what counts as a writing enhanced course truman

What makes a liberal arts and sciences education relevant today?

Helping students to learn different ways to think critically and seek multiple perspectives is at the core of developing their toolbox, and is what makes a liberal arts and sciences education relevant today. The complexity of the problems within our own country and globally requires leaders and innovators that can build bridges and connections between multiple disciplines. The ability to adapt and incorporate multiple methodologies, sometimes from disparate areas, will breed innovation and solutions. The focus on developing a well-rounded, adaptable, and engaged individual that can respond to the need and changing dynamics of our global society is the current draw of a liberal arts education. In addition, innovation and bridge building is not just with ideas and concepts, but developing citizen-leaders, empathetic to understanding the human experience, and working to increase the participation of and advocacy for traditionally oppressed individuals in our democratic society. We are not just preparing graduates for the job they will have once they graduate, but we are preparing them for the roles they will have ten and twenty years down the road.

What is a liberally educated person?

A liberally educated person is capable of being both a consumer and a producer of statistical information with some basic level of competency. Students should be able to critically evaluate information in their professional and personal life (consumer) and to draw meaningful conclusions from data using basic statistical tools (producer). Through the completion of the Statistics requirement, students will:

What is self and society seminar?

In particular, the Self & Society Seminar focuses on awareness of one’s own identity, the origins of that identity, and the context in which it developed. It offers exploration of life purpose and meaning and of the relationships between self and others, self and environment, and self and ideas. This, in turn, encourages them to form a basis for intentional beliefs and actions and fosters an “empathetic understanding of human experiences at home and around the world. Consequently, students are grounded in the methods of critical, multidisciplinary, and intercultural thinking. Through completion of a Self & Society Seminar students will:

What is intercultural perspective?

(Approved March 30, 2006)#N#An intercultural perspective is more than the observation of cultural differences or a celebration of “exotic” food and clothing styles. Rather, a meaningful intercultural perspective arises from direct experiences with cultural diversity and cultural interactions. In a rapidly changing world, understanding cultural differences is important in fostering a perspective of global concern and acceptance of a range of cultural responses. We learn to thrive in diverse work and living environments. Our lives are enriched by the presence of diverse people and ideas. We become aware of the political and social significance of cultural differences. The exchange of ideas becomes multifaceted and complex when two or more cultural perspectives are engaged. A student who has successfully completed the intercultural perspective should be prepared to approach intercultural interactions with awareness and attentiveness.

What is the importance of studying a foreign language?

(Approved March 30, 2006)#N#The study of a foreign language opens the door to a new world of understanding of people, customs, literature, history and information, and is, therefore, a crucial element of the liberal arts. The ability to use a foreign language and to understand the culture of its speakers serves students well as they confront a world increasingly aware of its interdependency.

What is the importance of STEM in society?

The STEM Perspective provides experiences and knowledge to students so that they may better understand the important role STEM has played in producing the culture and lifestyle they currently have and to navigate the changes due to new discoveries and new technologies.