General Education Philosophy and Goals

General Education at Dixie State College will help students achieve their academic, career, and life goals. It will include three main elements: basic skills (or those that are prerequisite to achievement), core content (or a foundation of knowledge), and distribution content (or knowledge that broadens and enriches students). It will help students establish and expand their world views by effectively communicating, evaluating, and appreciating: In order to achieve the above knowledge, appreciation and understanding, Dixie State Collegeís general education program will provide students with prerequisite skills, including: The above goals encapsulate the following underlying values: INTENT: Listed below are descriptions of the goals of General Education at Dixie State College. The intent of these goals is two-fold: First, it is hoped that individual teachers at Dixie State College will recognize the importance of the overall goals of General Education and seek to play appropriate roles in accomplishing those goals; second, it is hoped that curriculum decisions are made in the context of these goals, and that these goals become a decision-making tool for those in charge of approving new courses and changing the status of existing courses. GLOBAL AWARENESS, HUMAN VALUES, AND SENSITIVITY
AFTER A GENERAL EDUCATION AT DIXIE STATE COLLEGE, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO--
  • identify and define their own world view, compare and contrast their world view with other world views, and though written and oral communication present and defend their world view.
  • appreciate the art, history, politics, and philosophies of cultures other than your own, including non-western cultures.
  • read, write, and converse to some degree in a second language.
  • analyze values before judging.

    COURSES WILL ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN GENERAL EDUCATION STATUS IF --
  • they ensure that students internalize discussions of values by requiring that students express and defend their value judgments in written or oral form.
  • their curriculum content includes at least 20 percent emphasis on non-western cultures, teaching students about cultural diversity through assignments to read, think about, and write about races, genders, and classes, and cultures other than their own.
  • they teach a second language.
  • In addition to conveying basic information, they stress the relevance of that information to studentsí everyday lives (i.e., in addition to a chemical analysis of ozone depletion, students understand how environmental issues impact their lives).

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    SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND INTERACTIONS, HISTORICAL CONTEXTS, GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL AWARENESS
    AFTER A GENERAL EDUCATION AT DIXIE STATE COLLEGE, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO --
  • identify references and allusions to the periods, ideas, people, artifacts, and events generally felt to have been important in the past (such as Renaissance, Tokagawa Shogunate, Julius Caesar, Confucius, The Parthenon, The Republic, The Declaration of Independence, Columbus' voyage, Hinduism, the Great Depression, Nixon's visit to China, etc.).
  • demonstrate knowledge of the formal and informal structures and processes that make the social system, government, and economy of the United States work.
  • have an informed opinion based on background knowledge and psychological, social, economic, or political theory, which can be expressed orally or in writing, concerning most current events (social, cultural, intellectual, artistic, economic, political, scientific, technological) reported on any day in a national newspaper or other media.
  • demonstrate a well developed critical faculty for distinguishing among the various theoretical and ideological interpretations of world events as they are presented in the media
  • demonstrate knowledge of human development and the self.

    COURSES WILL ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN DIXIE STATE COLLEGE GENERAL EDUCATION STATUS IF --
  • they introduce students to social, cultural, intellectual, artistic, economic, political, scientific, or technological theory
  • they provide opportunities for students to argue and debate current issues orally and in writing with the goal of allowing students to reach their own conclusions.
  • they provide opportunities for students to debate and defend positions from the perspective of theoretical positions of the most important thinkers in various social disciplines, even though these positions may not be those in which the students believe.

    COURSES DO NOT FULFILL THIS REQUIREMENT IF--
  • they focus primarily on narrow aspects of a social science discipline.
  • they focus primarily on material of a current topical nature.

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    ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
    AFTER A GENERAL EDUCATION AT DIXIE STATE COLLEGE, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO --
  • have insights in the condition of human kind through the exploration of written and staged literature.
  • appreciate more fully the music, art, theatre, and literature that you encounter.
  • trace the evolution of human kind as expressed through artistic eras such as medieval Renaissance, Age of Reason, Modernism, etc.
  • appreciate and apply more effectively inner creative impulses.
  • identify humankindís approach to creativity in visual, literary, musical, and fine arts.

