Purpose and Outcomes of General Education

Purpose of General Education

General education is the core preparation for lifelong learning. It fosters an intellectual curiosity that leads to exploration of the foundations and range of knowledge in the arts and sciences. The general education program encourages academic excellence, respect for self and others, the free exchange of ideas and responsibility to the community.

It is expected that every general education course at TCC will promote a learning environment in which students are afforded opportunities to participate actively in their learning. This is achieved through processes such as the following:

• The use of reading, writing, listening, speaking and/or other forms of self-expression
• Information gathering, synthesis and analysis for solving problems and in critical thinking (including the use of the library, electronic/computer and other resources, and quantitative reasoning and interpretation, as applicable)
• Engagement in cooperative learning, teamwork and/or use of collaboration as a problem-solving tool
• Participation in course projects, laboratory exercises and/ or service learning projects
• Class discussions

Associate in Arts General Education Learning Outcomes

Communications

• Students will demonstrate effective reading and writing skills by using appropriate strategies for a variety of rhetorical purposes and audiences.

Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning

• Students will identify and apply appropriate quantitative analytical methods to explain phenomena and generate effective solutions.

Critical Thinking

• Students will apply critical and creative thinking skills to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize ideas.

Global and Social Diversity

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of diverse perspectives and their influence on individual, social, historical, and political events or on cultural expression.

Information Literacy

• Students will demonstrate effective information literacy skills by locating, evaluating, and effectively and ethically using information to achieve an academic or professional purpose.