Seaver Core Program Learning Outcomes

The Seaver Core is the general education program of Seaver College. It has three parts: Foundations, Connections, and Skills. The outcomes below describe what students will be able to do after completing the courses in each area.

Foundations

Christianity and Culture

Christianity and Culture is a three-course sequence. Each course carries one program learning outcome (PLO):

PLO 1 (REL 100): The Way of Jesus
Explain core Christian beliefs, virtues, and practices that derive from Christian scripture.

PLO 2 (REL 200): The Story of Christian Scripture
Explain key elements of Christian scripture.

PLO 3 (REL 300): Christianity and Culture
Evaluate applications of Christian beliefs, virtues, and practices to life in various times and places, including today.

English Composition

Learn to write effectively for different audiences and purposes, with an emphasis on argumentation and academic writing.

Foundations of Reasoning

Thoughtfully engage with central questions of human flourishing and meaningful life—particularly within a Christian context—by cultivating curiosity, applying critical thinking across diverse modes of reasoning, practicing open-mindedness and intellectual humility, and articulating well-considered personal answers to these enduring questions.

Speech and Rhetoric

Apply rhetorical theory to the development, delivery, and analysis of public messages.

Connections

Connections courses span ten categories. Some courses count toward two categories, so students take at least eight courses to fulfill all ten.

Creative Arts

Create, perform, or analyze a work of art.

Diverse Perspectives

1. Understand the systematic ways various groups have been oppressed and marginalized;
2. Articulate the roles and contributions of minoritized groups and/or historically excluded groups, including ways they have resisted oppression; and
3. Transfer this knowledge to other contexts as they prepare to be servant leaders in a diverse world.

Global Perspectives

Demonstrate an understanding of the historical development, cultural heritage, politics, or religious traditions of civilizations outside Western civilization. The primary focus is on the civilizations of Asia, but also included are those of the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

Historical Thinking

Understand and analyze historical interpretations and narratives, interpret primary sources in context, identify complex causes of historical development, and analyze continuity and change over time.

Human Institutions and Behavior

Understand the complex relationships among individuals, institutions, ideas, markets, and historical events.

Interpretation

Discern the meaning and evaluate the significance of different types of cultural expression, with an emphasis on literary, philosophical, and artistic forms.

Language and Culture

Comprehend and communicate spontaneously both in written and oral form—in a language other than English—at least about familiar topics, possibilities, and differing cultural practices and perspectives.

Laboratory Science

Understand the methods used by scientists to investigate and answer questions about the natural world and demonstrate the ability to assess the reliability and limitations of those methods.

Mathematical Reasoning

Employ logical, mathematical, and/or statistical techniques to reason abstractly, formulate and test conjectures, build and analyze models, and/or solve problems in context.

U.S. Experience

Develop a deeper understanding of the broader history, politics, and culture of the United States.

Skills

Demonstrate practical knowledge and applied skills that support their holistic development and prepare them to thrive personally and professionally beyond college.