As a result of completing the Liberal Studies curriculum, an IUP graduate is an informed, empowered, and responsible citizen.
Informed Learners
Informed learners understand nature and society through forms of inquiry fundamental to the sciences, the humanities, and the arts. Learners are informed by knowledge and ways of knowing that extend beyond core concepts enabling them to link theory and practice.
Exemplars include, but are not limited to, those dimensions summarized in the table below.
| Informed Learners demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: | CLA+ | NSSE | Accreditation and Five-Year Program Reviews | Student Affairs Measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| the ways of modeling the natural, social, and technical worlds | x | |||
| the aesthetic facets of human experience | x | |||
| the past and present from historical, philosophical, and social perspectives | x | |||
| the human imagination, expression, and traditions of many cultures | x | x | ||
| the interrelationships within and across cultures and global communities | x | x | x | |
| the interrelationships within and across disciplines | x |
Empowered Learners
Empowered learners are critical thinkers who demonstrate intellectual agility and creativity and the ability to manage or create change. They are able to derive meaning from experience and observation. They communicate well in diverse settings and employ various strategies to solve problems. They are empowered through mastery of intellectual and practical skills.
Exemplars include, but are not limited to, those dimensions summarized in the table below.
| Empowered Learners demonstrate: | CLA+ | NSSE | Accreditation and Five-Year Program Reviews | Student Affairs Measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| effective oral and written communication abilities | x | x | x | x |
| ease with textual, visual, and electronically-mediated literacies | x | x | x | |
| problem solving skills using a variety of methods and tools | x | x | x | x |
| information literacy skills, including the ability to access, evaluate, interpret, and use information from a variety of sources | x | x | x | |
| the ability to transform information into knowledge and knowledge into judgment and action | x | x | ||
| the ability to work within complex systems and with diverse groups | x | x | ||
| critical thinking skills including analysis, application, and evaluation | x | x | x | |
| reflective thinking and the ability to synthesize information and ideas | x |
Responsible Learners
Responsible learners are engaged citizens of a diverse democratic society who have a deep sense of social responsibility and ethical judgment. They are responsible for their personal action and civic values.
Exemplars include, but are not limited to, those dimensions summarized in the table below.
| Responsible Learners demonstrate: | CLA+ | NSSE | Accreditation and Five-Year Program Reviews | Student Affairs Measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| intellectual honesty | x | x | ||
| concern for social justice | x | x | x | |
| civic engagement | x | x | x | |
| an understanding of the ethical and behavioral consequences of decisions and actions on themselves, on society, and on the physical world | x | x | x | |
| an understanding of themselves and a respect for the identities, histories, and cultures of others | x | x | x |