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CWU 501-14: Definitions of General Education Terms

Effective: April 21, 2025

Policy Review Date: YEAR

Policy Executive: Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs

Responsible Office/Unit: Faculty Senate

 

Policy Statement:

 

Applicability:

 

Content:

          Policy

(1) The general education program structural elements include the guiding philosophy, program goals, framework, knowledge area, outcomes, theme criteria, and rules.

A. The guiding philosophy articulates the program’s philosophical underpinnings. The other program elements must be consistent with the guiding philosophy.

B. The program goals make clear what students can expect to gain through participation in the program.

C. The framework indicates the structure of the program including required areas of study and the sequence of the program.

D. Knowledge areas encompass the conceptual content and skills that serve as a foundation for general education.

  1. The knowledge area outcomes define the scope of concepts, skills, or other content that will be examined in program assessment. These outcomes drive the pedagogy within the knowledge area.

E. The themes constitute the lens through which knowledge area courses are taught and provide opportunity for students to explore and make connections.

  1. The theme criteria align with the guiding philosophy and introduce competencies to be learned.

F. The rules govern the implementation of the general education program.

(2) Curriculum refers to the individual courses approved to populate the general education framework, and is distinct from the framework outcomes and criteria of the program.

(3) Theme coordination refers to oversight ensuring coherence, appropriate breadth, and timely resolution of concerns among participating departments.

History: 

Responsibility: Faculty Senate; Authority: Cabinet/UPAC; Reviewed/Endorsed by: Provost’s Council: 05/24/22; Cabinet/UPAC; Review/Effective Date: 07/2009; 2/20/2019; 06/15/2022; 4/21/2025; Approved by: A. James Wohlpart, President
Reformatted and Assigned new Policy Number - Previous Policy CWUP 5-100-020, June 2025