General Education Program Philosophy
The approach to general education assessment at Upper Iowa University represents a departure from traditional strategies focused on teaching and instead focuses on student-centered learning strategies that integrate critical thinking, problem-solving and respect for intellectual property in all aspects of the learning experience. Four of the Peacock Pillars are assessed as part of the General Education Program:
- Demonstrate technological literacy;
- Exercise critical thinking across disciplines;
- Communicate effectively; and
- Engage as members of a diverse community.
Students will accomplish these objectives through various perspectives as they successfully complete coursework in the general education curriculum. In completing the general education requirements, students will pass through a regimen of coursework designed to provide a consistent educational experience, yet one flexible enough to be contoured to individual interests and needs.
The following perspectives are related to skills students will have developed in order to apply learned materials in numerous ways coherently across the University. The perspectives are spread across a variety of disciplines common to liberal arts colleges and universities in the 21st century, Natural Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Mathematics, Information Systems, Social Sciences, Communication, and Cultural Studies. These perspectives are not to be construed as goals in and of themselves, and the course in which they are addressed are by no means limited in their breadth and scope to the accomplishment of the specified perspectives. Rather, the completion of general education courses may be regarded as a milestone for students to pass, each supporting at least one of the Peacock Pillars and helping students toward the goal of a bachelor’s degree considering Upper Iowa University’s mission as a liberal arts institution.
Students may expect to complete 36 semester hours of General Education coursework as they accomplish the perspectives.
Some course requirements may be waived for students who are able to demonstrate prior achievement of course outcomes either by transfer credit or by approved alternate means. Requirements may vary for students enrolled in the Teacher Education Program.
The University faculty determines which specific courses will include the completion and assessment of the various perspectives. The School of Arts and Sciences will recommend to the faculty whether a course offered anywhere within the University is suitable for housing the natural science, mathematics, humanities, cultures, social sciences and communication tasks. The Schools of Business and Professional Studies will recommend to the faculty whether a course offered anywhere within the University is suitable for housing the computer skills task. In addition, faculty in each of these schools are responsible for review and assessment of artifacts submitted anywhere in the University as evidence of perspective completion.
Students will accomplish these objectives through various perspectives as they successfully complete coursework in the general education curriculum.
The 36 semester credits required in general education are as follows:
- English Composition I 3 Credits
- English Composition II 3 Credits
- A speech course 3 Credits
- A computer skills course 3 Credits
- A mathematics course 3 Credits
- A cultures course 3 Credits
- Two nonperformance courses within the arts and humanities 6 Credits
- Two courses within the natural sciences 6 Credits
- Two courses within the social sciences 6 Credits
Total: 36
Upper Iowa University will accept AA or AS degrees with a liberal arts core as fulfillment of the general education requirements for a baccalaureate program. Prerequisites are not waived.
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