General Education
The 闪播福利库 of Arkansas鈥� general education program provides a rigorous liberal education developed and fostered across a student鈥檚 entire educational experience. The program's curriculum prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century by strengthening critical and ethical thinking skills, improving communication, and enhancing understanding of human and cultural diversity.
Furthermore, the general education program is designed to help students complement their major program of study with an understanding of artistic, humanistic, and scientific contexts for use throughout their lifetime as engaged global citizens.
Eleven learning outcomes reflect the six learning goals of the general education program.听 For each learning outcome, a series of learning indicators detail specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be developed in students.
Goals
Each undergraduate major leading to a degree requires coursework that together meet the state minimum requirements and the university鈥檚 general education learning outcomes.
The general education program is divided into six thematic goals for students:
GOAL 1:听Strengthen written, oral, and multimodal communication abilities.
The two learning outcomes associated with this goal are for students to be able to write clear, correct, and effective prose as well as to be able to communicate with a variety of audiences in writing and speaking.
GOAL 2:听Build core skills of quantitative literacy.
The learning outcome under this goal is for students to have the ability and habit of mind to seek quantitative information and be able to apply it, using critical reasoning and analysis to solve algebraic problems and interpret results.
GOAL 3:听Develop a working knowledge of how scholars and artists think and act in fundamental areas of study.
The four learning outcomes under this goal are for students to articulate and apply the following:
- Concepts from the fine arts or performing arts
- Aesthetic, humane, and ethical sensibilities of the humanities
- Principles of human interactions of individuals, groups, and institutions
- Through experiment and observation, the basic principles that govern natural phenomena
GOAL 4:听Goal 4 is currently under revision.
GOAL 5:听Demonstrate critical thinking and ethical reasoning.
The learning outcome for this goal is for students to demonstrate听essential principles of critical thinking and ethical reasoning and apply them to the evaluation and construction of rational and moral arguments.
GOAL 6:听Gain the ability to synthesize, integrate, and apply knowledge developed throughout the undergraduate years.
The learning outcome for this goal is for students to be able to reflect upon and explain how they use the skills and abilities embodied in Goals 1 through 5 in completing an integrative project during their junior or senior year.
Goal 1
Strengthen written, oral, and multimodal communication abilities.
The two learning outcomes associated with this goal are for students to be able to write clear, correct, and effective prose as well as to be able to communicate with a variety of audiences in writing and speaking.
Learning Outcome 1.1
Upon reaching this goal, students will be able to write clear, correct, and effective prose, crafted to achieve a range of purposes and address a variety of audiences, incorporating and citing sources gathered from primary (observational) or secondary (bibliographic) research.
Learning Indicators for Learning Outcome 1.1:听To successfully achieve this outcome, students will complete these five indicators:
- Focus primarily on how to generate written texts, receiving explicit instruction in how to analyze audiences and rhetorical situations, how to follow the examples of model texts, and how to revise.
- Complete at least four substantial writing assignments and produce at least 5000 words of prose.
- Incorporate specific feedback into their writing, in order to help them revise and edit for clarity, force, and correctness.
- Critically analyze the effectiveness of written prose.
- Incorporate and cite sources gathered from primary (observational) or secondary (bibliographic) research in their writing.
Courses: The following courses meet the general education requirements for Learning Outcome 1.1:
| Course | Additional Outcomes | State Minimum Core |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL听10103 or ENGL听101H3 | No | English |
Learning Outcome 1.2
Upon reaching this goal, students will be able to communicate with a variety of audiences not only in writing but also by speaking and using a range of electronic and digital modes.
Learning Indicators for Learning Outcome 1.2:听To successfully achieve this outcome, students will complete these five indicators:
- Engage primarily in learning how to generate written, spoken, or multi-media presentations, receiving explicit instruction in how to analyze audiences and rhetorical situations, how to follow the example of model presentations, and how to revise.
- Complete at least 12 pages of prose collected in at least three assignments or at least three oral or multi-media presentations that last a total of at least 20 minutes or some combination of written, oral, or multi-media presentations that constitute a commensurate amount of student work.
- Integrate effective content to be presented in a written, oral, or multi-media presentation that is appropriate to a specific context, audience, and purpose.
- Incorporate specific feedback into written, oral, or multi-media presentations, revising and editing them for clarity, force, and correctness.
- Incorporate and cite sources gathered from primary (observational) or secondary (bibliographic) research in written, oral, or multi-media presentations.