    COURSES WILL ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN GENERAL EDUCATION STATUS IF--
  • eighty percent or more of the focus of the courses is centered in a study and exploration of music, art, and written and/or staged literature, and not more than 20 % of the focus of the course is centered on developing artistic or performance skills.
  • at least 30% of the evaluation component of the courses is aimed at assisting the student to articulate, orally or in writing, his/her insights into the experience of the art, music, theatre, or literature being studied.
  • they teach human kindís approach to creativity in visual, literary, musical, and fine arts.
  • their curriculum focuses on the evolution of human kind through the arts.
  • they develop the studentís creative impulses--but not more than 20% of the curriculum of the course is committed to the actual practice of an art.
    COURSES DO NOT FULFILL THIS REQUIREMENT IF--
  • they are primarily performance courses, such as acting and music ensemble courses.
  • they are primarily studio courses, such as ceramics or oil painting.

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    SCIENCE AND SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT PROCESSES
    AFTER A GENERAL EDUCATION AT DIXIE STATE COLLEGE, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO--
  • explain and apply major concepts in the life sciences and physical sciences.
  • demonstrate proper laboratory technique including safety in the use and care of laboratory equipment such as microscopes, balances, glassware, etc. and in the handling of chemicals.
  • demonstrate knowledge of the process of science including asking a testable (verifiable) questions, designing an experiment to answer a testable question, using inductive and deductive reasoning in forming hypotheses and in making reliable predictions, and presenting data in tables, graphs and charts as well as analyzing and interpreting this data by employing mathematics and statistics.
  • communicate scientific ideas through oral or written assignments, critiques of the content of scientific articles regarding experimental design, assumptions, analysis of data, results, etc.
  • explain the objectives of science and research including distinguishing among the natural sciences, social sciences, and pseudoscience (Christian science and dogma); distinguishing among scientific ìtruths," legal ìtruths," and religious ìtruths"; distinguishing among the levels of knowledge: guess, estimate, hypothesis, theory, and law; explaining ìproof" versus ìdisproof" in science; and explaining the role that accident, chance, and serendipity play in science.

    COURSES WILL ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN GENERAL EDUCATION STATUS IF--
  • they require more than the memorization and comprehension of factual information and emphasize the application, analysis, synthesis, and/or evaluation of scientific concepts.
  • they provide hands-on learning opportunities for students such as laboratory instruction including safety and proper handling of equipment, in-class demonstrations, field trips, etc.
  • they emphasize the ìprocess of science" by providing practice in asking and answering testable (verifiable) questions, using inductive and deductive logic in making reliable predictions, collecting and recording data in an orderly fashion in tables, graphs and charts, and mathematically and statistically manipulating data to derive conclusions.
  • they provide for the communication of scientific ideas through oral or written assignments, critiques, questions, and/or discussions.
  • besides presenting basic knowledge and concepts in the field, they also emphasize the relevance of the material to studentsí everyday lives by giving ample analogies and examples in order to enlighten and motivate students.

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    WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS
    AFTER A GENERAL EDUCATION AT DIXIE STATE COLLEGE, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO --
  • develop written communication skills, including the ability to conceive ideas about an assigned topic; organize, select, and relate ideas and outline and develop them in coherent paragraphs; write standard English sentences with correct sentence structure, verb forms, punctuation, capitalization, possessives, plural forms, and other matters of mechanics; vary writing style, including vocabulary and sentence structure, for different readers and purposes.
  • develop research skills, including the ability to gather information from primary and secondary sources; write a report using this research; quote, paraphrase, and summarize accurately; and cite sources properly.
  • develop oral communication skills, including the ability to select topics appropriate to an audience; determine the appropriate general and specific purpose; organize, arrange, rehearse, and deliver a presentation; evaluate, lead, and participate effectively in group discussions; apply active listening skills in interpersonal settings.

