Liberal Studies M.A.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Upon completion of the degree, students should be able to write a graduate-level research paper and obtain a grade of B or better. Students must select a topic for their paper by identifying and assessing research-worthy issues. This topic should address either a personal or professional focus that is clearly communicated in a way that provides evidence of their educational and professional development throughout the program. They must be able to locate, retrieve and evaluate peer-reviewed academic, professional and scholarly works to support their topic.

2. Upon completion of the degree, students should be able to effectively communicate in a professional manner, including an understanding of effective rhetorical strategies in written, oral, and visual communication; comprehending how textual features, styles, and conventions change, depending on purpose, audience, and context; utilizing critical thinking regarding research and data used in writing and presentations; and understanding what makes an effective document or presentation that is both user-friendly and accessible to those with disabilities.

3. Upon completion of the degree, students should be able to examine available information, synthesize it, interpret it, and apply it to solve real-time problems and to strategize for future difficulties; apply critical thinking skills to a variety of situations; and utilize time management, organization, and scheduling skills.

4. Upon completion of the degree, students should be able to describe and identify historical and contemporary circumstances that contribute to systemic barriers to equality, cultural and material capital, and justice; associate and interpret statistics regarding income and education with broader cultural contexts of diversity and inclusion; demonstrate cultural competencies that allow you to illustrate instances of cultural appropriation and stereotyping; explain and differentiate types of discrimination and efforts to address them; develop materials that address questions of ethics and diversity from multiple perspectives.

5. Upon completion of the degree, students should be able to explain and demonstrate the characteristics required to enact the role and purpose of being a member of a team; explain and apply traditional and emerging approaches to Leadership; analyze and explain the fundamental aspects of coaching and mentoring; illustrate and apply a broad array of relationship-building exercises; work collaboratively with peers to examine diversity and leadership; demonstrate and list personal values and personal style related to professional growth.