Mission Statement

General Education is a program of study that reflects Anderson University’s foundation in the liberal arts and the value it places on providing some common learning experiences for all its graduates. The selection of courses has been developed to provide the essential knowledge, skills, and dispositions that lead to informed citizenship, service, wellness, and a foundation for continued learning. The exploration of knowledge and skills in these courses provides the framework through which students may see the connections and distinctions among the academic disciplines.

As a university, we recognize that students gain more when they invest more, and we place a high value on the engaged learner. Skills in communicating, thinking, relating and wellness are cultivated by the general education program as well as many courses in the major. Our heritage as a Christian institution is reflected in courses focused on the Bible, Christ, and ethical living. Knowledge comes to us through many pathways. Knowing and valuing the different process by which disciplines explore and interpret the human experience is an important part of learning.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of general education, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate goal-setting for and critical self-reflection of their experience as learners.
2. Demonstrate increasing abilities related to the skills of communication, critical and creative thinking, productive interpersonal relationships, personal health and wellness:
   • Communication Skills-writing, speaking, reading, listening in English; achieving basic competency in a second language; developing observation skills, and an awareness of aesthetics
   • Critical Thinking Skills-logic, quantitative skills, research, computation, problem solving, scientific method, and analysis
   • Interpersonal Skills-cooperation, teamwork, and collaboration
   • Wellness Skills-nutritional awareness, physical fitness, and healthy lifestyle practices
3. Demonstrate knowledge of Christian Scripture, a knowledge of Christian religious traditions, and the ability to evaluate Christian ethical values.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the contributions of a variety of academic disciplines, and the ability to employ corresponding methods of inquiry:

Humanities (including literature and history)
Mathematics
Fine Arts
Social/behavioral sciences
Natural Sciences