    COURSES WILL ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN GENERAL EDUCATION STATUS IF --
  • their emphasis is expository communication skills.
  • their exams are not totally objecting, including at least some major written component.
  • they require that students prepare and submit written papers as course assignments.
  • they reinforce research writing skills by assigning writing that requires students to do research in various disciplines.
  • they require students to effectively demonstrate oral communication skills in class presentations, assignments, and collaborative group efforts.

    COURSES DO NOT FULFILL THIS REQUIREMENT IF--
  • they are aimed at developing writing skills unique to some particular profession, such as police writing or journalism. (Technical writing and business writing courses, while less general that some courses, are still sufficiently general to maintain general education status.)
  • they are aimed at developing creative writing skills. (Just as performance classes in Fine Arts areas--which are aimed at developing musical, artistic, or performance skills--donít have general education status, creative writing--which is aimed at developing artistic writing skills--does not have general education status.)

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    READING SKILLS 6.1 AFTER A GENERAL EDUCATION AT DIXIE STATE COLLEGE, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO --

  • 6.1.1 recognize the organizational structure of written material.

  • 6.1.2 identify both stated and implied main ideas.

  • 6.1.3 define the relationships between main ideas and supporting ideas.

  • 6.1.4 distinguish between fact and opinion.

  • 6.1.5 identify or use all forms of figurative language.

  • 6.1.6 make inferences.

  • 6.1.7 accurately describe the authorís purpose and tone.

  • 6.1.8 identify in writing the elements of literature and their relationship to theme.

  • 6.1.9 read college-level written material at ____ % comprehension level, and at a speed of at least _____ words per minute.

  • 6.1.10 value reading as a source of lifelong learning and recreational enjoyment.

  • 6.1.11 successfully apply critical reading skills to a wide range of materials, allowing you to comprehend, apply, synthesize, evaluate, form opinions, and make appropriate decisions.

    6.2 COURSES WILL ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN GE STATUS IF--

  • 6.2.1 they require students to analyze written material, including analysis of structure, main and supporting ideas, fact and opinion, purpose and tone, and literary elements.
  • 6.2.2 their teachers demonstrate techniques for more effective reading and require students to develop those techniques.
  • 6.2.3 they assign at least the equivalent of 500 pages of light reading per quarter (recognizing that not all reading is commensurable).

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    NUMERICAL SKILLS:

    7.1 AFTER A GENERAL EDUCATION AT DIXIE STATE COLLEGE, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO --

  • 7.1.1 perform basic mathematical operations on rational numbers with and without a calculator.
  • 7.1.2 calculate fractions, percentages, decimals and proportions/ratios with and without a calculator.
  • 7.1.3 use accepted mathematical processes to solve algebraic equations with one, two, or three unknowns.
  • 7.1.4 solve word problems both in the context of applied situations and in extending knowledge of mathematical theory.
  • 7.1.5 interpret data accurately from tables, graphs, and charts.
  • 7.1.6 demonstrate the effective and efficient use of calculators to solve mathematical problems.
  • 7.1.7 understand the concept of an equivalence relation and the meaning of a variable.
  • 7.1.8 work with functions that are constructed as models of real-world problems, including such things as the use of logarithmic and exponential functions as models for population growth, compound interest, etc.

    7.2 COURSES WILL ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN GENERAL EDUCATION STATUS IF--

  • 7.2.1 they require students to perform mathematical processes, including fractions, percentages, decimals, proportions/ratios, and algebraic equations.
  • 7.2.2 they provide student word problems, both applied and theoretical, using arithmetical, algebraic, and geometric methods.
  • 7.2.3 they ask students to make inferences from mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, and tables.
  • 7.2.4 they provide real-world problems that require students to use mathematical function, such as the problems of population growth or compound interest, which require use of logarithmic and exponential functions.

