General Education
for Degree-Seeking Students
General Education is defined at North Idaho College as a series of learning experiences that
provide the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for individuals
to function well in society. These learning experiences are designed for
all students, but for degree-seeking students in particular.
In pursuing a degree at NIC, the expected general education learning outcomes of the degree
programs are expressed through a framework of nine
"abilities." NIC believes these abilities will contribute to
the development of individuals who are active, productive, and
personally-fulfilled members of a highly diverse, ever-changing society.
The expected student learning outcomes for each ability are described below and are listed
under each degree requirement heading on the following pages.
- Critical/Creative Thinking and
Problem Solving:
The student will demonstrate the ability to analyze and evaluate
information and arguments, and construct a well-supported argument.
The student will select or design appropriate frameworks and
strategies to solve problems in multiple contexts individually and
corroboratively.
- Communication:
The student will recognize, send, and respond to communications for
varied audiences and purposes by the use of reading, writing,
speaking, and listening.
- Mathematical, Scientific and
Symbolic Reasoning:
The student will demonstrate the ability to apply mathematical and
scientific reasoning to investigate and solve problems.
- Historical, Cultural,
Environmental and Global Awareness:
The student will demonstrate the ability to think globally and
inclusively with a basic understanding of key ideas, achievements,
issues, diverse cultural views, and events as they pertain locally,
nationally, and globally.
- Aesthetic Response:
The student will demonstrate the ability to recognize the elements
of design, the unifying element, context, purpose, and effect of
craftsmanship and artistic creations.
- Social
Responsibility/Citizenship:
The student will demonstrate awareness of the relationships that
exist between an individual and social groups, private/public
institutions, and/or the environment, the nature of these
relationships, the rights and responsibilities of these
relationships, and the consequences that result from changes in
these relationships.
- Information Literacy:
The student will develop the ability to access information for a
given need, develop an integrated set of skills (research strategy
and evaluation), and have knowledge of information tools and
resources.
- Valuing/Ethical Reasoning:
The student will demonstrate the ability to apply what one knows,
believes, and understands toward developing an empathetic and
analytical understanding of others’ value perspectives. The
student will incorporate valuing in decision-making in multiple
contexts.
- Wellness:
The student will demonstrate an understanding of the factors that
contribute to physical, emotional, psychological, occupational,
social, and spiritual well-being, life-long learning, and success.
