Essential Studies Statement of Philosophy
Baccalaureate graduates at Mayville State University complete a program of essential studies consistent with the Liberal Education - America’s Promise (LEAP) model developed by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. It empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity and change. It emphasizes broad knowledge of the wider world (e.g., science, culture, and society). It helps students develop a sense of social responsibility as well as strong intellectual and practical skills that span all areas of study and includes a demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings. Through technology-enriched instruction, students acquire basic knowledge in the behavioral and social sciences, the natural and physical sciences, mathematics, humanities, and the fine arts.
Essential Learning Outcomes
Essential Learning Outcomes (ELOs) apply to students in all courses offered for Essential Studies and are consistent with those identified through the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Liberal Education - America's Promise (LEAP) initiative. Mayville State assesses ELOs in a two-year cycle which is supported through the Essential Studies Committee. Mayville State ELOs are identified here:
- ELO #1 - Students will demonstrate knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world through study in the sciences and mathematics, social sciences, humanities, histories, languages and the arts. This is focused by engagement with big questions, both contemporary and enduring.
- ELO #2 - Students will demonstrate intellectual and practical skills, practiced extensively across the curriculum, in the context of progressively more challenging problems, projects and standards for performance. Special areas of focus for this outcome are inquiry and analysis, critical thinking, creative thinking, written communication, oral communication, quantitative literacy, information literacy and teamwork.
- ELO #3 - Students will demonstrate personal and social responsibility, anchored through active involvement with diverse communities and real-world challenges. Areas of focus for ELO #3 include civic engagement, ethical reasoning, global learning, intercultural knowledge and competence, and lifelong learning.
- ELO #4 - Students will demonstrate Integrative and Applied Learning, including synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general and specialized studies. This is demonstrated through the application of knowledge, skills and responsibilities to new settings and complex problems.