Critical Thinking

Think critically

Undergraduates, who think critically recognize an object of investigation, frame questions about it, and interrogate assumptions—explicit or implicit.  Critical thinking includes the evaluation of evidence, analysis and synthesis of multiple sources, and reflection on varied perspectives. Critical thinking generates a well-developed investigation that incorporates supporting and countering claims. A student engaged in critical thinking produces an informed account, a hypothesis for further study, or the solution to a problem.

Contextualized Learning

Understand historical and contemporary issues in context

Undergraduates, who contextualize learning understand and integrate historical, contemporary, and cultural phenomena and their underlying principles in two broad applications. First, contextual learners recognize the interaction of complex forces that give rise to specific phenomena. Second, contextual learners understand and analyze related events, artifacts, practices and concepts across geographic, chronological and cultural boundaries.

Interdisciplinary Thinking

Understand and apply knowledge in and across disciplines

Undergraduates, who use interdisciplinary thinking recognize the world presents problems, topics, or issues too complex to be satisfactorily addressed though a single lens. Thus, interdisciplinary thinkers apply multiple perspectives, paradigms, and frameworks to problems, topics, or issues.

Communication Skills

Communicate effectively orally and in writing

Undergraduates, who communicate effectively use spoken and written language to construct a message that demonstrates the communicator has established clear goals and has considered her or his audience. Effective messages are organized and presented in a style appropriate to the context. 

Scientific & Quantitative Reasoning

Undergraduates, who exercise quantitative and scientific reasoning use and apply these reasoning processes to explain phenomena in the context of everyday life.

Quantitative reasoning includes statistical and/or logical problem-solving, the relationships between quantities, and the use and misuse of quantitative data. Scientific reasoning introduces students to the evolution and interdependence of science and technology and includes problem identification, hypothesis evaluation, experimentation, interpretation of results and the use and misuse of scientific data.

Civic Engagement

Function as an engaged citizen in a diverse and globalized world

Undergraduates, open to civic engagement view themselves as connected to local and global communities where they participate in activities that address issues of public concern. Critically engaged students define issues, pose, probe, and solve problems with an awareness of and an inclusion of the diverse values and interests.

Information Literacy

Identify, access and evaluate sources of information

For undergraduates, information literacy encompasses a broad spectrum of abilities, including the ability to recognize and articulate information needs; to locate, critically evaluate, and organize information for a specific purpose; and to recognize and reflect on the ethical use of information.