Undergraduate Program Learning Objectives

Dornsife academic departments are guided by faculty developed learning objectives. These objectives provide direction for instructors as they plan curriculum and conduct classes. This focus ensures a strong educational experience for Dornsife majors and minors as they point to the skills and knowledge students will acquire as a result of their programs of study. For further information, contact the undergraduate directors in these academic units.

Knowledge of the changing theoretical and empirical debates in the study of such central areas of society as race, class, gender, sexuality, religion, culture, and media and how such scholarly debates impact the study and analysis of social issues.

An understanding of the diverse peoples and cultures that have composed the United States and the Americas and critical perspectives on the cultural and material practices and historical processes that have shaped this country and this part of the globe in its regional, ethnic, class, and gender diversity.

Ability to contextualize the lived experience in the United States within comparative, relational, and transnational frameworks to seek a broader, more encompassing analysis of social issues that have an impact on multiple regions of the globe.

Knowledge of a range of theoretical frameworks in the field and the ability to evaluate empirical evidence in order to analyze social issues in society and be a critical reader of published research.

Ability to communicate effectively and engage in academic debates around the analysis of social issues through expository writing, the design of presentations and the development of public speaking skills to deliver them, and/or creative practice.

As an interdisciplinary major, knowledge of the research methods used in the humanities and social sciences, and the development of a research project utilizing the appropriate methods carried out under faculty supervision.

Application of knowledge through the completion of an internship and/or participating in public service in an area specially related to the fields of study.
Demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts, questions and theoretical approaches in the traditional four subfields of anthropology: Biosocial, Cultural, Archeology and Linguistics.

Apply anthropological concepts to the description and analysis of behaviors, performances, artifacts, images and texts.

Perform ethnographic research [aka do field work] in at least one of the subfields of Anthropology. Our program emphasizes the use of methodologies of visualization in ethnographic, archeological and biosocial studies of microbehavior.

Acquire skills in critical thinking and expository writing based on logic, evidence and intercultural understanding.

Learn abilities necessary to successfully operate and negotiate across cultural differences.
Understand the various methods of research used to study cultural and social differences

Earn the research skills necessary to conduct a course of study across geographical, ethnic, or ideolgoical boundaries

Gain extensive firsthand experience of the global issues of a city, country, or region from studying abroad

Be able to conduct an independent project in a selected field of interest

Ability to demonstrate the complexity of political, religoius, and economic considerations in the comparative study of globalization

Train for careers in government, healthcare, NGOs, climate change, energy policy, law, journalism, and business
Demonstrate a familiarity with a wide range of artistic objects from both the Western and non-Western traditions.

Analyze the formal qualities of a work of art and situate it in a variety of historical and social contexts.

Develop persuasive arguments about works of art based on historical and formal evidence.

Assess the importance of scholarly interpretations of art objects based on an understanding of both the specific histories of interpretation of that object and the broader methodological trends employed within the discipline.

Cultivate, through exposure to a range of artistic objects and cultural traditions, a greater appreciation for and tolerance of diversity in today’s world.
Develop an integrated understanding of biological systems, their sustainability, and resilience to changing environments.

Develop the ability to accurately and ethically apply the scientific method, including forming hypotheses, designing experiments to test hypotheses, as well as collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting data within biology.

Develop the ability to use quantitative reasoning and critical thinking to solve problems within biology, including the use of statistics, computational algorithms, modeling and simulation.

Develop the ability to communicate biological science both orally and in writing.

Develop an understanding of other sciences, including physics and chemistry, to help explain biological processes and to enable communication and collaboration with other disciplines.

Develop an understanding of the relationship between science and society, especially how science can contribute to the understanding of ethical and moral dilemmas within society, including biological conservation and climate change.
Knowledge and Comprehension – Master basic knowledge fundamental to the field of chemistry in accordance with the expectations set forth by the American Chemical Society through course work in general, organic, inorganic, analytical, physical and biological chemistry.

