GENERAL EDUCATION
SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS DOMAIN
COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Department:
Associated general education goals:
List of courses:
Directions: each general education course meets at least two goals from its particular
domain (see associated general education goals above). Since particular courses may
vary in how they reach those goals, it is important that each department develop a list of
learning outcomes that detail what each student learns in that particular course that
fulfills the general education goals. During the fall semester each department is being
asked to determine the learning outcomes for each of its certified general education
courses and to submit a list to the General Education Committee for approval no later
than November 23.
When writing learning outcomes, each department should consider the following:
1) Set realistic outcomes. Judge the realism by the ability to measure. If the
department is unable to develop assessment tools to measure how well students
learn, then it should be reworded. Avoid vague wording by thinking about what
specific measurements will be used and what information they might provide.
2) Express the learning outcomes in terms of student learning. The trend today is
toward emphasizing what the student has learned or can do as a result of
instruction because of its measurability. Although not a requirement, outcome
statements that begin with “The student …” are preferred.
3) Outcomes must correlate with the overall goals of the domain. They must flow
from the two particular goals that the department chose in its proposal. See
associated goals above for an indication of the two goals chosen.
OUTCOMES
Course:
Course:
Course:
Course:
GOALS FOR SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS DOMAIN
Goal 10: Understand the development of cultures and organizations of human
societies throughout the world and their changing interrelationships with Western
Society.
Students comprehend how various societies have approached the common
problems of human existence over time. They learn that solutions to those problems
vary because of tradition, geography, philosophy, or religion, economic development,
technological change and political power. Students understand how and why these
societies have interacted with Western Society, where applicable.
Goal 11: Evaluate the impact of theories, events and institutions on the social,
economic, legal and political aspects of society.
Students develop knowledge about the markets, social organizations, legal
systems, and levels of government that comprise society. They understand, through
study of theories, how these institutions function, interact with each other, and evolve
in our society and others.
Goal 12: Comprehend and appreciate the development of diversity in America in all
its forms.
Students comprehend the historical development of the United States as a
democratic political system and the ideals, rights and Institutions associated with that
system. Students appreciate the diverse characteristics of the populations that
comprised American society over time, the ways devised to cope with these
differences, and the impact of conflicts over differences on politics and society in
general. Diversity includes but is not limited to the characteristics of race, social and
economic class, religion, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, lifestyle and political
identity.