General Education Learning Outcomes

Mission

The general education program develops a foundation and motivation for the lifelong pursuit of learning in undergraduate students at Arkansas State University by introducing them to a broad range of essential areas of knowledge that will enable them to think critically and participate ethically in a democratic nation and a global society.

Goals, Outcomes and Supporting Courses

The General Education Program at Arkansas State University provides students with a foundation for lifelong learning. It introduces essential areas of knowledge that foster critical thinking and ethical participation in a democratic and global society.

Communicating Effectively

Goal:
Students should be able to communicate effectively and correctly, in writing and in speech, for a variety of purposes, using appropriate forms of discourse, organizational strategies, and vocabulary.

Learning Outcome:

• Students should be able to:
  • Construct and deliver a well-organized, logical, and informative oral or written presentation, accurately documented, that demonstrates proficiency in standard American English.

Supporting Courses:

• ENG 1003 – Composition I
• ENG 1013 – Composition II
• COMS 1203 – Oral Communication

Using Mathematics

Goal:
Students should be able to use, understand and apply basic mathematical skills in practical applications.

Learning Outcomes:

• Students should be able to
  • Interpret and analyze quantitative/mathematical information (such as, formulas, graphs, and tables)
  • Apply mathematical methods to solve problems

Supporting Courses:

• MATH 1023 – College Algebra
• MATH 1043 – Quantitative Reasoning
• MATH 2003 – Statistics

Developing An Appreciation of the Arts and Humanities

Goal:
Students should develop an appreciation for the arts and humanities. They should be aware of the role of art and literature in human civilization and contemporary culture.

Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to:
  • Recognize works of literature or fine arts and place them in their historical, cultural, and social contexts
  • Interpret works of fine arts or literature

Supporting Courses:

• ART 2503 – Fine Arts Visual
• MUS 2503 – Fine Arts Musical
• THEA 2503 – Fine Arts Theatre
• ENG 2003 – World Literature to 1660
• ENG 2013 – World Literature Since 1660
• PHIL 1103 – Introduction to Philosophy

Developing a Strong Foundation in the Social Sciences

Goal:
Students should be aware of the diverse systems developed by humans to manage and structure our relationships with one another. Students should prepare for the full range of public and private roles they are expected to fulfill as citizens, decision-makers and human beings in a democratic America and in a global society.

Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to:
  • Explain the processes and effects of individual and group behavior
  • Analyze events in terms of the concepts and relational propositions generated by the social science tradition

Supporting Courses:

• HIST 2763, US History to 1876
• HIST 2773, US History since 1876
• POSC 2103, Introduction to US Government
• POSC 1003, Introduction to Politics
• PSY 2013, Introduction to Psychology
• SOC 2213, Introduction to Sociology
• CMAC 1003, Mass Communication in Modern Society
• ANTH 2233, Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
• ECON 2313, Principles of Macroeconomics
• ECON 2323, Principles of Microeconomics
• ECON 2333, Economic Issues & Concepts
• GEOG 2613, Introduction to Geography
• HIST 1013, World History to 1500
• HIST 1023, World History since 1500

Using Science to Make Informed Decisions

Goal:
Students should understand how science is conducted and the criteria for scientific evidence so that they will be able to make informed decisions about the health and well-being of their communities and the natural environment. They should be aware of the ethical and political issues raised by science.

Learning Outcome:

• Students will be able to:
  • Apply foundational knowledge of the various sciences to make informed decisions.

Supporting Courses:

• BIOL 1003, 1001, Biological Science and Laboratory
• BIOL 1063, 1001, People and the Environment
• BIO 2013, 2011, Biology of the Cell and Laboratory
• BIO 2103, 2101, Microbiology for Nursing & Allied Health & Laboratory
• BIO 2203, 2201, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Laboratory
• BIO 1503, 1501, Biology of Plants & Laboratory
• CHEM 1013, 1011 General Chemistry and Laboratory
• CHEM 1043, 1041, Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry and Laboratory
• GEOL 1003, 1001, Environmental Geology and Laboratory
• PHSC 1203, 1201, Physical Science and Laboratory
• PHYS 1103, 1101, Introduction to Space Science/Laboratory
• PHYS 2034, University Physics I
• PHYS 2054, General Physics I