General Education Learning Outcomes

Encourage students to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required of all educated individuals.

The general education learning outcomes encourage students to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required of all educated individuals. These outcomes are achieved as a result of successful completion of the general education requirements for any degree program. The 12 general education learning outcomes at Harper College are grouped into five significant areas: communication, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, technology and diversity. The outcomes state that upon completion of a degree program, the student should be able to:

Written and Oral Communication

Communicate effectively and persuasively in writing.
Speak and listen publicly, in both formal and informal contexts.
Demonstrate appropriate selection of topic and materials, clear organization, comprehensive research, effective presentation, and the ability to adapt to audience, setting and occasion.
Demonstrate proficiency in academic reading by understanding, analyzing and evaluating readings from a variety of textual sources.

Quantitative Reasoning

Use quantitative analytical skills to process, interpret and evaluate problems.

Critical Thinking

Objectively identify and evaluate issues, positions and supporting evidence.
Recognize and critically examine their own viewpoints.
Frame ideas within a larger context.

Technology Comprehension

Identify, research, assess the credibility of and effectively use electronic sources.
Demonstrate proficiency in the uses of a variety of standard computer technologies and software specific to their field of study.

Diversity and Cross-Cultural Awareness

Interact respectfully with persons of diverse cultures.
Identify cross-cultural issues, ideologies and the contributions that people of diverse backgrounds bring to a multicultural world.