九色网

GenEd Goals and Learning Outcomes

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University Goals

• to provide outstanding undergraduate and graduate educational programs with innovative disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs across a range of subjects in the humanities, social and natural sciences, the arts, law, business, education and other subjects important for the education of a new generation of citizens and
  leaders in Central Asia and globally;
• to provide student-centered teaching and learning based on the American liberal arts and sciences tradition;
• to produce and disseminate research for the use and benefit of society;
• to promote civic engagement, community-based learning, and engaged research that contribute to the development of communities locally, regionally and globally;
• to develop and implement educational programs that will contribute to the social, political and economic development of Central Asia and across the globe and serve
  to foster mutually beneficial connections between the countries of Central Asia and with the broader international community;
• to serve as a beacon of intellectual freedom, academic honesty, and critical thinking, which inspires innovative approaches in higher education and prepares
  the next generation to thrive in the rapidly changing conditions in Central Asia and the world;
• to maintain and develop mutually beneficial ties to leading educational and research institutions in Central Asia and across the globe to provide educational
  and research opportunities for the University鈥檚 students and faculty, and also to gain access to world-class expertise, technologies and educational resources.

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About General Education

General Education or Core Curriculum is the foundation of the undergraduate degree because it fulfills the multi-disciplinary scope of the liberal arts tradition. The program helps students meet the general education requirements of both Bard College, Annandale NY, and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic. Students take courses in Arts and Humanities, Natural Sciences, Languages, Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Sports to add breadth and depth to their university education beyond their Major program.

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Benefits of General Education:

• Fulfill Major program requirements for General Education and Distribution according to Bard and Kyrgyzstani Ministry of Education curriculum guidelines
• Introduce students to a broader range of academic disciplines and skills through introductory and survey courses outside their Major program
• Provide students with the opportunity to explore and experiment with other academic programs in order to choose a Minor or double Major field of study
• Offer flexibility and freedom of choice in courses early in the undergraduate program
• Develop greater cultural awareness through language and literature
• Liberate the mind with the creative arts and liberate the body with performance and sport

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General Education Program Goals:

• Equip students with the ability to think critically, analyze complex issues, and evaluate evidence from multiple perspectives.
• Develop students' proficiency in articulating ideas clearly and persuasively through various forms of communication, including written, oral, and digital formats.
• Enable students to integrate knowledge across disciplines, recognizing the interconnectedness of different fields and applying this understanding to real-world problems.
• Prepare students to engage thoughtfully with diverse cultures and global issues, appreciating the complexity and diversity of the human experience.
• Provide students with the tools and methodologies to conduct rigorous research and solve complex problems effectively.
• Instill a sense of ethical responsibility and civic engagement, encouraging students to contribute positively to their communities and society at large.

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General Education Program Learning Outcomes:

听听听听听听听听听听听 The General Education Program is structured around six key content areas: Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Languages, Arts, and Sports. Each content area is designed to provide students with a comprehensive educational foundation and to develop and equip them with a diverse set of skills and knowledge that align with the broader goals of the University.

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Upon completion of GenEd courses, students will be able to:

• Transform foundational knowledge and skills from a broader range of academic disciplines through introductory and survey courses outside their major program.
• Develop the techniques, strategies, and methods of critical thinking and writing; apply oral and visual communication skills; and demonstrate fundamental proficiencies and language competencies.
• Construct the basic components of an argument, including premises, supporting evidence, assumptions, conclusions and implications through written and creative expression
• Assess and demonstrate strategies and techniques to develop health and wellness; and to apply how these will improve their wellness and impact their quality of life.
• Communicate ideas clearly and effectively in written, oral, and digital formats, tailored to diverse audiences and purposes.
• Apply interdisciplinary approaches to enhance understanding and problem-solving.
• Demonstrate an understanding of diverse cultural perspectives and global issues by respecting different viewpoints and recognizing their relevance to personal and societal contexts.
• Conduct research using appropriate methods and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data.
• Solve complex problems by applying research findings and evidence-based approaches.
• Evaluate complex problems and arguments using critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Construct reasoned and well-supported conclusions based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• Revise and edit communications to enhance clarity, coherence, and impact.
• Integrate knowledge and methodologies from multiple disciplines to address complex issues and generate innovative solutions.
• Reflect on ethical considerations and practice responsible decision-making in academic and community contexts.
• Cultivate a habit of lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity, seeking out new knowledge and skills throughout life.
• Adapt to changes and challenges in personal and professional contexts with a commitment to continuous growth.