Knowledge and Comprehension – Be able to identify and locate current, reliable and accurate sources of scientific information and data, and understand their contents in areas which are not directly covered by the degree program as basic knowledge.

Application and Analysis – Employ knowledge content defined in A (Knowledge and Comprehension) to analyze at the molecular level issues of practical applications or relevant societal needs, including those that are not directly covered by the degree program as basic knowledge.

Application and Analysis – Apply core chemical knowledge, information and data defined in A (Knowledge and Comprehension) to identify the essential elements of a problem or a challenge at the molecular level. Design a scientific and rational scheme to generate data and collect reliable information that may not already be available in order to solve the problem or challenge at hand. Utilize the knowledge, information and data gathered to formulate a scientifically sound strategy to solve the problem or challenge.

Evaluation and Judgment – Be able to design rational criteria and a scientifically sound strategy to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution developed in B (Application and Analysis).
Have an understanding of the historical and cultural development of Greek and Roman civilizations in the broader context of the ancient Mediterranean world

Demonstrate familiarity with key texts, ideas, and physical remains of Greek and Roman antiquity

Gauge the relevance of classical studies to at least one other culture, discipline, or historical period; and, in particular, evaluate the legacy and influence of classical thought and culture in contemporary discourses, whether political, moral, aesthetic, scientific, ecological, humanist, post-humanist, etc.

Know how to use research materials and apply scholarly and theoretical perspectives to independent study of Greek and Roman language, literature, and culture

Be able to read texts of prose and poetry in Greek or Latin (or both) and to understand and to make use of major scholarly resources for the study of classical philology such as lexica, commentaries, grammars, and similar
Broad knowledge of a literary tradition

Interpret a literary text or other cultural artifact in a non-native target language and to develop advanced skills in order to compare texts

Cultivate a complex, transdisciplinary understanding of literary texts, cultural artifacts, and diverse media

Consider the role of translation in the production of textual and cultural meaning

Think critically about the relations between literature and other modes of cultural production

Think historically about the multiple ways in which globalization affects contemporary culture

To analyze literature and the arts as sites of resistance

To develop the critical skills to write longer research papers

To develop the skills to move among and between diverse cultures
Observations – development of observational and analytical skills, including quantitative and mapping skills, as well as exposure to laboratory, field, and research techniques

Scientific Method – development of scientific reasoning including hypothesis formulation and testing, model development and application, and statistical analysis, as well as capacity for critical evaluation of information

Scientific communication – development of skills in written, oral, visual communication, including investigation and citation of relevant literature

Geosystems – development of systems perspective to solving complex problems, generally and as applied to specific components of the Earth system and how these components interact, with an understanding of the importance of time and spatial scales
Foundational Language & Cultural Knowledge: Students develop competency in one of the three East Asia languages (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) and gain familiarity with the country’s cultural traditions from the ancient to contemporary periods.

Interpretive & Analytical Skills: Students acquire critical tools to interpret and analyze literature, film, and other forms of culture and media and engage critically with West-centered theoretical paradigms by examining their applicability to the East Asian context.

Regional & Transnational Understanding: Students develop an understanding of transnational issues and trends across the East Asian region, thus deepening one’s insight into both the intraregional dynamics and the region’s linguistic, historical and current relationship to other parts of the world.

Cross-Disciplinary Thinking: Students cultivate the habit of thinking across disciplines—literary studies, film studies, art history, religious studies, linguistic studies, history, gender and ethnic studies and more—in order to achieve a holistic understanding of East Asian cultures and societies.

Expository & Rhetorical Skills: Students learn to express their opinions and perspectives on foreign or East Asian cultural texts in logical, articulate, and culturally aware language, both verbally and in writing.

Applied Practice/Research: Students practice and apply the above skills and knowledge in formulating an independent research project and/or professional internship.
Knowledge of and ability to apply methods of critical and social analysis from anthropology, sociology, international relations, political science, economics, literature, arts, and/or history to the study of East Asia.

Ability to apply interdisciplinary methods to the analysis of East Asian cultures, politics, and societies.

