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Competencies
A Competency-Based Education: Global Perspective, Critical Thinking, Aesthetic Response. What does
the ability to use these skills contribute to a degree in Integrative
Studies? New Century College believes that a successful undergraduate education
requires more than an ability to master complex bodies of knowledge.
Throughout their years as undergraduates, INTS students pursue excellence
in nine competencies, each one essential to the transfer of knowledge
from classroom practice to real-life problems. Learning communities
and courses in New Century College incorporate several competencies
imaginatively into the curriculum. Students demonstrate their growing
mastery of the competencies through assignments, projects, reflection,
self-assessment and the creation of semester-end and graduation portfolios.
A description of each competency follows:
1.
Communication
Communication is the process of creating and sharing meaning through
human interaction. A competent communicator will be able to:
- Speak, read,
write and listen effectively.
- Understand
and communicate to diverse audiences and their contexts.
- Use appropriate
language, nonverbal and visual symbols.
- Organize strategically
ideas and information.
- Design, revise
and produce work tailored to diverse audiences.
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2.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and critically,
using reason and experience to form considered judgments. Someone who
is a good critical thinker will be able to:
- Distinguish among facts, opinions and inferences.
- Analyze and summarize arguments.
- Synthesize ideas from multiple sources.
- Find connections among diverse ideas, facts and experience.
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3.
Strategic Problem-Solving
Strategic problem solving is the ability to form an effective plan to address a defined problem. A student who excels in this competency will be able to:
- Recognize multiple ways to solve problems.
- Learn how to
define problems and the situations that lead to them.
- Formulate strategies
tailored to different situations.
- Implement plans,
display flexibility and evaluate effective strategies.
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4.
Valuing
Valuing is the capability to articulate, support and revisit one’s
own values through self-knowledge and reflective practice. Valuing includes
the ability to:
- Understand
how actions are shaped by values.
- Recognize the
moral dimensions of decisions and accept responsibility for the
consequences.
- Understand
and appreciate that there are multiple value systems and analyze
the underlying beliefs that inform them.
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5.
Group Interaction
Group interaction means collaborating effectively with others. Groups
are often able to achieve more than individuals in time, expertise,
and learning. Effective group interaction means that students should
be able to:
- Create shared
understanding and expectations.
- Understand
and choose roles and tasks.
- Make decisions
and track progress collaboratively.
- Negotiate consensus,
compromise and conflict.
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6.
Global Understanding
Global Understanding is the respect for and appreciation of the interconnections
among systems on the planet. Global understanding includes the ability
to:
- Respect different
perspectives and ways of knowing that are based on cultural, ethnic,
religious, and geographical differences.
- Comprehend
the way in which technology has treated a small world, politically,
socially, economically and culturally.
- Appreciate
the interconnectedness of the local and global communities.
- Understand
various life forms and the environment.
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7.
Effective Citizenship
Effective citizenship means the development of an informed understanding of communities and the roles and responsibilities of individuals within those communities. Effective citizens will:
- Develop the
ability to examine contemporary issues and their historical contexts.
- Recognize the
value of multiple perspectives in civic life.
- Make informed
choices regarding personal community involvement, social justice
issues and leadership roles.
- Make an effort
to be informed and educated on issues affecting their communities.
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8.
Aesthetic Awareness
Aesthetic awareness expands an individual’s concept of art beyond
the museum to include music, poetry, literature and dance, as well as
elements of design in culture. An aesthetically aware person can:
- Understand
the historical, social, political, environmental or gendered contexts
of specific works of art.
- Recognize the
transformative nature of art, which can effect societal change.
- Develop criteria
to support intellectual and emotional responses to nature or created
works.
- Appreciate
the complex processes of artistic creation.
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9.
Information Technology
In the information technology competency students will understand, know
how to use, and make choices regarding new and existing information
and information technology. Because the use of information, computer,
and Internet is throughout professional and civic life, competence in
information technology and literacy is essential to success. A student
skilled in the use of information technology will be able to:
- Choose technology
appropriate to an activity.
Master the use of common computer and Internet technology.
- Learn new technologies
confidently and independently.
- Locate, evaluate
and use information.
- Understand
the ethical policy and accessibility issues associated with information
technology.
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