Purpose Statement for General Education Requirements

Overview

The purpose of general education at SSC is not simply to prepare students for a life of work, but to prepare them for the work of their lives. Throughout the history of the West, the emphasis in education has been on the study of both Mind and Nature, and the goals of education have remained constant:

• To think deeply, critically, and clearly, using a variety of intellectual tools;
• To argue with intelligence, insight, eloquence, and responsibility;
• To express oneself with discipline, rigor, and creativity;
• To know facts but also to know contexts for those facts;
• To acknowledge the existence of ambiguity and multiple perspectives and to recognize the consequences of this acknowledgment;
• To comprehend both the self and the world of humanity and nature outside the self.

Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS) Degrees

In accordance with these goals, SSC has instituted the following specific objectives for those who participate in the general education requirement for AA and AS Degrees:

1. Communication. Students will learn to write and speak standard English in a grammatically correct, well-organized and coherent manner for a variety of purposes; they will demonstrate an understanding of the various forms of rhetoric; and they will demonstrate library/research skills.
2. Mathematics. Students will be able to demonstrate analytical, quantitative and problem-solving skills, they will develop an understanding of the relationships between mathematics and other fields of endeavor.
3. Humanities. Students will learn to understand achievements of civilizations and assess information that is read, seen, or heard, and communicate effectively.
4. Fine Arts. Students will learn to analyze, interpret, and appreciate aesthetic reasoning, or to express themselves creatively by creating or performing works of verbal or nonverbal art.
5. Social and Behavioral Sciences. Students will learn about a variety of behaviors, populations, cultures and settings, and will develop the ability to analyze, interpret, and apply social and behavioral science knowledge in a variety of settings.
6. Physical and Life Sciences. Students will learn to articulate and apply fundamental conceptual frameworks for understanding natural phenomena and their causes and effects.

Always seek the advice of an academic advisor or admissions counselor when making transfer plans. Appointments are available by calling (708) 596-2000 ext. 2306.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degrees

In accordance with these goals, SSC has instituted the following specific objectives for those who participate in the general education requirement for AAS Degrees:

1. Communication. Students will learn to write and speak standard English in a grammatically correct, well-organized and coherent manner for a variety of purposes; they will demonstrate an understanding of the various forms of rhetoric; and they will demonstrate library/research skills.

2. Mathematics, Physical or Life Sciences. Students will be able to demonstrate analytical, quantitative and problem-solving skills, and they will develop an understanding of the relationships between mathematics, the sciences, and other fields of endeavor.

3. Humanities or Fine Arts. Students electing Humanities will learn to understand and assess cultural achievements. Students electing Fine Arts will learn to analyze and interpret aesthetic reasoning, or to express themselves by creating or performing works of verbal or nonverbal art.

4. Social and Behavioral Sciences. Students will learn about a variety of behaviors, populations, cultures and settings, and will develop the ability to analyze, interpret, and apply social and behavioral science knowledge in a variety of settings.

5. Technological Literacy. Students will learn to use computer technology as a fundamental tool to support their professional and academic careers by applying to their tasks appropriate computer hardware and software skills.