLO4. Locate, access, analyze and utilize information and adhere to the standards of academic honesty in the use of that information. (Information Competency)
PLO5. Demonstrate competency in digital literacy, including fundamental concepts of computing and fluency in the use of contemporary digital devices, social media, and information technology. (Digital/Technical Competency)
PLO6. Demonstrate ability to think critically, independently, and creatively; synthesize existing ideas or texts in original ways; and make informed and logical judgments. (Critical Thinking Competency)
PLO7. Recognize and appreciate cultural diversity; analyze and explore complex global challenges; interact and collaborate respectfully with diverse others; and develop a global perspective grounded in the understanding of international cultures, and issues. (Intercultural and Multicultural Competency)
The outcomes are achieved in the 48-unit general education curriculum covering core competencies, academic breadth, and lifelong learning and cultural competence.
Credit Units
Total Credit Units: 48
Total Core Credit Units: 48
Total Elective Credit Units: N/A
Total Concentration Credit Units: N/A
Lifelong Learning and Core Competencies (19 units)
Lifelong Learning/Information Literacy (4 units)
The General Education Program ensures that students have the opportunity not only to develop the necessary intellectual skills and knowledge base for success, but also to reflect upon the importance of humane values, ethical conduct, and social responsibility. In HUM10200 , students will deepen self-knowledge and knowledge of others, explore career possibilities, and gain appreciation of the world community and their place in it. The American Library Association states that “information literacy is a key component of, and contributor to, lifelong learning. Information literacy competency extends learning beyond formal classroom settings and provides practice with self-directed investigations as individuals move into internships, first professional positions, and increasing responsibilities in all arenas of life.” Students must be literate in print and digital environments. Basic competency in information literacy is achieved during HUM10200 in preparation for further development in the other general education courses and in each degree program.
Effective Communication: Writing, Oral, & Critical Thinking (9 units)
These courses prepare students for further development of essential writing, reasoning, and critical thinking skills necessary for academic success in the major and in students’ personal, and professional activities. Courses require students to interpret and to analyze text. Writing courses and breadth-of-knowledge courses incorporate substantive reading assignments. The ability of students to engage in critical and informed inquiry, to apply their learning to new contexts, and to communicate effectively is dependent upon their ability to read with fluency and comprehension.
The general education program offers an integrated learning experience through which students develop and enhance their critical thinking ability: to reason well, to problem-solve, and to create independently. Critical thinking is developed in ENG11200 and is integrated in all courses and experiences, leading to the development the ability to clearly and accurately identify problems and consequences, apply models of inquiry to generate information, apply processes of logical reasoning, interpret findings and draw reasoned conclusions.
Quantitative Reasoning: Mathematics (3 units)
The course engages students to use mathematics as an essential quantitative tool of analysis and provides a foundation for the development of quantitative reasoning. Because quantitative reasoning is an essential skill in across disciplines, degree programs ensure that students continue to develop their quantitative literacy. Students develop critical thinking skills using mathematical problem solving. Upon graduation, students should be able to apply basic mathematical methods to solve real-world problems.
Global and Multicultural Perspectives (3 units)
In GMP15000 , students focus on developing cultural competence for effective intercultural communication between individuals and groups.
Breadth of Knowledge Areas (29 units)
These courses provide a broad background in several disciplines and provide an academic foundation for upper division learning in the major. Breadth courses reinforce the core competencies from multiple disciplinary perspectives and prepare students with knowledge of social, scientific, and behavioral concepts that support additional learning and allow students to make connections to the world around them.
Throughout these courses, building on the foundational work in HUM10200 , students consider ethical and legal issues in history and society. Concepts of diversity and social justice are incorporated in the breadth courses.
Finally, all courses include expectations required demonstration of digital literacy required to access and analyze information and communicate with others.
Humanities/Language Learning (6 units)
Physical & Life Sciences (8 units)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (12 units)
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