International Studies at Aquinas College
Student Learning Outcomes
- Interdisciplinary Competency:
- Effectively demonstrate awareness of the interdisciplinary nature of global issues by taking courses in a variety of disciplines;
- Research and Critical Thinking Competency:
- Effectively apply reading, writing, critical thinking, and analytical skills to address significant issues in a global context;
- Effectively undertake original, independent, and interdisciplinary research on an international topic. Complete and defend a well-researched thesis / project;
- Effectively evaluate and apply diverse perspectives to complex international dynamics including multiple and conflicting positions (i.e. ethical, disciplinary, cultural);
- Effectively describe and analyze the impact of international events and systems at the regional, national, and local levels;
- Problem Solving Competency
- Effectively initiate meaningful interaction with other cultures to address significant global problems;
- Effectively develop the tools to take informed and responsible action to address ethical, social, and environmental challenges in global systems and evaluate both micro and macro consequences of individual and collective actions and interventions;
- Language and Cultural Competency:
- Develop a working knowledge of a foreign language and effectively interact therein;
- Effectively demonstrate knowledge of another culture via cultural immersion to understand socio-cultural aspects such as religion, politics, daily life, family structures, culinary habits, values and ethics, etc…;
- Ideally this takes place through a semester-long study abroad program
- Interpersonal Competency:
- International Studies students should develop skills for interacting with those from different cultural, ethnic, socio-economic, and religious backgrounds in an effort to truly become global citizens.