Associate Degree and General Education Philosophy

The philosophy and criteria for the associate degree and general education address the considerations referenced in Title 5, Sections 55061; Accreditation Standard II.A.12. These include, but are not limited to the following:

1. The programs of the District are consistent with the institutional mission, purposes, demographic, and economics of its community.
2. The philosophy and criteria regarding the associate degree reflects the policy of the Board of Governors that the associate degree symbolizes a successful attempt to lead students through patterns of learning experiences designed to develop certain capabilities and insight, including:

a. The ability to think and communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing;

b. Using mathematics;

c. Understanding the modes of inquiry of the major disciplines;

d. Being aware of other cultures and times;

e. Achieving insights gained through experience in thinking about ethical problems;

f. Developing the capacity for self-understanding.

3.  The philosophy and criteria regarding general education reflects the policy of the Board of Governors that general education should lead to better self-understanding, including:

a. General education is designed to introduce students to the variety of means through which people comprehend the modern world

b. General education introduces the content and methodology of the major areas of knowledge and provides an opportunity for students to develop intellectual skills, information technology facility, affective and creative capabilities, social attitudes, and an appreciation for cultural diversity.

The Curriculum and General Education Committee recommends to the Superintendent/President and the Board of Trustee courses which exemplify the District’s philosophy on the associate degree and general education.

General Education Student Learning Outcomes (GE SLOs)

GE SLOs are the knowledge, skills, and abilities a student is expected to demonstrate by the time of graduation from Taft College. The outcomes are obtained through a series of courses in general education designed with a common core of knowledge consistent with a liberal arts education for a literate citizen. Here are the general education learning outcomes by area for Taft College.

GE–English Composition
	1. Writes clearly and effectively at an associate degree (Freshman English) level upon graduation.
GE-Oral Communications & Analytical Thinking
	1. Demonstrates the ability to communicate knowledge, information, ideas, and feelings, and enhance the ability to evaluate, problem solve, and make decisions; information management and computer literacy.
GE-Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning
	1. Apply quantitative information to draw reasonable conclusions to real world situations and possess numerical literacy.
GE-Arts & Humanities
	1. Develop an awareness of ways in which people through the ages and in different cultures respond to the world around them through artistic and cultural creations.
	2. Demonstrate an understanding of human diversity and tolerance for different perspectives, ideas, and values.
	3. Describe how through the arts, literature, philosophy, foreign languages, or religion reflect the historical, intellectual context and aesthetic tastes of various cultures using value judgments.
GE-Social & Behavioral Science
	1. Analyze the influence of major social, cultural, economic, and political forces on human behavior and institutions using the major concepts, models, and concerns developed through the social sciences in contemporary as well as historical settings and in a variety of cultural contexts.
	2. Apply research methodologies employed in social scientific inquiry.
	3. Demonstrate the principles, concepts, models of value systems, and ethics framework employed in social scientific inquiry.
GE-Natural Science
	1. Develop an understanding of the relationship between science and other human behaviors.
	2. Demonstrate the scientific method.
GE-Ethnic Studies
	1. Effectively address significant issues from diverse perspectives.
	2. Applies knowledge to implement sophisticated, appropriate, and workable solutions to address complex issues from a multidisciplinary perspective.
GE-Lifelong Learning (Local)
	1. Engage in citizenship skills; engage in college and community activities; knowledge of self; responsibility in groups settings, and work independently.
GE-American History & Ideals (Local)
	1. Applies a historical and political understanding of the U.S. Constitution using research methodologies to compose an argument that explains the rights and obligations of individual citizens, their historical significance, and how that may affect different groups.

General Education Requirements for the Associate’s Degree

Students have three options in meeting the General Education requirements towards earning an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science at Taft College. Option One, complete the local general education pattern including the local competencies, or Option Two, complete the California State Universities (CSU) GE Breadth Pattern requirements (full certification), Option Three, complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) (full certification unless IGETC for STEM in restricted majors). Options depend on the student’s degree.

Option One
The local Taft College General Education pattern can be found below. (For students who DO NOT intend to transfer to a CSU or UC)

Option Two
The California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth) certification pattern can be found in the Transfer Planning section of the catalog. (For students who intend to transfer to a California State University)

Option Three
The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern required for all UC bound students can be found Transfer Planning section of the catalog. This pattern can also be used at CSU schools and many independent schools. This is a UC requirement only. For CSU schools, student still need to complete the U.S. History, Constitution and American Ideals requirements. See Transfer Planning section of the catalog for details. (For students who intend to transfer to a University of California)

Check with the major or your counselor as to which option for general education to follow.