Program mission statement
The faculty of Saint Martin's University believes that a sound education
for all academic degree programs rests on a foundation of general education,
designed to expose students to diverse ways of thinking and to provide the
intellectual, spiritual and ethical base for meaningful, satisfying and
productive lives.
Program goals, objectives and outcomes
The mission of the University’s General Education Program leads to the
following goals and outcomes.
Knowledge
Provide students with a broad knowledge of human experience and the
natural world.
- Develop an understanding of the basic concepts, ideas and methods of
the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, with emphases upon
broad geographic and historical perspectives, cultural and linguistic
plurality, and scientific and aesthetic understanding.
Skills
Teach students to think critically and creatively, and to communicate
effectively.
- Develop proficiency in writing, reading, speaking and listening.
- Think critically and logically.
- Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate ideas and information.
- Develop an understanding of the role and application of
quantitative reasoning and methods to problem solving.
- Use technology to solve problems and to find and communicate
information.
- Approach intellectual challenges with a spirit of creativity.
- Design and conduct research, and communicate the results.
Encourage students to understand, integrate, and utilize knowledge across
disciplines.
- Use methods and approaches from several disciplines to
understand complex issues and solve problems.
- Explore diverse approaches to understanding human societies and
cultures and the natural world.
- Utilize skills, values, and methods that can be applied across
disciplines.
- Develop a holistic understanding of the interaction of the
various fields of human endeavor.
Dispositions
Challenge students to explore academic ideas and concepts within a
spiritual and ethical framework.
- Develop an understanding of philosophical, ethical and religious
concepts and principles.
- Understand the moral and ethical questions facing students in
the arts, sciences and professions.
- Clarify personal values and beliefs.
In accord with the Catholic Benedictine dedication to service, lead
students to understand the role of the individual within the larger
community.
- Develop a commitment to seek the common good as a citizen of
both the local and global community.
- Value hospitality and service to others.
- Demonstrate respect for persons and ideas, and appreciation for
the value of cooperation.
- Undertake a commitment to preserve and protect the natural
environment.