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Core Curriculum:

First Year Seminar and Philosophy I& II

English Composition I & II

Second Year Seminar I & II

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First-Year Seminar (FYS) and English Composition (EC) are the pillar of the first-year experience and yearlong courses. In FYS, students will read and discuss texts and topics of philosophical, cultural and historical significance from a global perspective, reflecting the diversity of the 九色网 community. Students will be challenged and engaged to enter intellectual discussion with their faculty and each other about these texts as a way of generating critical interpretations, thoughtful ideas, and sound judgements on these texts in written form, verbal and creative expressions. In EC, students, working with the same professors and texts, will learn how to express their ideas in a logical and coherent manner in a succession of formal writing assignments aimed at providing them with the basic academic writing skills and competencies essential for a successful undergraduate career.

In the second year, students will take a semester-course in Second-Year Seminar from a variety of SYS courses. They are writing-intensive courses that build on the academic skills and practices introduced in FYS/EC. SYS courses engage students with literature and texts in a specific area of discipline or interest of the professor and provide them with the opportunity to deepen, share and interpret knowledge. Students will further improve intellectual inquiry and strengthen their critical writing and reading, research and other soft skills required for their career-building and lifelong learning.

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FYS/EC and SYS Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of these courses, students will be able to:

• Compose and craft clear, structured, and well-organized academic essays and papers based on textual evidence and synthesis of course material;
• Identify and construct the basic components of argument, including premises, supporting evidence, assumptions, conclusions and implications;
• Critically evaluate claims and cite sources for clarity, credibility, reliability, accuracy and relevance
• Analyze and integrate ideas and evidence into writing, ensuring proper citation (in MLA, APA, or Chicago) and adherence to academic writing standards
• Conduct and craft a thorough research paper using standard conventions of formal and critical writing
• Prepare and deliver individual oral presentations with the use of prior research on specific topic
• Formulate and articulate views and opinions based on autonomous and independent thinking about texts and sources
• Construct and communicate arguments with a clear thesis, coherent structure, and logical progression of ideas through written and oral formats.
• Revise and edit written work to enhance clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy.
• Interpret and critically engage with academic texts, identifying key arguments, evidence, and methodologies.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of different rhetorical strategies used by authors.
• Reflect on the ethical implications of arguments and evidence used in academic writing and discourse.
• Apply critical thinking and writing skills across various disciplines and academic contexts.
• Construct new knowledge and generate original ideas
• Identify and address complex problems through innovative thinking and scholarly research
• Analyze complex issues from multiple perspectives and contribute original insights and well-informed ideas to academic discussions.
• Demonstrate an awareness of diverse perspectives and the importance of ethical and rigorous scholarship.

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Humanities

Humanities courses allow students to pursue their interests while they explore a diverse range of human cultures, modes of thought, and bodies of knowledge. Students who take these courses are expected to express personal and societal values, and how they are influenced by cultural, historical, and intellectual traditions. These courses will help students to recognize the diversity of human experiences and perspectives across different cultures and historical periods.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of these courses, students will be able to:

• Analyze and interpret significant literary and visual texts, artworks, and cultural artifacts from various humanities disciplines.
• Craft well-organized and coherent essays, presentations, and projects that demonstrate clear and persuasive arguments using humanistic, artistic, and critical inquiry
• Evaluate diverse perspectives and arguments presented in humanities works.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the historical, cultural, and social contexts that shape and are shaped by human experiences.
• Apply appropriate research methodologies and critical approaches to investigate questions and problems in the humanities.
• Reflect on ethical issues and dilemmas presented in humanities works, considering diverse moral and philosophical perspectives.
• Explore and express creative ideas through various humanities mediums, such as literature, visual arts, music, and performance.

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Social Sciences

Social sciences courses in this cluster will allow students to gain understanding of historical and socio-cultural perspectives and a critical view of the evolution of societies and the various modes of interaction among peoples of the world. This understanding is essential for contributing to, and living in, a contemporary society.

听听听听听听听听听听听 Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of these courses, students will be able to:

• Identify and explain foundational concepts, theories, and methodologies in the social sciences.
• Analyze social phenomena using appropriate theoretical frameworks and research methods.
• Interpret and synthesize data and evidence to draw informed conclusions about social issues.
• Conduct research using qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed methods to investigate social questions and construct clear, coherent, and evidence-based arguments.
• Apply social science theories and methods to real-world problems and policy issues and communicate social science concepts and findings effectively through written, oral, and digital means.
• Recognize and reflect on ethical issues in social science research and practice.
• Integrate knowledge from various disciplines to enhance understanding of complex social issues.

