General Education Outcomes

IDEAS - Inquire, Develop, Experience, Apply and Serve

We want you to graduate from Cal Lutheran prepared to make a difference, no matter where the 
future takes you. That's why, in addition to your major, you will take courses from our general 
education curriculum to broaden your perspective and develop skills that will serve you well in 
both your professional and personal life.

We’ve designed IDEAS as the foundation of your Cal Lutheran education, so that you’re 
prepared to make a difference in the world.

What is IDEAS?
Your IDEAS classes will give you opportunities to inquire, develop, experience, apply, and 
serve. They’ll expand your major and make you a more well-rounded musician, scientist, 
entrepreneur, or however you decide to apply yourself. IDEAS may even introduce you to 
possibilities you didn’t know existed.

INQUIRE:  Students will develop and practice critical thinking skills through collaboration with others.

• use discipline specific search tools to formulate well-informed questions
• evaluate questions by collecting relevant information
• develop solutions by applying critical thinking and/or creative thinking skills

DEVELOP:  Students will develop and practice competencies in communication skills rooted in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This can be completed through visual, written or oral modes

 Visual Communication emphasis will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Create original works of applied arts that implement the creative process to solve diverse visual communication problems
• Articulate the fundamental elements and principles of design that enable a visual message to meaningfully engage an audience
• Critically analyze examples of visual communication from artists and peers, demonstrating knowledge of the elements and skills required to communicate visually. Some analysis must be based on diverse perspectives and sources in the field

Written Communication emphasis will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Communicate an explicit focus and purpose for writing within the genre, audience, and disciplinary contexts of an academic field
• Develop and support main claims by synthesizing relevant information from appropriate sources; explain the relationship between sources and the writer’s argument or understanding of the topic; document research through appropriate citation conventions
• Communicate to readers in a coherent and engaging style, appropriate to the writing task
• Develop an effective writing process, using multiple drafts that are responded to by the instructor, class peers, and/or writing center consultants

Oral Communication emphasis will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Communicate a central message that is compelling and strongly supported by sources that establish the presenter's credibility
• Deliver the message by using clear and effective language, expressive delivery techniques, and cohesive organizational strategies that are appropriate to the audience and context
• Present in at least two of the following styles: panel discussion, debate, persuasion, informative, oral interpretation, and impromptu speaking; evaluate peer presentations in these styles

EXPERIENCE:  Students will deepen their understanding of the complexities of the world through purpose-driven, active learning.

Through the use of various purpose-driven, active learning students will:

• Demonstrate cultural competence in their written and oral response to discipline specific problems of global concern
• Dissect complex global issues, critically evaluate multiple perspectives and synthesize information to form well-supported conclusions
• Engage in discussions, projects, and simulations in order to propose innovative solutions to real-world challenges that acknowledge diverse viewpoints and cultural contexts
• Integrate learning across various disciplines to comprehend and address multifaceted global issues, recognizing the interconnectedness of social, economic, political, and environmental factors

APPLY:  Students will acquire and apply multiple literacies and competencies across varied perspectives to imagine solutions that solve problems.

Information Literacy

• Define the scope of research questions and key concepts within their discipline
• Select information sources related to the scope of the research questions or key concepts within their discipline
• Use a variety of criteria to access information and sources purposefully for relevance and quality

Quantitative Literacy

• Explain information presented in multiple forms
• Convert relevant information into appropriate forms
• Use the quantitative analysis of data to make judgments and draw appropriate conclusions

Express quantitative evidence in support of the argument or purpose of their work.

SERVE:   Students will apply multiple methods of inquiry and ways of understanding to better prepare and strengthen their potential contributions to the world in a positive way.

• Demonstrate comprehension of relevant issues from a variety of perspectives and understand how different academic disciplines ask questions through different   approaches
• Demonstrate how a broader perspective can enhance understanding and complex problem-solving
• Demonstrate how relevant knowledge and skills can be used to help or improve communities