General Education
for Degree-Seeking Students

General Education is defined at North Idaho College as a series of learning experiences that provide the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for individuals to function well in society. These learning experiences are designed for all students, but for degree-seeking students in particular.

In pursuing a degree at NIC, the expected general education learning outcomes of the degree programs are expressed through a framework of nine "abilities." NIC believes these abilities will contribute to the development of individuals who are active, productive, and personally-fulfilled members of a highly diverse, ever-changing society.

The expected student learning outcomes for each ability are described below and are listed under each degree requirement heading on the following pages.

1. Critical/Creative Thinking and Problem Solving:
   The student will demonstrate the ability to analyze and evaluate information and arguments, and construct a well-supported argument. The student will select or design appropriate frameworks and strategies to solve problems in multiple contexts individually and corroboratively.
2. Communication:
   The student will recognize, send, and respond to communications for varied audiences and purposes by the use of reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
3. Mathematical, Scientific and Symbolic Reasoning:
   The student will demonstrate the ability to apply mathematical and scientific reasoning to investigate and solve problems.
4. Historical, Cultural, Environmental and Global Awareness:
   The student will demonstrate the ability to think globally and inclusively with a basic understanding of key ideas, achievements, issues, diverse cultural views, and events as they pertain locally, nationally, and globally.
5. Aesthetic Response:
   The student will demonstrate the ability to recognize the elements of design, the unifying element, context, purpose, and effect of craftsmanship and artistic creations.
6. Social Responsibility/Citizenship:
   The student will demonstrate awareness of the relationships that exist between an individual and social groups, private/public institutions, and/or the environment, the nature of these relationships, the rights and responsibilities of these relationships, and the consequences that result from changes in these relationships.
7. Information Literacy:
   The student will develop the ability to access information for a given need, develop an integrated set of skills (research strategy and evaluation), and have knowledge of information tools and resources.
8. Valuing/Ethical Reasoning:
   The student will demonstrate the ability to apply what one knows, believes, and understands toward developing an empathetic and analytical understanding of others’ value perspectives. The student will incorporate valuing in decision-making in multiple contexts.
9. Wellness:
   The student will demonstrate an understanding of the factors that contribute to physical, emotional, psychological, occupational, social, and spiritual well-being, life-long learning, and success.