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Beginning in the Fall 2012 semester, the new Integrated General Education will be required for the Liberal Arts and Science and General Studies programs. The Integrated General Education core will replace the former General Education Modes in these programs.
The Integrated General Education Philosophy
Manchester Community College provides students with comprehensive skills and the knowledge to prepare them to deal with complexity, diversity, and change. Broad, foundational knowledge complements in depth achievement in program concentrations. By completing the 21 credits of general education required of all degree programs, students acquire the essential skills of reading and writing, critical and creative thinking, information literacy, quantitative analysis, integrative learning, and a beginning understanding of three knowledge areas.
Nine credits of the Integrated General Education core are devoted to the intellectual skills core. In English Composition, students learn and demonstrate reading, writing, and critical thinking skills that they continue to practice and develop in their college-level work and beyond. In Mathematics, students learn essential problem solving and techniques of quantitative analysis. In Interdisciplinary Studies, students learn the purpose of liberal education, reflect upon their own education, integrate the knowledge and methods of multiple disciplines, synthesize diverse and contradictory points of view, and interpret issues and positions contextually.
Twelve credits of the Integrated General Education core are devoted to gaining knowledge of the physical and natural world; of the human experience and behavior; and of human thought and expression. Students will understand and apply introductory methods of inquiry and analysis and demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental concepts, theories, works, or ideas within each specific knowledge area.
The Integrated Core
Intellectual Skills
Knowledge Areas
General Education Outcomes and Assessment
One or more common assessments for each General Education course will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Integrated General Education curriculum in meeting the three areas listed below:
- Evaluation of the stated course objectives in the standard course outline. (Discipline Specific Assignment(s))
- An evaluation of the student’s comprehension of an exemplary primary work in the discipline (an original source) in addition to the text in the class. (Exemplary Work Assignment)
- An evaluation of a substantive written assignment in the discipline. (Written Assignment)
General Education Outcomes
Upon completion of each General Education course, the student will be able to:
Knowledge Areas
- Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental concepts, theories, works or ideas within the specific knowledge area.
- Comprehend a substantive, exemplary written work in the specific knowledge area.
- Understand and apply introductory methods of inquiry and analysis in the specific knowledge area.
Critical and Creative Thinking
- Explore and comprehend issues, ideas, artifacts and events.
- Combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways.
- Assess or formulate an opinion or conclusion based upon the two previous outcomes in an innovative or imaginative way.
Information Literacy
- Evaluate information and its sources critically.
- Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose.
- Access and use information ethically and legally.
Written Communication
- Adhere to genre and disciplinary conventions.
- Provide clear organization and effective transitions between paragraphs and sentences.
- Use correct syntax and mechanics.
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