Courses:听Any of the following courses will meet the general education requirements for Learning Outcome 1.2. Some majors may specify which course or courses to take:
Goal 2
Build core skills of quantitative literacy.
The learning outcome under this goal is for students to have the ability and habit of mind to seek quantitative information and be able to apply it, using critical reasoning and analysis to solve algebraic problems and interpret results.
Learning Outcome 2.1
Upon reaching this goal, students will have the ability and habit of mind to search out quantitative information, critique it, reflect upon it, and apply it in their public, personal, and professional lives; formulate decisions and problem solving based on critical reasoning and analysis; synthesize quantitative information from a variety of sources to solve problems and interpret results; perform and solve basic function operations, and solve algebraic problems using appropriate vocabulary.
Learning indicators for Learning Outcome 2.1:听To successfully achieve this outcome, students will complete these five indicators:
- Employ college-level algebraic concepts and tools
- Apply these tools to other subject areas and real-life problems
- Formulate and solve quantitative problems in mathematical terms, using appropriate tools and methods
- Use mathematical computation involving integers, rational numbers, algebraic expressions, decimals, ratios, percentages, roots, and powers
- Express quantitative and logical ideas with precision, using the language and notation of mathematics
Students who receive a score of at least 60 on the 闪播福利库 of Arkansas Math Placement Test, or a score of at least 26 on the math component of the ACT exam, or a score of at least 600 on the math component of the old SAT or 620 on the math component of the new SAT听have demonstrated successful completion of the learning indicators identified for learning outcome 2.1.
Courses:听Any of the following courses will meet the general education requirements for Learning Outcome 2.1. Some majors may specify which course to take:
| Course | Additional Outcomes | State Minimum Core |
|---|---|---|
| MATH听11003 | No | Mathematics |
| MATH听11103 | No | Mathematics |
Goal 3
Develop a working knowledge of how scholars and artists think and act in fundamental areas of study.
The four learning outcomes under this goal are for students to articulate and apply the following:
- Concepts from the fine arts or performing arts
- Aesthetic, humane, and ethical sensibilities of the humanities
- Principles of human interactions of individuals, groups, and institutions
- Through experiment and observation, the basic principles that govern natural phenomena
Learning Outcome 3.1
Upon reaching this goal, students will be able to articulate and apply concepts from one of the fine or performing arts.
Learning Indicators for Learning Outcome 3.1:听To successfully achieve this outcome, students will complete at least three of these five indicators:
- Synthesize the development over time of the fundamental concepts, principles, theories, and methods, creative practices and techniques of the visual and/or performing arts.
- Develop an understanding of how historical, social, cultural, and personal forces shape artistic communication and how the arts in turn share the diverse cultures of past and present societies.
- Respond critically to a variety of works in the arts, connecting the individual work in the creative discipline being introduced to other aspects of human thought and endeavor.
- Through written, oral, and/or graphic techniques of communication, analyze and interprets works of fine and performing arts using appropriate critical language, and identifying the visual, sensory, environmental, and psychological characteristics that they observe.
- Understand and use materials and resources available for participation in the arts in various roles.
Courses: The following courses are available to satisfy Learning Outcome 3.1. Some majors may specify which course to take:
| Course | Additional Outcomes | State Minimum Core |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH听10003 or ARCH听100H3 | 4.1 | Fine Arts |
| ARHS听10003 or ARHS听100H3 | No | Fine Arts |
| ARHS听20003 | No | No |
| ARHS听21003 | No | No |
| COMM听10003 or COMM听100H3 | 4.2 | Fine Arts |
| DANC听10003 | 3.2 | Fine Arts or Humanities |
| ENGL听20103 | 3.2 | Fine Arts or Humanities |
| LARC听10003 | 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1 | Fine Arts |
| MUSC听10003 or MUSC听100H3 | No | Fine Arts |
| MUSC听10103 or MUSC听101H3 | 1.2 | Fine Arts |
| MUSC听13303 | 4.2 | Fine Arts |
| PHIL听44003 | No | No |
| THTR听10003 | 3.2 | Fine Arts or Humanities |
| THTR听10103 or THTR听101H3 | 3.2 | Fine Arts or Humanities |
| THTR听12203 | No | No |
| WLLC听30303 or WLLC听303H3 | 3.2 | No |
| WLLC听30403 or WLLC听304H3 | 3.2 | No |
Learning Outcome 3.2
Upon reaching this goal, students will be able to articulate a minimum of three vital concepts of aesthetic, humane, and ethical sensibilities embodied in the humanities.
