IUN GENERAL EDUCATION PRINCIPLES
DRAFT 12-09-05
The following general education principles guide the achievement of excellence in undergraduate education at IUN. They
describe university level capabilities, knowledge across disciplines, awareness of diversity and ethics that we believe every
graduate of an IUN baccalaureate degree program should attain. These principles embrace learning experiences that prepare
students for lifelong learning, ethical practices, successful careers, and effective citizenship.
Principle
Definition
Tentative timeline
1. Foundations for
Effective Learning
and
Communication
Fluency in reading, writing, and
oral communication; mastery of the
basic principles of logical,
mathematical, and scientific
reasoning; and literacy in
information resources and learning
technologies.
Define outcomes—May
1, 2006
Design for achieving
outcomes—October 1,
2006
Assessment plan—
October 1, 2006
Sources and alignment with IUN
Mission and Vision
IUN General Education Goals 1, 3, 4, 6
Strategic Outcome 2/ Successful
Careers and Lifelong Learning
Strategic Outcomes 1 & 6/ Student
Excellence
Best national practices in general
education
UFC Draft Document on General
Education/Principle 1
1
2. Breadth of
Learning
3. Critical
Thinking,
Integration, and
Application of
Knowledge
Essential knowledge, principles,
and methods in arts and
humanities, the social and
historical sciences, the
mathematical, physical, and life
sciences, and diversity.
Careful and logical analysis of
information and ideas from
multiple perspectives; critical
acquisition, integration, and
application of knowledge in
students’ intellectual, professional,
and community lives
Define outcomes—
December 1, 2006
IUN General Education Goals 3, 4, 5, 8
Strategic Outcome 2/ Successful
Careers and Lifelong Learning
Design for achieving
outcomes—December 1,
2006
Strategic Outcomes 1 & 6/ Student
Excellence
Assessment plan—
December 1, 2006
Best national practices in general
education
Define outcomes—May
1, 2007
Design for achieving
outcomes—May 1,
2007
Assessment plan—May
1, 2007
UFC Draft Document on General
Education/Principle 2
IUN General Education Goals 2 & 9
Strategic Outcome 2/ Successful
Careers and Lifelong Learning
Strategic Outcomes 1 & 6/ Student
Excellence
Best national practices in general
education
UFC Draft Document on General
Education/Principle 3
IUPUI Principles of Undergraduate
Learning/ 2 & 3
2
4. Diversity
Knowledge and understanding of
the diversity of human experience,
including race-ethnicity and the
variety of cultures within the U.S.
and across the world and the many
other ways in which communities
are diverse.
Define outcomes—
December 1, 2007
Design for achieving
outcomes— December
1, 2007
Assessment plan—
December 1, 2007
IUN General Education Goal 7
Strategic Outcome 2/ Effective
Citizenship
Strategic Outcomes 1 & 6/ Student
Excellence
Best national practices in general
education
IUPUI Principles of Undergraduate
Learning/ 5
5. Ethics and
Citizenship
Principles, history and experience
of structures of governance;
principles of ethics; and the
application of these principles to
the larger society, one’s immediate
community, and individual conduct
on campus and in society.
Define outcomes—May
1, 2008
Design for achieving
outcomes—May 1,
2008
Assessment plan—May
1, 2008
UFC Draft Document on General
Education/Principle 2
IUN General Education Goals 5 & 6
Strategic Outcome 2/ Effective
Citizenship and Ethical Practices
Best national practices in general
education
IUPUI Principles of Undergraduate
Learning/ 6
3