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2024-25 Undergraduate Catalog
Doane Core Connections
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Philosophy of the Undergraduate Core at Doane
The undergraduate experience at Doane is an immersive, collaborative environment, a community of students, faculty, and staff, that motivates students to take responsibility for their ongoing academic and personal growth. It is a defining experience that serves as a catalyst for students to develop intellectual skills, to build connections among diverse sources of knowledge, and to adapt their liberal education to serve and to lead at all levels of social, civic, and professional citizenship.
Essential Student Learning Outcomes of the Undergraduate Core through the liberal arts, students will
Understand foundational areas of knowledge. Students will learn to
- analyze how identity is formed through the interaction of the individual and society;
- apply basic strategies of mathematical thought to solve problems;
- communicate purposefully, effectively, and precisely;
- analyze the foundations of the contemporary world and the interconnectedness of cultures;
- apply scientific methodologies to and articulate the scientific context of issues they will confront as citizens;
- explore the complexities of the creative process; and
- evaluate the ways in which humans understand the meanings of existence.
Develop crucial intellectual skills. Students will learn to
- engage in discovery;
- gather and evaluate facts and assumptions;
- support conclusions with relevant evidence; and
- practice effective communication.
Build connections of knowledge across various disciplines. Students will learn to
- synthesize knowledge across foundational areas and specialized studies;
- develop creative and imaginative insights and expressions; and
- apply and integrate knowledge collaboratively to solve complex problems.
Adapt their liberal education to serve and to lead at all levels of citizenship. Students will learn to
- pursue a refined, empathetic understanding of a multifaceted world;
- orient their own ethical compasses to act accordingly; and
- engage with people of varying perspectives to build just societies.
Important complementary habits of an intellectual and balanced life will be developed through the depth and breadth of their entire collegiate experience - curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular. Specifically, students will learn to
Communicate effectively
- practice effective oral communication in order to increase knowledge, foster understanding, and/or promote change in the listener’s attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors;
- practice effective reading in order to extract and construct meaning through interaction and involvement with written language; and
- practice effective writing that is context appropriate in order to develop and express ideas to convey meaning to an intended audience.
Use information wisely
- use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively to support individual and group learning;
- demonstrate insightful thinking to ask questions and construct knowledge, using information resources and techniques to conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, or make informed decisions; and
- understand the cultural, ethical, and societal issues related to the creation and use of information.
Pursue a healthy lifestyle
- examine the factors that promote or inhibit a healthy lifestyle to maximize individual potential;
- engage in a self-examination of their own behaviors and attitudes; and
- develop and apply insights and skills to live a healthy, balanced, and impactful life.
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Components of the Undergraduate Core 33 credit minimum
Foundational Areas of Knowledge 21 Credits
Community and Identity 3 credits
Students will gain a greater understanding of themselves and the communities in which they live and work, and how identity is formed through the interaction of the individual and larger society. Students will work to
- explore dimensions of human experience with regard to perceptions of self,
- understand how individuals interact to form communities and social structures, and
- analyze the practical and ethical implications of interactions between individuals and those social structures.
Mathematical Reasoning 3 credits
Students will learn basic strategies of mathematical thought in order to analyze complex scenarios, make connections, solve problems, explain conclusions, and think more effectively. Students will work to
- analyze and model mathematical situations using a variety of techniques to solve problems effectively,
- communicate a clear understanding of conclusions, and
- apply mathematical systems of thinking.
Rhetorical Communication 3 credits
Doane students will use language purposely and effectively to become more thoughtful communicators, more keenly aware of what they are doing and why in each phase of the communication process. Students will work to
- analyze rhetorical context and operate accordingly in oral and/or written communication,
- support a clear thesis/position with appropriate evidence and analysis in a focused and organized way
- demonstrate that effective communication is a process.
Global and Cultural Context 3 credits
Doane students will gain a greater understanding of the foundations of the modern world and interconnections of global cultures. Students may address complex questions about race, gender, nationality, religion, law, economics, business and/or politics in order to understand multiple cultural perspectives. Students will work to
- understand the evolution and development of cultural frameworks in the context of historical, political, social, religious, economic, and/or legal structures,
- interpret intercultural experiences from the perspectives of more than one worldview and demonstrate the ability to appreciate other cultures beyond their own experience, and
- create a refined empathetic understanding of a multifaceted world.
Scientific Perspectives 3 credits
Doane students will gain a greater understanding of scientific thinking and applications using core ideas in courses that include laboratory or field experience. Students will consider the complexities of scientific methodologies in one or more disciplines of the natural sciences, the scientific context of issues they will confront as informed citizens, and the scientific impact on the global community. Students will work to
- employ methods of science for inquiry in a scientific discipline,
- develop their scientific literacy and ability to critically evaluate scientific information, and
- consider the ethical and social implications of scientific study and use of scientific findings.
Human Creativity 3 credits
Doane students will understand the complex layers of the creative process, its reflection of human society, and its power to impact. Students will work to
- critically analyze and interpret artistic and/or aesthetic expression,
- develop skills in creative expression through creative work, and
- use their insights to articulate the role of creativity in the examination of the human condition.
In Search of Meaning and Values 3 credits
Doane students will consider the importance and significance of what it means to be human. Students will work to
- consider ways that humans have come to understand the meaning of existence,
- evaluate the philosophical or spiritual implications of human actions and policies, and
- develop an understanding of their ethical values.
Liberal Arts Studies 9 credits
The Liberal Arts Seminars progressively address the essential learning outcomes. In addition to addressing the appropriate essential learning outcomes and the habits of an intellectual life, each Liberal Arts Seminar will have learning outcomes unique to the course section.
Experiential Learning 3 credits-Crete Campus and Lincoln/Online programs in Agribusiness, Computing, Human Relations, or Liberal Arts Studies
A defining experience, directly linked to the course’s learning outcomes that involves
- application of knowledge and skills to practice,
- guided reflection on the role or importance of the experience in the student’s education, and
- one or more of the following:
A. Cultural Immersion
- Study Abroad
- Short-Term Travel TVL 300
B. Professional Practice
- Internship ACC 421 , ART 421 , AGR 421 , BIO 421 , BUS 421 , CHM 421 , CMM 421 , CMP 421 , CMS 421 , ECO 421 , EDU 421 , EGR 421 , ENG 421 , EVS 421 , GDC 421 , HHP 421 , HIS 421 , HNR 421 , IDS 421 , MTH 421 , MUS 421 , PHS 421 , PSI 421 , PSY 421 , SOC 421 , SPA 421 , THE 421 ,
- Student Teaching EDS 456 , EDU 451 , EDU 453 , EDU 455 , EDU 458
- Professional Practice within a course HRE 497 , ENG 311
C. Scholarly Practice
- Independent Research AGR 430 , BIO 494 , BIO 495 , BIO 496 , CHM 351 , CHM 495 , CHM 496 , CMP 495 , EVS 351 , EVS 495 , EVS 496 , EGR 395 , EGR 496 , HIS 496 , LAS 497 , MTH 496 , MTH 497 , PSI 496 , PSY 496 , RES 495 , RES 496 , SOC 496
- Creative Production or performance ART 460 , ENG 485 , ENG 495 , GDC 460 , MUS 401 , MUS 496 , THE 224 , THE 495
D. Service-Learning
- Integrated course work with service that meets a community identified need SVL 422
Note: International students studying full-time at Doane University are considered to have met this requirement at matriculation.
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