Learning Indicators for Learning Outcome 3.2:听To successfully achieve this outcome, students will complete at least three of these five Indicators:
- Identify fundamental concepts, structures, themes, and principles of the discipline being introduced
- Analyze texts and other created artifacts using theories and methods of the discipline
- Produce a reasonable short essay about the material introduced in the course
- Interpret texts and other created artifacts within multiple historical, intellectual, and cultural contexts
- Draw connections among cultural achievements of various groups of people of different ethnicities, religious backgrounds, racial origins, and sexual identities
Courses:听The following courses are available to satisfy Learning Outcome 3.2. Some majors may specify which course to take:
| Course | Additional Outcomes | State Minimum Core |
|---|---|---|
| AAST听20203 | 4.2 | Humanities |
| ANTH听10303 | 4.1 | Humanities |
| ANTH听40103 | 1.2, 3.3, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1 | No |
| ARAB听20106 or ARAB听201H6 | 4.1 | Humanities |
| ARAB听20203 | 4.1 | Humanities |
| ARCH听10103 | 4.2 | Humanities |
| CIED听45303 | 6.1 | No |
| CLST听10003 or CLST听100H3 | 4.1 and 5.1 | Humanities |
| CLST听10103 | 4.1 and 5.1 | Humanities |
| CLST听30103 or CLST听301H3 | 4.1 | No |
| CLST听30203 | 1.2 and 4.2 | No |
| COMM听12303 | 4.2 | Humanities |
| DANC听10003 | 3.1 | Fine Arts or Humanities |
| ENGL听11103 | 4.1 | Humanities |
| ENGL听11203 | 4.1 | Humanities |
| ENGL听12103 | No | Humanities |
| ENGL听20103 | 3.1 | Fine Arts or Humanities |
| FREN听20103 | 4.1 | Humanities |
| GNST听20003 or GNST听200H3 | 4.2 | Humanities |
| GREK听20103 | 4.1 | Humanities |
| HIST听11193 or HIST听111H3 | 3.3 and 4.1 | Social Sciences |
| HIST听11293 or HIST听112H3 | 3.3 and 4.1 | Social Sciences |
| HIST听20003 | 3.3 and 4.2 | Social Sciences or U.S. History/Government |
| HIST听20103 | 3.3 and 4.2 | Social Sciences or U.S. History/Government |
| HUMN听112H4 | 4.1 and 5.1 | Humanities |
| HUMN听22103 | 4.1 | Humanities |
| ITAL听20103 | 4.1 | Humanities |
| ITAL听21103 | 4.1 | Humanities |
| LALS听20103 | 4.1 and 4.2 | Humanities |
| LATN听20103 | 4.1 | Humanities |
| MRST听20103 | No | Humanities |
| MUSY听20003 or MUSY听200H3 | 4.1 | Humanities |
| PHIL听20003, or PHIL听200H3 | 5.1 | Humanities |
| PHIL听21003 or PHIL听210H3 | 5.1 | Humanities |
| PHIL听23003 | No | Humanities |
| SEED听41003 | No | No |
| SEED听42003 | No | No |
| SEED听44403 | No | No |
| SPAN听20103 | 4.1 | Humanities |
| THTR听10003 | 3.1 | Fine Arts or Humanities |
| THTR听10103 or THTR听101H3 | 3.1 | Fine Arts or Humanities |
| WLLC听30303 or WLLC听303H3 | 3.1 | No |
| WLLC听30403 or WLLC听304H3 | 3.1 | No |
Learning Outcome 3.3
Upon reaching this goal, students will be able to articulate and use the basic principles of human interactions 鈥� of individuals, groups, and institutions 鈥� in a variety of contexts.
Learning Indicators for Learning Outcome 3.3:听To successfully achieve this outcome, students will complete at least three of these five indicators:
- Articulate the key concepts, principles, and overarching themes to a social science discipline.
- Apply social scientific reasoning and techniques.
- Analyze theories, data, and methods of a social science discipline to explain individual, group, and institutional interactions.
- Apply critical thinking and use scientific reasoning to evaluate claims about the social world.听
- Integrate and use evidence-based theories to explain various types of human interaction through written and oral communication.
