BG Perspective: 21st Century Liberal Studies at BGSU is defined by particular cognitive skills integral to all courses: critical thinking and effective communication; investigating and problem solving; participation and leadership through active learning. These skills are central to all courses in the natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences, humanities and arts, and cultural diversity in the United States. Beyond the integration of cognitive skills, BG Perspective is dedicated to outcome-driven learning. Each knowledge domain above incorporates specific learning outcomes.

Cognitive Skills Learning Outcomes for all BG Perspective courses:
You will be able to communicate effectively by gaining proficiency in reading, writing and presenting.
You will be able to think critically through investigating and creative problem solving.
You will be able to effectively participate and to lead through active engagement with diverse groups and teams of individuals.

BG Perspective Student Learning Outcomes for each knowledge domain: Social and Behavioral Sciences, Natural Sciences, Humanities and Arts, and Cultural Diversity in the United States.

Social and Behavioral Sciences
You will learn how to identify issues and problems and to formulate and frame these in ways that contribute to their solution.
You will learn how theory is applied to events to produce knowledge.
You will be able to examine the nature of decision making in society from the perspectives of the social sciences and how values impact on that decision-making.
You will be able to construct and present an argument, identifying the evidence that supports it and the reasoning process by which a conclusion is reached.
You will be able to articulate the bases of evidence in this discipline, how they are used, and the assumptions on which they rest.
In Social and Behavioral Sciences International Perspective courses, you will also learn the following:
You will be able to articulate the significance of diverse cultures and their modes of thought.

Natural Sciences

You will develop the skills and practice of using quantitative and qualitative approaches to study scientific concepts.
You will learn to understand the nature of scientific evidence, how it is obtained and how it is used in the scientific process.
You will learn how to solve problems using the logical approach of science.

Humanities and Arts

Depending on whether this is an art or humanities course you will learn the following:

You will be able to utilize modes of inquiry appropriate to the disciplines in question and explore the subject’s connection to human values.
You will develop fluency in verbal and/or non-verbal communication through reading, writing and listening.
You will have a critical understanding of the role of language and media: their rhetorical, artistic and symbolic expression and the ways in which these expressions both reflect and influence culture and society.
You will be able to examine have the social and cultural context of art works arising over a variety of historical periods.

In Humanities and Arts International Perspective courses, you will also learn the following:

You will be able to articulate the significance of diverse cultures and their modes of thought.

Cultural Diversity in the United States

You will be able to utilize modes of inquiry into the ways ethnic cultures have shaped American life.
You will be able to identify issues and problems in cultural diversity from the perspectives of diverse cultures and locate yourself in your own culture.
You will be able to engage in critical inquiry into the problems, challenges, and possibilities inherent in a multicultural democracy.
You will develop skills of communication, analysis, and problem solving in a format requiring active participation.

University Learning Outcomes Assessment Rubrics

Click on this web site and then "Download Document" to access rubrics:

http://e-demo.with.bgsu.edu/myportfolio/files.aspx?username=e-demo&fileid=DevelopmentalStageCriteria.doc&r=t