Each general education course at Santa Fe is expected to address one of six learning outcomes. The table below describes these six outcomes and the competencies associated with them in greater detail.
Communication
Demonstrate effective reading, writing, speaking, listening, and nonverbal communication skills (Communication A & B HUM State Core Group 2, Hum College Core Group 2). Attributes associated with attaining this outcome include the ability to:
Communication Critical Attributes
- Recognize an author's main idea and organizational strategies; understand the impact of an author's word choice, style, expository strategy on a written text;
- Present information in college-level, multi-paragraph essays that follow the rules and conventions of Standard Written English;
- Articulate (orally) ideas and concepts;
- Listen to and/or receive information without bias and verify through critiques, feedback forms, reaction papers.
For oral communication (Humanities A - SPC 2608):
- Deliver subject matter/content through the use of voice and body language;
- Present information and evidence in an accurate, appropriate and integrated manner;
- Articulate (orally) ideas and concepts;
- Listen to and/or receive information without bias and verify through critiques, feedback forms, reaction papers, etcetera;
- Write using correct grammar, organize subject matter and develop ideas coherently.
AACU Written Communication Rubric
AACU Oral Communication Rubric
Critical Thinking
Demonstrate the skills necessary for analysis, synthesis, evaluation, decision-making, critical and creative thinking, and the creative process (Humanities State Core, College Core, Group 1 and Social Sciences Group 1). Attributes associated with attaining this outcome include the ability to:
Critical Thinking Critical Attributes
- Analyze data/information/substantive content relevant to an issue/problem;
- Synthesize data/information/substantive content relevant to any issue /problem; and
- Evaluate data/information/substantive content (e.g., drawing conclusions, solutions or making decisions).
Scientific Reasoning
Understand scientific concepts and reasoning and analyze and interpret various types of data(Natural Sciences State Core Group 1 & 2, College Core Group 1 & 2). Attributes associated with attaining this outcome include the ability to:
Scientific Reasoning Critical Attributes
- Deductive and inductive inferences,
- Controlling variables,
- Use of the scientific method (gather, analyze, and synthesize data relevant to a problem),
- Application of a model to a new situation,
- Interpretations based on fundamental theories,
- Interpretation of data in both tabular and graphical form, and
- Application of specialized knowledge to a different or larger context.
Quantitative Reasoning
Understand and apply mathematical concepts and reasoning and analyze and interpret various types of data (Mathematics State Core and College Core).
Quantitative Reasoning Critical Attributes
- Analyze/interpret quantitative data verbally, graphically, symbolically and numerically.
- Communicate quantitative data verbally, graphically, symbolically and numerically.
- Appropriately integrate technology into mathematical processes.
- Use mathematical concepts in problem-solving through integration of new material and modeling.
Information Literacy
Collect, verify, document, and organize information from a variety of sources (Research & Analysis). Attributes associated with attaining this outcome include the ability to:
Information Literacy Critical Attributes
- Collect information relevant to an issue/problem using methods and sources suitable to the discipline
- Verify or evaluate the accuracy, authority, bias, currency, and sufficiency of collected evidence applicable to an issue/problem
- Document sources by following a system of citation appropriate to the discipline
- Organize collected information in a coherent, unified, and logical manner
AACU Information Literacy Rubric
Global-Socio-Cultural Responsibility
Demonstrate an understanding of diversity/pluralism in the world community, and an awareness of civic and social participation and ethical and informed decision-making multicultural & Global (Awareness). Attributes associated with attaining this outcome include the ability to:
Global-Socio-Cultural Responsibility Critical Attributes
- Analyze data/information/substantive content relevant to diversity/pluralism in the world;
- Synthesize data/information/substantive content relevant to diversity/pluralism in the world; and
- Use data/information/substantive content related to diversity/pluralism in order to
- draw conclusions,
- propose solutions, and/or
- make decisions