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Natural Sciences

听听听听听听听听听听听 Natural Science courses provide students with the scientific inquiry and systematic study of natural processes, mechanisms, and consequences of human intervention in those processes using the language and concepts of science. These courses engage students to explore subjects about the structure and function of the complex systems that constitute the physical universe, and to understand the relation of technological progress to advances made in the natural sciences.

听听听听听听听听听听听 Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of these courses, students will be able to:

• Describe the processes and phenomena that govern the natural world and environmental systems and explain fundamental concepts, principles, and theories in the natural sciences.
• Evaluate scientific claims and evidence using critical thinking and analytical skills and apply the scientific method to formulate hypotheses, conduct experiments, and gather data.
• Utilize quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze data and solve scientific problems.
• Integrate knowledge from various scientific disciplines to address complex issues and challenges.
• Recognize and reflect on the ethical considerations and environmental impacts of scientific practices and technological developments and promote responsible use of natural resources and sustainable practices.
• Identify and explain the role of natural sciences in addressing global challenges, such as climate change, health crises, and resource management.
• Evaluate the impact of scientific advancements and discoveries on society and the environment.

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Arts

Courses in this category enable students to recognize and articulate the interrelationships between literary, visual, and performing arts, and how these disciplines intersect with broader cultural and historical narratives. Students will explore texts, topics, and themes that will engage them critically with artistic works, formulating and expressing informed responses to their form, content, and aesthetic qualities.

听听听听听听听听听听听 Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of these courses, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to interpret and analyze various forms of art, utilizing critical thinking skills to explore personal, aesthetic, cultural, and historical perspectives.
• Exhibit an understanding of the cultural and historical contexts in which artistic works are created and received, recognizing the influence of these contexts on the interpretation and value of art.
• Develop and refine their own creative processes, producing original artworks that reflect individual expression and technical proficiency.
• Acquire and effectively use disciplinary vocabulary, concepts, and methodologies pertinent to the major art forms, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of artistic principles and practices.
• Articulate how the literary, visual, and performing arts reflect and shape human experiences, contributing to a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and societal values.
• Demonstrate awareness of the ethical and social responsibilities associated with artistic creation and critique, fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for the appreciation and practice of art.
• Cultivate a lifelong engagement with the arts, recognizing the ongoing value of artistic exploration and participation in enriching their lives and communities.

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Sports

Sports courses instill and promote the value of sports and physical activity as essential components of a balanced and fulfilling life. These courses prompt students to demonstrate proficiency in fundamental skills, techniques, and strategies across a range of sports and physical activities. Sports courses help students to assess and reflect current trends and issues in sports, considering their ethical, social, and cultural implications.

听听听听听听听听听听听 Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of these courses, students will be able to:

• Identify fundamental concepts, rules, and principles related to various sports and physical activities.
• Analyze individual and team performance to identify strengths and areas for improvement and apply appropriate strategies and tactics during gameplay and competition.
• Communicate effectively with teammates, coaches, and other stakeholders to promote teamwork and achieve common objectives.
• Collaborate in team settings to develop leadership skills and foster a positive sporting environment.
• Exhibit an understanding of fair play, sportsmanship, and ethical behavior in all sporting activities.
• Advocate for the importance of physical activity and sports in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle within the community.
• Recognize and respect the diverse backgrounds and abilities of individuals in sports and physical activity settings.

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Languages

In a culturally diverse world, language courses play an essential role in providing students with communicative skills in world languages and cultural knowledge expertise, thus, expanding multi-cultural awareness and perspectives that is pivotal for them to function effectively as global and engaged citizens. They enable students to facilitate understanding between and among diverse cultures on the campus and equip students with experiential learning opportunities locally and globally. These courses recognize that knowledge and skills of world languages and cultures is a valuable tool for personal and professional growth.听

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of these courses, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency and competencies in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
• Exhibit an understanding of linguistic concepts, fundamentals of phonetics, semantics, and morphology and syntax, as well as pragmatic and sociolinguistic aspects
• Demonstrate awareness of key similarities and differences between their own cultural practices and perspectives and the ability to express divergent cultural viewpoints clearly and accurately in speech and writing.
• Communicate and articulate knowledge of major literary, artistic, and cultural works and figures associated with language societies.
• Integrate language proficiencies, intercultural competencies, technology skills, and critical modes of thinking and expression to effectively perform tasks typical of today鈥檚 globalized work environment, including professional communications, translation, and project collaboration.

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