LIBERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Association of American Colleges and Universities recognizes a liberal education as one which prepares students for work, citizenship, and life. A liberal education is one which frees the mind and is critical to the strength of our democracy. The student is an active participant in their educational journey, and inclusive excellence is a core theme woven throughout the learning outcomes.
At Colby-Sawyer, your professional and personal development are closely interconnected. The Liberal Education Program (a set of courses that students in all majors take) provides student with choice and access to a wide range of courses equips you with versatile skills needed to complete successful college-level work and exposes you to a variety of disciplinary areas and interdisciplinary approaches.
These skills are applicable and transferable in the ever-evolving professional world and are sought out by employers. These courses will invite you to confront questions that are crucial to adult life. A liberal education builds the habits of mind that will carry you into your career of choice and beyond, positioning you to think critically, engage broadly, and navigate uncertainty with confidence.
Requirements:
- Online A.S. students are required to take an Academic Writing Course, a Data & Mathematics Course, and 3 courses from the Ways of Knowing including: One Social & Behavioral Analysis Course, One Investigating the Natural World Course, and One Creative & Interpretive Inquiry or Liberal Education Elective.
- Online B.S. students are required to take a total of Six Courses in the Ways of Knowing (24 credits).
- Online B.S. students are also required to take one 4 credit Integrative Experience course.
Liberal Education Program Requirements
*See Academic Writing Section of Catalog
Data & Mathematics
Eligible Courses: MAT 122, MAT 220, or MAT 230.
Course Outcomes:
• Evaluate the quality of a sample of data and articulate its limitations in representing a population.
• Calculate descriptive statistics for numerical or categorical data (mean, median, mode, standard deviation, proportion, percentage, percentile) and use the appropriate values to summarize the data.
• Create common graphical displays of data (pie charts, bar plots, line graphs, histograms, scatterplots, box plots) using spreadsheet software and describe what they show.
• Infer and clearly state reasonable data-driven conclusions.
Ways of Knowing
Creative and Interpretive Inquiry (CII)
Area outcomes:
• Produce, analyze, or interpret creative and philosophical works.
• Engage questions of meaning, value, and aesthetic judgment.
• Communicate insights effectively through written, oral, or visual forms.
Courses: ART100, ART110, ART120, ART230, ART234, ART247, ART260, ART270, DAN150, ENG 213, ENG 215, ENG 234, ENG 242, ENG 244, ENG 244, ENG 250, GD125, GD213, HIS 103, HIS 209, HIS 212, HIS 218, MUS103, MUS108, POL 202, POL 203, POL 204, THE120, THE140, THE230, WRT201
Social and Behavioral Analysis (SBA)
Area outcomes:
• Analyze how social, political, and economic forces shape individuals and communities.
• Interpret qualitative and quantitative evidence and apply disciplinary perspectives to evaluate real-world issues.
• Reflect on individual roles and responsibilities within diverse communities and a democratic society.
Area courses: BUS115, CHI101, ECO 201, EDU201, POL 100, POL 101, PSY 101, SHS101, SM210, SM213, WGS 111
Investigating the Natural World (INW)
Area outcomes:
• Use scientific and logical methods to generate and investigate questions about the natural world and human systems.
• Collect and evaluate evidence, data, and models to draw reasoned conclusions and test competing explanations.
• Apply quantitative reasoning and analytical tools to solve problems and assess hypotheses and claims.
Area courses: BIO106, BIO107, BIO121, BIO205, BIO206, CHE101, ENV101, ENV201, PHY101, SCI112
Liberal Education Electives:
All courses listed in Ways of Knowing
COM101: Public Speaking
PHI100: Introduction to Philosophy
PHI210: Logic and Critical Thinking
PHI305: Biomedical Ethics