Artists observe, interpret, create, and practice in many media to create meaning, expression, and communication.

Humanists critically and often historically examine the full spectrum of human cultures and products, including material objects and structures, languages, literatures, philosophies, religions, thought, and consciousness.

Natural Scientists analyze and critically question natural phenomena through the scientific method, and collect empirical evidence through observation and experimentation to explore, interpret, and create understanding of the physical world and its complex interrelations.

Social Scientists study and analyze how people think, behave, and affect the world around us at scales encompassing: the individual, pairs of individuals, the family and social group, informal social structures, formal institutions, regions, and nations.

Students will identify the approaches and methodologies of the disciplinary perspective, use evidence and/or knowledge generated within the disciplinary perspective to critically analyze questions, ideas, and/or arguments, and describe contributions of this perspective to finding solutions to global and/or local challenges. 

In Building Connections courses, students will explore the unique contributions of knowledge, skills, methodologies, values, and perspectives from varied disciplines, professions, and social positions. In addition, they will practice multi-disciplinary thinking through activities such as conceptual thinking, problem solving, innovative design, critical analysis, evaluation of ideas, and creation of knowledge/products. 

Building Connections courses aim to provide students with an understanding of, appreciation for, and practice with taking multiple perspectives in service of critical and conceptual thinking and problem solving.
 

Students will demonstrate the ability to utilize multiple perspectives and make meaningful connections across disciplines and social positions, think conceptually and critically, and solve problems.

(I) how the history of the United States continues to shape the present

(II) the basic principles of American constitutional democracy and how they are applied under a republican form of government

(III) the United States Constitution and major American constitutional debates and developments

(IV) the essential founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of American Institutions of self-governance

(V) landmark Supreme Court cases that have shaped law and society

(VI) the civic actions necessary for effective citizenship and civic participation in a self-governing society – for example civil dialog and civil disagreement 

(VII) basic economic knowledge to critically assess public policy options and to inform professional and personal decisions

From one or more perspectives, students will demonstrate understanding of civic institutions by analyzing the U.S. Constitution and other founding documents; assessing the development of principles and institutions of governance including the judiciary; and applying historical, economic, and other domains of knowledge to inform civic action and participation in public policy and decision making. 

While Gen Ed Attributes are not tracked as for graduation requirements and are not visible to students in the course catalog, they are integral curricular design elements that help students:

• Develop effective communication skills

• Become critical thinkers

• Understand and value differences

• Use information ethically and effectively

• Recognize the importance of civic engagement, historically and personally

• Situate themselves in a global context

These curricular design elements are critical to the structure of the Gen Ed program and are essential features in meeting our ABOR assessment requirements.