Ability to analyze both primary and secondary source readings by identifying the main argument or thought, placing it in context, and interpreting it critically based on the logic and evidence presented.

Ability to analyze the interplay between human action and institutions and organizations in East Asia, either historically or in the contemporary world.

Knowledge of the key facets of East Asia’s place in our globalized world and the ability to analyze the influence of globalization in East Asia.

Ability to identify strategies and choices East Asian countries have made in pursuing economic, political, and social development.

Fourth semester or better competence in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean language.
Skills: To enhance fundamental skills: critical thinking, clear communication, and persuasive writing.

Concepts: To gain understanding of fundamental concepts of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory.

Statistics: To attain knowledge of relevant statistical methods (e.g., probability theory, random variables and probability distributions, sampling, estimation, and statistical inference), and to gain experience and expertise in the application of these methods to the analysis of economic problems.

Econometrics: To attain knowledge of relevant econometric methods (e.g., regression analysis, hypothesis testing, and forecasting), and to gain experience and expertise in the application of these methods to the analysis of economic problems.

Applications: To develop the capacity to apply economic theory to understand and shape social practices, public policy, financial marketplaces, and business models.
Appreciation for the relations between representation and the human soul

Appreciation for the relations between words and ideas

Appreciation for the social utility of a sophisticated understanding of discourse
Study narrative and its structure from the perspective of several disciplines

Develop and evaluate original content for novels, visual media, theatre, and other narrative platforms

Recognize professional opportunities beyond the roles of author, screenwriter or playwright

Recognize a good story, to critique, help shape, realize and transform it

Understand the history of narrative, cross-cultural and contemporary models, and the broader context of popular culture

Realize that effective narratives in new media are apt to emerge from an earlier medium

Understand the variety of current platforms while concentrating on the techniques of construction common to them all

Coordinate studies in humanities with studies and practices in fine arts

Integrate perspectives and methodologies from different fields

Design an individual and thematic curriculum

Engage in self-directed research

Identify and develop an independent research project

Work with scholars in different disciplines who share a common academic interest
Facility with the range of foundational disciplines of environmental studies including geosystems, biology, chemistry, economics, geography, philosophy, urban planning, political science and international relations and the ability to use them to approach complex environmental problems at local to global scales

Apply quantitative reasoning skills, technical knowledge, and laboratory and field survey methods to environmental problems including basic calculations, detection of cause and effect patterns, the use of statistical methods in data analysis, and technical expertise acquired through experiential learning activities;

Critically evaluate the science and/or policy surrounding the sustainability of water, soil, forest, food and energy resources and mitigation of climate change in order to determine solutions to these societal problems at local to global scales;

Examine environmental issues through the lens of environmental ethics and environmental justice, with consideration of diverse perspectives and varied effects on communities;

Familiarity with the human and natural environment of Southern California, including its water and energy needs, air quality, marine and coastal issues, and local sustainability policies;

Communicate effectively about complex environmental problems in writing and orally and do so for both specialist and general audiences;

Work and learn effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team on complex problems involving multiple competing stakeholders and agendas, and also at field stations, or in remote study sites.
Proficiency in the Target Language: To achieve advanced proficiency in the target language in all four skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking)

Communication Skills: To attain fluency in written and oral forms of expression; to be able to communicate, in a nuanced and appropriate way, in a variety of settings; to be able to comprehend and to develop complex ideas, in written and spoken contexts,

Cultural and Historical Knowledge: To attain broad- based knowledge of French- and Italian-speaking cultures and their histories, from a variety of critical points of view, with special attention to the place of literature and the arts in socio-cultural contexts; this knowledge should include a general understanding of literary history, an appreciation of the diversity of Francophone and Italophone societies, and a familiarity with the economic and political structures of the social groups in question, alongside some comprehension of the systems of thought that have shaped these structures,

Understanding of Identity Through Language, Literature, and Culture: To arrive at an understanding of the relationship between language and the production of identity (across cultures), and to be able to articulate the specific work done by literary texts— among other cultural objects—within this framework,

Textual Analysis and Critical Thinking: To develop advanced skills in critical thinking, as demonstrated in particular through written textual analysis in the target language, as well as through other forms of critical production (including multimedia forms),

Global Contexts and Cross-Cultural Debates: To develop comprehension of the significance of French and Italian texts in global contexts, including the key roles played by these texts in cross-cultural debates,

Advanced Writing and Research: To be able to write a longer research paper in the target language, displaying clear knowledge of research protocols (including conventions of attribution and citation), on a topic of literary and/or cultural relevance; this paper should show some awareness of current conversations in the discipline of French or Italian literary study, as well as of the possible contribution of the paper to these conversations.
Feminist Knowledge Production: Interdisciplinary questions of how and within what power relations knowledge is produced, evaluated, and legitimized; one of the bedrock elements of Gender and Sexuality Studies

Intersectionality: Analytical, multi-level approach to engaging the ways in which gender and sexuality are mutually constitutive as well as constitutive of other categories such as race, ethnicity, disability, class, religion, age, and citizenship status

Queer and Transgender Theory: Interrogation of the fluidity of identity and the possibilities for contestation and re-articulation

Justice, Equality, and Power: Engages dialogue between theory and praxis that emerges from social movements, scholarship, and artistic production about access, opportunity, injustice, inequality, and power relations

Transnationalism: Focuses on the relations between the Global North and the Global South and the impact of these relations upon questions of gender and sexuality equality

Decoloniality: Approach to understanding the world in dialogue with earlier theories of post-colonialism
A knowledge of human actions and behavior in different societies across time and space, with a concentration on one time, place, or idea.

Skill in evaluating individuals, societies, organizations, cultures, and cultural expressions on their own terms across time and space.

Skill in reading texts, images, and artifacts.

Ability to research and to evaluate evidence in historical context.

Skill in critical thinking and expository writing based on logic and evidence.

An understanding of how the knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired from historical studies make it possible to negotiate the contemporary world.

Preparation for a wide variety of professions and post-graduate programs and professional schools.
General Skills and Breadth – Develop the ability to manage one’s time, work independently, take initiative, and collaborate.

General Skills and Breadth – Develop the ability to think critically, analyze, synthesize ideas and concepts, and use information to solve problems.

General Skills and Breadth – Acquire broad knowledge in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, to understand the relevance of these disciplines to the human sciences.

General Skills and Breadth – Develop the ability to communicate social science and science concepts orally and in writing.

Research Skills – Understand and apply the necessary skills to humanistic and legal research, including forming questions, analyzing primary and secondary texts, collecting datam, and interpreting conclusions

Research Skills – Understand the nature of empirical evidence in historical and legal researhc, and assess the usefulness of different types of evidence in explaining the specific social phenomena; become cognizant of the ethical issues of conducting research into evolving human subjects like history, law, and culture.

Ethics and Society Knowledge – Be able to apply the social sciences and the humanities through differen theoretical and analytical perspectives.

Ethics and Society Knowledge – Be able to understand the use of interdisciplinary study for increasing human knowledge.

Professional Development – Develop the breadth of knowledge and skills for effective self-reflection, project-management, teamwork readiness and career preparation. Students will concentrate on the development of work habits and ethics to succeed in academic and workplace settings. The skills developed at the baccalaureate level will provide readiness for post baccalaureate employment, graduate school, or professional school.
Biological Knowledge: Identify, locate and describe the structure/fucntion of cells, their subcellular components, tissues, organs, and organ systems of the human body

Cross-Disciplinary Connections: Apply cross-disciplinary scientific principles to explain how human operate, adapt or evolve

Independently and collaboratively apply scientific knowledge as well as analytical and experimental skills to produce integrative original work

Analyze, synthesize and criticize primary articles. Use discipline-related criteria to identify which opinions can be accepted, rejected or need further study.

Formulate testable hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, present interpretations of results and articulate reasoned conclusions to solve real-world and conceptual problems

Safely and properly use scientific equipment, biological systems and specimen, software, databases, statistical, mathematical and computational tests.

Use relevant sources of scientific evidence to construct a well-supported, logical argument, explain it to others, and apply it for the resolution of ethical, sociocultural, and envirnmental issues

Discuss the interplay and relative influence of biology and social context on dimensions of human diversity and health.
Substantive knowledge of the core concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and global institutions in International Relations, together with a general knowledge of our four (4) main subfields: International Political Economy, International Politics & Security Studies, Foreign Policy Analysis, and Culture, Gender & Global Society.

Ability to apply theoretical knowledge to International Relations problems and their solutions, including potential actions by governments, international organizations, firms, NGOs, and citizens.

Competence in social scientific inquiry, including critical & analytical thinking, research design, and qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Foundational understanding of ethical and social responsibilities in a globalized world, developed through study abroad and foreign language competence, service learning and civic engagement (both local and global), and an appreciation of diversity including race, ethnicity, gender, development levels, culture and world views (among others).

Effective communication skills (writing, oral and interpersonal) through writing and presenting information clearly and persuasively.

Professional development through the application of international relations-specific content and skills, effective self-reflection, teamwork skills, and career preparation and networking.
To understand the global reach and import of the nations in the Americas, Europe, and Africa in which Spanish and Portuguese are spoken;

To learn to read and interpret actively and analytically, to think critically and creatively, and to write and speak persuasively;

To develop writing, oral, and reading skills in literary, cultural, and socio-political contexts;

To learn to think critically about the cultural, political, and historical questions involved in the study of Latin American and Iberian societies

To learn how the study of language, literature, and cinema intersects with other disciplines in the humanities and social sciences to create the spheres of culture, society, and politics

To understand the process of formation and change of personal, collective, and national identities in the context of Latin American and Iberian cultures against the backdrop of a global context, and its relevance, ethical implications, limitations, and challenges in the 21st century

To learn to evaluate ideas from multiple perspectives and to formulate informed opinions on complex issues of critical importance in today’s global world vis-à-vis the multiple local cultures of which it is made
To understand the global reach and import of the nations in the Americas, Europe, and Africa in which Spanish is spoken;

To understand central linguistic, social, and cultural concepts as applied to the Spanish language and the places where it is spoken;

To understand advanced linguistic, social, and cultural concepts as applied to the Spanish language and to questions of multilingualism and multiculturalism as applied to the Americas and the Iberian Peninsula;

To identify, articulate and put to varied practical use the linguistic and semantic structures of the Spanish language;

To learn to think critically about the Spanish language in its linguistic, cultural, political, and historical manifestations;

To become aware of language in its cultural, social, and political diversity and its application to the many spheres of life;

To learn to evaluate ideas from multiple perspectives and to formulate informed opinions on complex issues of critical importance in today’s global world vis-à-vis the multiple local cultures of which it is made.
Understanding the Generative Linguistics Program

Developing knowledge of broad range of sub-fields of theoretical linguistics

Practical applications of knowledge of research methodology

Developing skills in oral and written communication and the presentation of scientific materials
Precision of thought

The logical development of argument

Deep and insightful understanding of material

The need for justification of statements

The art of recognizing patterns in diverse situations and areas

Ability to abstract general principles from specific situations

Appreciation of the structure and beauty of the subject

The power of its applications
Offer foundational knowledge of the geography, cultures, and history of the Middle East and North Africa.

Offer rigorous interdisciplinary training in a range of social science and humanities approaches from history, economics, political science, geography, and international relations to literary and cultural criticism.

Develop critical thinking skills that enable the student to place recent and current regional events in context.

Enhance students’ ability to question non-scholarly accounts of the region’s past and present. (Communication)

Deliver firm grounding in at least one of the region’s languages: 4th semester proficiency in Arabic, Hebrew, or Persian.

Train students to conduct informed research on the Middle East.
Reading: Students will learn to independently read and comprehend philosophical texts, so as to identify and state the central theses of these texts, and to reconstruct the key arguments in the texts.

Evaluating: Students will learn to critically evaluate arguments, uncovering their hidden assumptions and assessing the soundness of the premises and the logical relations between the premises and the conclusion.

Arguing: Students will learn to defend their own point of view by formulating valid arguments and anticipating and responding to objections.

Writing: Students will learn to communicate effectively in speaking and in writing, demonstrating clarity, precision and rigor.

Breadth: Students will learn foundational knowledge about broad areas of Philosophy.

Depth: Students will gain deep, detailed understanding of some narrow topics in Philosophy, engaging with contemporary scholarship.
Subject-Specific Knowledge – Proficiency in the basic fields of physics, and appropriate selected areas of application

Subject-Specific Knowledge – Working knowledge of a variety of classical and modern experimental and theoretical techniques

Subject-Specific Skills – Ability to solve advanced problems in physics and astronomy using appropriate mathematical tools

Subject-Specific Skills – Competence in the use of basic laboratory equipment and the ability to master new techniques and equipment

Subject-Specific Skills – Skill in modeling fundamental physical behavior and selecting appropriate computational tools to successfully test the accuracy of such models

Subject-Specific Skills – Ability to plan and execute, under supervision, an original experiment or investigation

Subject-Specific Skills – Ability to analyze experimental results critically and draw appropriate conclusions

Key Skills – Research a topic and make effective use of appropriate resources

Key Skills – Work independently and in collaboration with colleagues

Key Skills – Draw appropriate conclusions from experiments and other investigations

Key Skills – Communicate complex scientific ideas concisely and accurately
Substantive knowledge of core concepts in Political Science and a general knowledge of one or more of the four main sub-fields: (1) American Politics, (2) Comparative Politics, (3) Law and Public Policy, (4) Political Theory.

An understanding of normative political theories and empirical political theories.

Basic competence in qualitative and quantitative research methods.

A familiarity with diversity, which includes (among other things), race, ethnicity, gender, and immigrant status, as well as cultures and nationalities other than their own.

The development of critical thinking and a refined set of skills in analytical thinking, problem-solving, persuasiveness and academic writing.

Ability to conceive, research and write a major research paper while using qualitative and/or quantitative research methods through an upper division course or, for our best students, through our honors sequences (for freshmen and sophomores: POSC 190; for juniors and seniors, POSC 391 and 392).

Familiarity with practical politics and personal experience through internships and/or various forms of civic engagement.
Knowledge Base in Psychology – Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology

Knowledge Base in Psychology – Develop a working knowledge of psychology’s content domains

Knowledge Base in Psychology – Describe applications of psychology

Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking – Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena

Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking – Demonstrate psychology information literacy

Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking – Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving

Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking – Interpret, design, and conduct basic psychological research

Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking – Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific inquiry

Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World – Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice

Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World – Build and enhance interpersonal relationships

Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World – Adopt values that build community at local, national, and global levels

Communication – Demonstrate effective writing for different purposes

Communication – Exhibit effective presentation skills for different purposes

Communication – Interact effectively with others

Professional Development – Apply psychological content and skills to career goals

Professional Development – Exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation

Professional Development – Refine project-management skills

Professional Development – Enhance teamwork capacity

Professional Development – Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation
Develop an understanding of the biological sciences.

Develop an understanding of the physical sciences, including chemistry and physics.

Develop an ability to use quantitative skills associated with computer science, statistics, and mathematics.

Develop the ability to integrate biological sciences, physical sciences, and quantitative skills to solve large scale modern problems in biology.

Develop the ability to communicate science both orally and in writing.

Develop an understanding of the relationship between science and society.
General Skills – Work at the exciting intersections of the many disciplines used to study religion: history and art history; archaeology, literary and textual studies; religious law and theology; sociology, anthropology, and psychology; regional and international studies; gender, race and ethnicity; and philosophy.

General Skills – Think critically, write clearly, and argue effectively.

General Skills – Evaluate the arguments of others judiciously.

General Skills – Contribute to solutions of some of the most vexing problems facing human communities by analyzing complex social, historical, and textual phenomena thoughtfully and with nuance.

General Skills – Gain confidence in public speaking and communication.

Research Skills – Practice designing research projects that synthesize evidence from a variety of disciplines and sources.

Research Skills – Learn the bibliographical tradition in the study of particular religions. Draw on a variety of different perspectives, theories, methods, and technologies (including archival research online or in institutional settings) in constructing compelling and relevant research projects.

Religious and Cultural Literacy – Develop a fluency in major world traditions, their core beliefs and practices, their primary spheres of influence, and their thematic and other continuities and discontinuities from the pre-modern past to the modern present.

Religious and Cultural Literacy – Explore themes and issues that cut across the world’s religious traditions, such as ritual, belief, pilgrimage, canon, sacred, and asceticism.

Religious and Cultural Literacy – Acquire insight into the ways in which studying religious thought and practice sheds light on broader cultural patterns in human societies. How can religion help us understand history, art, philosophy, literature, and film, alongside the events that pop up in the headlines each day?

Religious and Cultural Literacy – Analyze the roles that religious ideas and practices have played and continue to play in politics and law, race and gender relations, economics, international affairs, business, science, and medicine, and how those fields of human inquiry have shaped and continue to shape religious communities.

Ethics, Law, and Society – Explore the blurred lines between religion and law, paying attention to how religions develop their own legal practices and how state laws are shaped by religion.

Ethics, Law, and Society – Analyze the ways in which religious traditions have both contributed to ethical thought and introduced ethical problems.

Ethics, Law, and Society – Delineate the issues surrounding religious accommodation in contemporary legal scenarios.

Ethics, Law, and Society – Explain why awareness of and sensitivity to religious and cultural diversity is necessary in civic, legal, medical, and business situations, and take action to foster such awareness and sensitivity.
Foundational Knowledge: Recognize the material foundations of human experience and the unique possibilities offered by archaeology for understanding humanity across time and space.

Advanced Knowledge: Gain insight into cultures other than one’s own and develop historical perspectives on the contemporary world.

Communication Skills: Write and speak clearly and persuasively in communicating ideas about archaeology to various communities and audiences.

Critical Thinking: Be able to gather and synthesize information from diverse, usually fragmentary, and often ambiguous data sources.

Ethical Decision-Making: Possess an awareness of ethical issues inherent in archaeological research.

Interpersonal Skills: Develop the ability to collaborate and interact in discussions, debates, and the evaluation of alternative perspectives on and interpretations of archaeological data.

Advanced Knowledge: Demonstrate an understanding of key theoretical and methodological trends in archaeology.
Participate actively in most informal and some formal conversations in Russian

Handle the Russian linguistic challenges presented by an unexpected turn of events in the context of a routine situation

Provide a short, structured argument in support of an opinion

Read and discuss authentic contemporary texts dealing with topics in Russian culture, politics, and society

Differentiate and appraise the major periods in Russian cultural history (medieval Russia, Petrine Russia, Imperial Russia, Soviet Russia, post-Soviet Russia)

Evaluate critically important texts from each period

Assess key theories of Russian cultural identity and interpretive controversies in the history of Russian culture

Analyze literary and historical texts (in Russian and in translation)

Distinguish key periods and issues in Russian literary history (especially from the nineteenth century onward)
Develop a sociological imagination; acquire an understanding of the connections between the individual and social institutions, social policy, and social change

Demonstrate an awareness of diverse human experiences, including but not limited to issues of race, class, gender, sexuality, citizenship, and age, and how these experiences are shaped by structural and cultural forces

Understand the nature of empirical evidence and assess the usefulness of qualitative and quantitative evidence in explaining the causes and consequences of specific social phenomena; become cognizant of the ethical issues of conducting research involving human subjects; create and test hypotheses based on social theories;

Conduct, analyze, and describe the results of research using written, oral, and multimedia platforms.
Understand roots of the social, political, cultural and economic problems NGOs aim to solve, including the many ways that people have tried to understand and solve social problems.

Develop fluency in varied research methods to understand how NGOs work in social, political, cultural and economic environments; conduct research project by volunteering in an NGO.

Analyze different theoretical perspectives’ varied ways of understanding social problems and multiple approaches to understanding how people make change happen.

Assess organizations’ varied strategies for trying to solve social problems and gaining the power to create change at the individual, grassroots group, city, nation, global levels.
Foundational knowledge in the physical sciences, including biology and chemistry, to prepare students for study within fields of health.

Quantitative reasoning skills to interpret research results.

Understand how social, demographic, psychological, cultural, economic, and ethical factors influence health.

Understand medicine as a social institution and the social processes involved with providing and receiving health care.

Develop awareness of the causes and consequences of health disparities locally, nationally, and globally.

Experiential learning within an internship experience to understand the community contexts of health and wellness.
General Skills and Breadth – Develop the ability to manage one’s time, work independently, take initiative, and collaborate.

General Skills and Breadth – Synthesize and analyze information to identify geospatial problems and devise solutions related to a variety of societal issues.

General Skills and Breadth – Explain key concepts in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and physical sciences, and illustrate the relevance of a multi-disciplinary approach to geodesign solutions at the intersection of spatial sciences, architecture, and planning through the application of these disciplines in the design process.

General Skills and Breadth – Communicate evidence-based ideas and articulate positions orally and in writing.

General Skills and Breadth – Apply a variety of geospatial technologies via differing software and hardware platforms.

Scientific and Design Skills – Explain the myriad ways in which places can be constructed, interpreted, and experienced by different peoples (i.e., migrants, people of color, the elderly, the poor, teenagers, toddlers, working adults, individuals with special needs, and more)

Scientific and Design Skills – Illustrate how principles of design can be used in building healthy, livable, and sustainable communities.

Scientific and Design Skills – Demonstrate how urban and regional planning provides a framework for promoting civic engagement and collective action.

Scientific and Design Skills – Demonstrate how geographically reference referenced data can be gathered and organized to support a large number and variety of collaborative projects.

Scientific and Design Skills – Critique how geospatial data can be analyzed, modeled, and visualized to inform design and planning and by doing so, support public participation and urban development.

Scientific and Design Skills – Analyze how form and function co-exist and evolve in urban settings and how globalization connects near and far-away places and actions.

Ethics / Society – Evaluate spatial and geographic knowledge into an ethical context, especially how spatial sciences and
geodesign principles can contribute to the resolution of ethical, social, and environmental issues.

After Graduation – Develop a sufficient depth of knowledge and abilities in preparation for entry-level employment in a wide variety of fields, or for graduate study in the spatial sciences or other related disciplines.
Practice managing one’s time, working independently and collaboratively, and taking initiative

Synthesize and analyze information to identify geospatial problems and devise solutions related to human security

Explain key concepts from humanities, social sciences,
mathematics, and physical sciences, and illustrate the relevance of these disciplines to human security and geospatial intelligence at the intersection of the spatial sciences, international relations, and public planning

Communicate evidence-based ideas and articulate positions orally and in writing

Apply a variety of digital and online geospatial applications
including remote sensing applications and geographic information systems

Illustrate how the principles and applications of geospatial
intelligence can be used in building healthy, livable and secure communities

Determine how geographically referenced data can be gathered
and organized to support a large number and variety of collaborative projects

Critique how geospatial data can be visualized, analyzed, and
modeled to inform human security and planning, and by doing so, support international and national security requirements

Analyze how various societies co-exist and evolve in human security settings and how globalization connects near and far-away places and actions

Ethics/Society: Evaluate spatial and geographic knowledge from an ethical perspective, especially how spatial sciences and human security principles can contribute to the resolution of ethical, social, and environmental issues

After Graduation: Develop a sufficient depth of knowledge and
abilities in preparation for entry-level employment in a wide variety of fields, or for graduate study in the spatial sciences or other related disciplines
Ability to think across disciplines, to not be constrained by the methods and concepts of any one approach.

Develop a love of language, an appreciation for the power of the written and spoken word.

Ability to deal with ambiguity