Courses:听The following courses are available to satisfy Learning Outcome 3.3. Some majors may specify which courses to take:
| Course | Additional Outcomes | State Minimum Core |
|---|---|---|
| AGEC听11003 or AGEC听110H3 | No | Social Sciences |
| AGEC听21003 or AGEC听210H3 | No | Social Sciences |
| AGLE听31503 | No | No |
| ANTH听10203 | 4.1 | Social Sciences |
| ANTH听40103 | 1.2, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1 | No |
| COMM听10203 or COMM听102H3 | 4.1 | Social Sciences |
| ECON听21003 | No | Social Sciences |
| ECON听21403 | No | Social Sciences |
| ECON听22003 | No | Social Sciences |
| EDST听20003 | No | |
| ENGL听21703 | No | No |
| HDFS听14003 or HDFS听140H3 | 4.1, 4.2 and 5.1 | Social Sciences |
| HDFS听24103 | 4.1 and 4.2 | Social Sciences |
| HDFS听26003 or HDFS听260H3 | 4.2 and 5.1 | Social Sciences |
| HIST听11193 or HIST听111H3 | 3.2 and 4.1 | Social Sciences |
| HIST听11293 or HIST听112H3 | 3.2 and 4.1 | Social Sciences |
| HIST听20003 | 3.2 and 4.2 | Social Sciences or U.S. History/Government |
| HIST听20103 | 3.2 and 4.2 | Social Sciences or U.S. History/Government |
| HIST听20903 | 4.1 and 5.1 | Social Sciences |
| HUMN听111H4 | 4.1 and 5.1 | Social Sciences |
| HUMN听211H4 | 4.1 and 5.1 | Fine Arts or Social Sciences |
| INST听20103 | 4.1 and 5.1 | Social Sciences |
| INST听211H4 | 4.1 | Social Sciences |
| JOUR听10203 | 5.1 | Social Sciences |
| PLSC听20003 | 4.2 | Social Sciences or U.S. History/Government |
| PLSC听20103 | No | Social Sciences |
| PLSC听21003 | No | Social Sciences |
| PLSC听28103 or PLSC听281H3 | 4.1 and 5.1 | Social Sciences |
| PSYC听20003 | No | Social Sciences |
| RESM听28503 or RESM听285H3 | 4.1 | Social Sciences |
| SEED听30803 | No | No |
| SEED听40603 | 1.2, 5.1 | No |
| SOCI听10103 or SOCI听101H3 | 4.1 and 4.2 | Social Sciences |
| SOCI听20103 | 4.1 and 4.2 | Social Sciences |
| STEM听20003 | 1.2 | Social Sciences |
Learning Outcome 3.4
Upon reaching this goal, students will be able to articulate and use, through experiment and observation, the basic principles that govern natural phenomena.
Learning Indicators for Outcome 3.4:听To successfully achieve this outcome, students will complete at least three of these five indicators:
- Identify the fundamental concept(s) unifying a scientific discipline
- Apply the principles of scientific theory and technique
- Evaluate the credibility and use of scientific information
- Make evidence-based arguments to support conclusions
- Integrate and organize information, concepts, and applications relevant in more than one scientific discipline
Courses: The following courses with corequisite laboratories are available to satisfy Learning Outcome 3.4. Some majors may specify which courses to take:
| Course | Additional Outcomes | State Minimum Core |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH听10143/ANTH听10141 | 4.2 | Science |
| ASTR听20003/ASTR听20001 | No | Science |
| BIOL听10004 | No | Science |
| BIOL听10103/BIOL听10101 | No | Science |
| BIOL听10104 | No | Science |
| BIOL听10303/BIOL听10301 | No | Science |
| BIOL听10503/BIOL听10501 | No | Science |
| BIOL听24003/BIOL听24001 | No | Science |
| BIOL听24103/BIOL听24101 | No | Science |
| CHEM听10003/CHEM听10001 | No | Science |
| CHEM听12103/CHEM听12101 | No | Science |
| CHEM听12283/CHEM听12281 | No | Science |
| CHEM听14103/CHEM听14101 | No | Science |
| CHEM听14203/CHEM听14201 | No | Science |
| ENSC听10003/ENSC听10001 | 5.1 | Science |
| ENSC听100H3 | 5.1 | Science |
| ENTO听10203/ENTO听10201 | No | Science |
| GEOL听11103/GEOL听11101 | No | Science |
| GEOL听11203/GEOL听11201 | No | Science |
| GEOS听11504 | No | Science |
| PHYS听10243/PHYS听10241 | No | Science |
| PHYS听10304 | No | Science |
| PHYS听10404 | No | Science |
| PHYS听10504 | No | Science |
| PHYS听20103/PHYS听20101 | No | Science |
| PHYS听20203/PHYS听20201 | No | Science |
| PHYS听20304 or PHYS听203H4 | No | Science |
| PHYS听20404 or PHYS听204H4 | No | Science |
Goal 5
Demonstrate critical thinking and ethical reasoning.
