| Way of Knowing | Definition |
Foundations for Effective Learning and Communication | Fluency in reading, writing, and oral communication; mastery of the basic principles of logical, mathematical, and scientific reasoning; literacy in information resources; and social consciousness/diversity. |
Requirements Adopted 10/19/2007; modified 04/19/2024
Way of Knowing | Foundation course |
1. Reading/writing | W131 Reading, Writing and Inquiry I |
2. Oral Communication | S121 Public Speaking |
3. Information Literacy | W131 Elementary Composition I, |
4. Mathematical Reasoning | One course among the following: |
5. Scientific Reasoning | Natural science course with lab |
6. Diversity | One Course from courses approved under Diversity |
Learning outcomes - Adopted 01/16/2009
1. Reading and Writing
IU Northwest students will:- Read actively and critically, analyzing and evaluating a writer’s ideas and assumptions, use of illustrations, examples and evidence, and the effectiveness of the structure and style of challenging written texts.
- Analyze and evaluate the relationship between a writer’s central purpose in a text and the rhetorical means—ethical, emotional, and logical—used to advance that purpose.
- Use the writing process as a tool of inquiry to discover, explore, test, and develop ideas.
- Draft and revise written texts that provide readers with effectively organized and clearly integrated support—in the form of illustrations and examples, relevant and sufficient data, and other pertinent sources of information and ideas—of a well-formulated thesis.
- Incorporate the words and ideas of others correctly and effectively, as support of the text’s thesis.
- Edit written texts for clarity and appropriateness of style, precision of language, and correctness in grammar and punctuation, and adhere to the expectations of an appropriate documentation style.
2. Oral Communication
IU Northwest students will:- Demonstrate a clearly defined purpose through an effective delivery of oral presentations that manifest logical organization, proper grammar, appropriate word choices, and coherent sentence structure.
- Present a central idea, clearly reasoned arguments, and an audience-centered perspective that takes account of communicative differences across cultures.
- Engage in ethical practices that include citation of credible sources.
- Demonstrate effective use of media and technologies that enhance the presentation.
3. Information Literacy
IU Northwest students will:
- Determine the nature and extent of the information and the information sources needed.
- Access the information efficiently from a diverse set of information sources
- Evaluate the information sources critically and incorporate selected information into papers and projects.
- Utilize information sources ethically and effectively document and communicate acquired information to accomplish a specific purpose.
4. Mathematical Reasoning
IU Northwest students will:
- Use mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables to draw inferences.
- Represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically, and verbally.
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively use arithmetic, algebraic, geometric, logical and/or statistical methods to model and solve real world problems.
5. Scientific Reasoning
IU Northwest students will:
- Demonstrate the ability to identify and explain how scientific theories are formulated, tested, and validated.
- Demonstrate the ability to integrate and apply scientific methods which include defining parameters of problem, seeking relevant information, subjecting proposed solutions to rigorous testing, and drawing conclusions based on the process.
6. Diversity (LO adopted 10/17/2008)
IU Northwest graduates will:
- Demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity in a variety of contexts.
- Demonstrate understanding of the relationships between social structures, social justice, and human rights.
- Demonstrate understanding of racial minority experiences and diverse worldviews and the manner in which they shape U.S. culture and the world.