Key Features

Key Features of the new University Studies (GE) Program

• It is based on demonstrated student outcomes rather than seat time in courses.
• It uses an electronic portfolio to document the outcomes students achieve and encourages them to be responsible for their learning.
• Through the e-portfolio, it integrates assessment at every level.
• It creates a shared experience for students and faculty while providing students access to the full diversity of disciplinary and integrative options.
• It clearly links the university mission to the curriculum 
• It requires students to take 48 GE units (as does our current program) but creates greater flexibility for students and faculty.

Key Structures

Required Elements

The Required Elements are the foundation of the University Studies program, a visible representation of the university's mission and educational values. It provides a common educational experience for as many students as possible. It is the locus and organizing principle through which university events can support the core educational mission. 

Level 1: Literacies, Communication, and Community Engagement (6 units, linked to Composition courses)

Level 2: Ideas and Perspectives in a Complex World (6 units, integrative practices, international and multicultural perspectives)

Level 3: Integrated Problem Posing (9 units, Upper Division Interdisciplinary courses and/or Capstones, emphasis on team-teaching and experiential education as appropriate)

At each level, students will have courses to choose from each semester.  There will be shared elements chosen by a faculty committee for courses in Level I and Level 2, as well as different content emphases depending on faculty expertise.

University Studies Outcome Electives

These courses fulfill major prerequisites and ensure student access to the breadth of learning outcomes. Students fulfill their remaining GE units through these courses.
Programs offering these courses will specify which GE outcomes they will enable students to meet based on rubrics.  Many current GE courses will continue as part of the University Studies program, with greater and visible alignment with GE outcomes. Teams of faculty experts will be supported to devise rubrics for each GE goal and its outcomes and to evaluate course petitions to join the new program.

E-Portfolio

At each Required Elements level, students will receive assistance in assembling an e-portfolio keyed to GE learning outcomes. Once a professor approves student work as meeting an outcome, the student will add that work to the portfolio as evidence. Faculty must ensure that students who pass a University Studies course can produce work that meets the GE outcomes approved for the course.  Students may be able to meet more than one outcome through their work in a course. Furthermore, students will be allowed to meet a certain number of outcomes with evidence from outside of courses. Faculty teams expert in the outcome areas will evaluate student petitions to include outside work in their portfolios. Students who meet all of the GE outcomes prior to taking the required 48 units will create for themselves the flexibility to take minors, to double major, to deepen their preparation within a major, to pursue second language acquisition, or to develop skills and knowledge outside the major.