With the guidance of the college community and the curriculum requirements, our students benefit from the breadth and depth of a liberal arts and sciences education. They engage in rigorous inquiry and informed deliberation by: |
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Capstone |
Milestones |
Benchmark |
I1. investigating and researching underlying causes and connections |
Explores a topic in depth, yielding a rich awareness of its larger context. |
Explores a topic in depth, yielding insight into its larger context. |
Explores a topic with some evidence of depth, providing occasional insight into its larger context. |
Explores a topic at a surface level, providing basic facts and little insight into its larger context. |
I2. synthesizing evidence from multiple sources |
Synthesizes in-depth information from relevant sources representing various points of view/ approaches. |
Presents in-depth information from relevant sources representing various points of view/ approaches. |
Presents information from relevant sources representing limited points of view/ approaches. |
Presents information from irrelevant sources representing limited points of view/ approaches. |
I3. designing ways to answer their questions |
Identifies multiple approaches to address their question that apply within a specific context. |
Identifies approaches to address their question, only some of which apply within a specific context. |
Identifies only a single approach to address their question that does apply within a specific context. |
Identifies one or more approaches for to address their question that do not apply within a specific context. |
I4. acquiring the skills to evaluate arguments and evidence critically |
Information is taken from source(s) with enough interpretation/ evaluation to develop a comprehensive analysis or synthesis. Viewpoints of experts are questioned thoroughly. |
Information is taken from source(s) with enough interpretation/ evaluation to develop a coherent analysis or synthesis. Viewpoints of experts are subject to questioning. |
Information is taken from source(s) with some interpretation/ evaluation, but not enough to develop a coherent analysis or synthesis. Viewpoints of experts are taken as mostly fact, with little questioning. |
Information is taken from source(s) without any interpretation/ evaluation. Viewpoints of experts are taken as fact, without question. |
I5. developing independent, nuanced, and thoughtful analyses |
Organizes and synthesizes evidence to reveal insightful patterns, differences, or similarities related to focus. |
Organizes evidence to reveal important patterns, differences, or similarities related to focus. |
Organizes evidence, but the organization is not effective in revealing important patterns, differences, or similarities. |
Lists evidence, but it is not organized and/ or is unrelated to focus. |
I6. making connections among different bodies of knowledge |
Independently creates wholes out of multiple parts (synthesizes) or draws conclusions by combining examples, facts, or theories from more than one field of study or perspective. |
Independently connects examples, facts, or theories from more than one field of study or perspective. |
When prompted, connects examples, facts, or theories from more than one field of study or perspective. |
When prompted, presents examples, facts, or theories from more than one field of study or perspective. |
I7. communicating their findings effectively and persuasively through written, oral,
experiential, visual, or other appropriate methods |
Communicates, organizes and synthesizes information from sources to fully achieve a specific purpose, clarity and depth, using a format in ways that enhance meaning, making clear the interdependence of language and meaning, thought, and expression. |
Communicates, organizes and synthesizes information from sources. Intended purpose is achieved. Uses a format to explicitly connect content and form, demonstrating awareness of purpose and audience. |
Communicates and organizes information from sources. The information is not yet synthesized, so the intended purpose is not fully achieved. Uses a format that connects in a basic way what is being communicated (content) with how it is said (form). |
Communicates information from sources. The information is fragmented and/or used inappropriately (misquoted, taken out of context, or incorrectly paraphrased, etc.), so the intended purpose is not achieved. Is not thoughtful about the format. |
I8. reflecting on their studies and being prepared to engage with the world based
on their inquiry and deliberation |
Reviews prior learning (past experiences inside and outside of the classroom) in depth to reveal significantly changed perspectives about educational and life experiences, which provide foundation for expanded knowledge, growth, and maturity over time.
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Reviews prior learning (past experiences inside and outside of the classroom) in depth, revealing fully clarified meanings or indicating broader perspectives about educational or life events. |
Reviews prior learning (past experiences inside and outside of the classroom) with some depth, revealing slightly clarified meanings or indicating a somewhat broader perspectives about educational or life events. |
Reviews prior learning (past experiences inside and outside of the classroom) at a surface level, without revealing clarified meaning or indicating a broader perspective about educational or life events. |