Learning Outcome 5.1
Upon reaching this goal, students will be able to demonstrate essential principles of critical thinking and ethical reasoning and apply them to the evaluation and construction of rational and moral arguments.
Learning Indicators for Learning Outcome 5.1:听To successfully achieve this outcome, students will complete at least three of these five indicators:
- Identify and describe key concepts and principles related to critical thinking.
- Explain and contrast competing ethical theories, each of which articulates at least one principle for ethical decision-making
- Use recognized principles of critical thinking or ethical reasoning to analyze, evaluate, and respond to rational and moral argumentation presented orally and/or in writing.
- Describe key fallacies and identify them in context.
- Demonstrate the use of recognized principles of critical thinking or ethical reasoning to construct complex rational and moral arguments orally and/or in writing.
Courses: The following courses are available to satisfy Learning Outcome 5.1. Some majors may specify which course to take:
| Course | Additional Outcomes | State Minimum Core |
|---|---|---|
| AGED听41203 | 1.2 | No |
| AMPD听40903 | No | No |
| ANTH听40103 | 1.2, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1 and 6.1 | No |
| ARCH听45203 | No | No |
| CATE听31003 | 4.1 and 4.2 | No |
| CLST听10003 or CLST听100H3 | 3.2 and 4.1 | Humanities |
| CLST听10103 | 3.2 and 4.1 | Humanities |
| DASC听21303 | No | Humanities |
| EDST听40003 or EDST听400H3 | No | No |
| ENGL听31003 | 1.2 and 6.1 | No |
| ENSC听10003/ENSC听10001 | 3.4 | Science |
| ENSC听100H3 | 3.4 | Science |
| HDFS听14003 or HDFS听140H3 | 3.3, 4.1 and 4.2 | Social Sciences |
| HDFS听26003 or HDFS听260H3 | 3.3 and 4.2 | Social Sciences |
| HIST听10001 | No | No |
| HIST听20903 | 3.3 and 4.1 | Social Sciences |
| HRDE听33303 | 1.2 | No |
| HUMN听111H4 | 3.3 and 4.1 | Social Sciences |
| HUMN听112H4 | 3.2 and 4.1 | Humanities |
| HUMN听211H4 | 3.3 and 4.1 | Fine Arts or Social Sciences |
| IARD听48203 | 1.2 | No |
| INST听20103 | 3.3 and 4.1 | Social Sciences |
| JOUR听10203 | 3.3 | Social Sciences |
| LARC听10003 | 3.1, 4.1 and 4.2 | Fine Arts |
| LARC听56103 or LARC听561H3 | No | No |
| NURS听37303 or NURS听373H3 | No | No |
| NURS听42033 | No | No |
| PBHL听32002 or PBHL听320H2 | No | No |
| PHIL听10103 | No | No |
| PHIL听20003 or PHIL听200H3 | 3.2 | Humanities |
| PHIL听21003 or PHIL听210H3 | 3.2 | Humanities |
| PHIL听22003 | No | Humanities |
| PHIL听31003 | No | Humanities |
| PHIL听42503 | No | No |
| PLSC听28103 or PLSC听281H3 | 3.3 and 4.1 | Social Sciences |
| SEED听40603 | 1.2, 3.2 | No |
| SPAN听41303 | 6.1 | No |
| SPAN听44403 | 6.1 | No |
| SPCH听10003 | 1.2 | No |
Goal 6
Gain the ability to synthesize, integrate, and apply knowledge developed throughout the undergraduate years.
Learning Outcome 6.1
Upon reaching this goal, students will be able to reflect upon and explain how they use the skills and abilities embodied in Goals 1 through 5 in completing an integrative project in their major during their junior or senior year.
Learning Indicators for Learning Outcome 6.1:听To successfully achieve this outcome, students will:
- Produce a significant written paper, as defined by his or her major, or an equivalent project incorporating performance and/or multi-modal text and/or images
- Explain in an additional document of at least 1,250 words the degree to which the completed assignment involves at least three of the following sets of skills and abilities:
- Written, oral, and/or multimodal communication abilities
- Quantitative literacy
- Characteristics of inquiry and action in the major and in one of the Learning Outcomes under Goal 3 besides the disciplinary area of the major
- Diversity awareness and/or intercultural competency
- Critical thinking and/or ethical reasoning
Courses:听The following courses are available to satisfy Learning Outcome 6.1. Each major program may specify which course or courses to take: