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The Pursuit Curriculum Liberal Arts Coordinator: A. Heikens Mission: The relevant & responsive liberal arts curriculum is the heart of a Franklin College education. An education that nurtures personal and professional development. The program is designed to provide a breadth of experience in the liberal arts while preparing students to think critically; communicate effectively; apply knowledge and skills; solve problems; and reflect on events, actions, and behaviors in a rapidly changing world. The curriculum scaffolds foundational skills yet permits each student to design a learning experience that best suits individual needs, strengths, and interests. Student Learning Outcomes of the Relevant and Responsive Liberal Arts Curriculum: The curriculum offers a developmental and experiential liberal arts program of study. As a result of engaging in this learning experience, students will: Demonstrate discernment, Apply learning, and Express ideas clearly. These overarching outcomes will be measured via five key student behaviors: 1. Employ critical thinking By developing the ability to think critically, students habitually explore many facets of an issue, idea, artifact, composition, piece, study, and/or event before accepting an opinion or formulating a conclusion. 2. Communicate effectively Effective communication ensures that students present information clearly resulting in enhanced knowledge or understanding. 3. Evaluate issues and systems of personal and public concern This evaluation allows students to engage with and reflect on policies, philosophies, issues, and systems, governmental and non-governmental, that guide society and empower students to act for the public good. 4. Apply knowledge of global contexts As students apply knowledge of global contexts, they demonstrate the ability to examine and explore multifaceted global challenges and their historical roots. 5. Solve problems Today’s ambiguous environment requires student to adapt to constantly changing problems and parameters. Problem solving requires students to explore alternatives, break complex components into understandable pieces, and implement tested strategies to answer complex questions.
