Mission Statement
In order to become informed and productive citizens, undergraduate students need to think critically and synthetically about substantive and often interlinked aesthetic, ethical, historical, linguistic, philosophical, societal, scientific, and quantitative global challenges and issues.
Therefore, in addition to being prepared to complete a major course of study, Clemson University undergraduate students are required to undertake a general education core course of study to develop and to demonstrate the ability to synthesize information relevant to complex issues, to evaluate the quality and utility of the information, and to use the outcomes of their analysis to reach persuasive logical conclusions.
The Clemson University undergraduate curriculum is designed such that arts and humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, and written and oral communication contribute to the holistic development of its students.
General Education Student Learning Outcomes
Communication
Students will demonstrate competence in communication through organization of a central message with supporting materials in the chosen medium.
Arts and Humanities
Students will analyze, interpret, and employ aesthetic, ethical, linguistic, and/or philosophical discourse in relevant contexts; or students will create, perform, interpret, reinterpret, and/or criticize artistic works.
Mathematics
Students will demonstrate mathematical literacy through interpretation of mathematical forms and performing calculations.
Natural Sciences
Students will demonstrate the process of scientific reasoning through experimental activity and critical comparison of their results to those predicted by accepted natural science principles.
Social Sciences
Students will use social science concepts and evidence to explain human actions or behaviors in the past, the present, and/or the future.
Cross-Cultural Awareness
Explain how aspects of culture are integrated into a comprehensive worldview; and then demonstrate how culture influences human behavior.
Science and Technology in Society
Demonstrate an understanding of issues created by the complex interactions among science, technology, and society.
Critical Thinking
Demonstrate the ability to assemble information relevant to a significant, complex issue, evaluate the quality and utility of the information, and use the outcome of the analysis to reach a logical conclusion about the issue.
Ethical Judgment
Demonstrate an ability to identify, comprehend, and deal with ethical problems and their ramifications in a systematic, thorough, and responsible way.
An undergraduate student whose enrollment in a curriculum occurs after May 15, 2005, must fulfill the general education requirements in effect at that time. If a student withdraws from the University and subsequently returns or does not remain continuously enrolled (summers excluded), the requirements in effect at the time of return will normally prevail. Any variation in curricular or general education requirements shall be considered under the curriculum year change or the substitution procedure.
