STATEMENT ON

THE MISSION, GOALS & 0BJECTIVES 
OF GENERAL EDUCATION AT
SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

Unanimously approved by the GE Subcommittee, and sent to EPC, October 23, 2002.
Unanimously approved by EPC, November 14, 2002.

MISSION

General Education (GE) at Sonoma State University (SSU) investigates the complexity of human experience in a diverse natural and social world, and promotes informed and ethical participation as citizens of the world.

TEACHING GOALS

To achieve this mission, in concert with the specific needs of various GE Areas of Study, the GE program asserts the following fundamental goals for all GE approved classes:
 
I.Teach students to think independently, ethically, critically and creatively
 
II.Teach students to communicate clearly to many audiences

III.Teach students to gain an understanding of connections between the past and the present, and to look to the future

IV. Teach students to appreciate intellectual, scientific, and artistic accomplishment

V. Teach and/or build upon reading, writing, research, and critical thinking skills
 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Acquire a foundation of intellectual skills and capacities

a. Develop intellectual curiosity (Supports Goals I, II, III, IV, and V)

b. Develop research skills (I, III, IV, V)

c. Write and speak effectively to various audiences (I, II, V)

d. Evaluate everyday experiences critically (I, III, IV, V)

e. Develop capacity to reason quantitatively (I, IV, V)

f. Work collaboratively to achieve defined goals and objectives (I, II, V)

g. Develop skill in the use of information technology (I, II, V)

h. Imagine, design, and execute scholarly and creative projects (I, II, IV, V)

i. Translate problems into common language (I, II, V)

2. Develop social and global knowledge

a. Understand and appreciate human diversity (I, II, III, V)

b. Prepare for active engagement in the community (I, II, III, V)

c. Understand and be sensitive to the global environment (I, II, III, IV, V)

d. Understand social justice issues (I, III, IV, V)

e. Engage with challenging moral and ethical human dilemmas (I, II, III, IV, V)

3. Understand and use multiple methods of inquiry and approaches to knowledge

a. Understand and appreciate math and science (I, II, III, IV, V)

b. Understand and appreciate fine and performing arts (I, II, III, IV, V)

c. Understand and appreciate historical and social phenomena (I, II, III, IV, V)

d. Recognize and use perspectives of diverse disciplines (I, II, III, IV, V)

4. Develop capacities for integration and lifelong learning

a. Evaluate alternative career choices (I, III, IV, V)

b. Recognize the importance of lifelong learning (I, II, III, IV, V)

c. Integrate general education experiences (I, II, III, IV, V)

d. Cultivate ways to empower the learning of others (I, II, III, IV, V)

e. Engage in responsible citizenship (I, II, III, IV, V)