Policies & Procedures Manual

151

Policy No: 402.3

Policy Contact: Vice President for Instruction

Policy Title: COLLEGE-LEVEL COMPETENCIES FOR ASSOCIATE OF ARTS OR ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE The general education component is recognized as the foundation of learning in all programs. The graduate’s ability to achieve proficient levels in these six categories is essential for continued success at a four-year college. In addition to the general education core for Associate of Arts and Associate of Science, graduates must be able to demonstrate the following college-level competencies within the core: • Organize, develop, and present coherent ideas to meet the criteria for different writing contexts. Reading Comprehension • Identify the writer’s or speaker’s central purpose, ideas, and goals. • Distinguish between statements of fact and opinion. • Identify emotional, logical, and ethical arguments. • Analyze information and arguments in order to draw conclusions. • Read and follow complex written directions. • Interpret and apply information using visual materials (maps, charts, graphs, etc.) • Build vocabulary using context clues, word parts, and analogies. Computation • Apply mathematical concepts of measurement to solve a variety of real world problems. • Interpret, manipulate, and apply data accurately from tables, charts, and/or graphs in a manner that demonstrates knowledge of appropriate quantitative computations and mathematical methods. • Apply appropriate formulas for solving problems. • Produce mathematical models such as graphs, tables, and schematics. Oral Communication • Create a central message idea supported by accurate evidence. • Choose appropriate and effective organizational pattern. • Use nonverbal and verbal language appropriate to the audience and context. • Employ effective vocal and non-vocal delivery. Critical Thinking • Identify essential elements of an argument, including hypotheses, premises and conclusions, logical fallacies, exaggerated claims, unstated assumptions, analogies, and multiple points of view. • Evaluate arguments on the basis of consistency, validity, and strength of support. • Use given premises to reach related conclusions and recognize the scope of application of arguments. Information Technology • Demonstrate a working knowledge of computer basis by opening and closing a program; and by creating, saving, printing, renaming, and deleting files. • Perform basic word processing operations including creating, formatting, printing, and saving a document. • Demonstrate the ability to connect to the Internet to access resources, perform searches using multiple key words, copy and paste a link, and send an email with a file attachment. Written Communication • Use Standard American English.

(Added 2/12/08; Revised 2/10/09; Revised 11/10/15)