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    CRITICAL THINKING/ABSTRACT REASONING SKILLS

    8.1 AFTER A GENERAL EDUCATION AT DIXIE STATE COLLEGE, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO --

  • 8.1.1 perform basic analytic functions, such as categorizing information, distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant data, and predicting outcomes of situations from analysis of information.
  • 8.1.2 use conceptual information specific to the subject area to propose solutions to theoretical and actual problems, to formulate long and short term goals, to prioritize tasks in completion of a project, and to create strategies for achieving goals.
  • 8.1.3 use conceptual information specific to the subject area to solve real life problems encountered in the home, family, and workplace.
  • 8.1.4 utilize information provided to evaluate credibility of a source, formulate an opinion and defend it, and identify essential attributes for conducting a summative evaluation.

    8.2 COURSES WILL ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN GENERAL EDUCATION STATUS IF--

  • 8.2.1 utilize multiple measures of content mastery that give students the opportunity to demonstrate critical thinking skills. These measures may include written exams that require analytical skills as well as comprehension and knowledge. Other measurements of skill should include oral reports or debates, group projects, portfolios of work, and objective tests that require identifying a ëbestí answer. Objective tests should account for no more than 50% of all measurement.
  • 8.2.2 use more ìhands-on" approaches to teach concepts. These activities should give students an opportunity to apply concepts from the class in real life or laboratory situations.
  • 8.2.3 use instructional methods in addition to traditional lecture. These many include collaborative group work, Socratic dialog, research projects, creative projects. Ideally, lectures should not exceed 25 minutes.

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    INFORMATION LITERACY SKILLS

    9.1 AFTER A GENERAL EDUCATION. AT DIXIE STATE COLLEGE, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO --

  • 9.1.1select an information topic and understand the research process.
  • 9.1.2select an information topic and understand the research process.
  • 9.1.3define or modify an information need to achieve manageable focus.
  • 9.1.4utilize a variety of information formats to meet information needs.
  • 9.1.5formulate search strategies appropriate to the resource and adapt them as necessary.
  • 9.1.6formulate search strategies appropriate to the resource and adapt them as necessary.
  • 9.1.7know hot to access in formation contained in those sources.
  • 9.1.8critically evaluate the quality of the information obtained.
  • 9.1.9organize the information.
  • 9.1.10use information effectively, ethically and legally to meet information needs.
  • 9.1.11attribute the information source correctly.

    9.2 COURSES WILL ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN DIXIE STATE COLLEGE GENERAL EDUCATION STATUS IF --

  • 9.2.1 they require students to search printed and electronic sources of information.

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    COMPUTER SKILLS

    10.1 AFTER A GENERAL EDUCATION. AT DIXIE STATE COLLEGE, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO --

  • 10.1.1 Use computer technology to access and retrieve information.
  • 10.1.2 Use computer technology to create, analyze, and process information.
  • 10.1.3 Use computer technology to deliver information.
  • 10.1.4 communicate electronically using local and wide-area networks;
  • 10.1.5 gain access to electronic information resources (e.g. libraries);
  • 10.1.6 exhibit functional mastery of at least one computer operating system (e.g., DOS, Windows, UNIX, MAC, etc.);
  • 10.1.7 use document preparation programs (e.g. word processors) to prepare, edit, and manipulate text;
  • 10.1.8 find various kinds of data and represent and manipulate that data in tabular and various visual forms such as graphs.

    10.2 COURSES WILL ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN DIXIE STATE COLLEGE GENERAL EDUCATION STATUS IF --

    1. They provide proper ìhands on" computer instruction that covers the skills listed above.

    Approved 1996, Revised October 2001



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    Direct Comments to Joe Peterson at peterson@dixie.edu
    Copyright © 2000-2001 Dixie State College of Utah. All rights reserved.
    Revised: 10/18/2001.
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