STOGoals: Critical Thinking and Inquiry

Students will investigate, analyze, critique, and construct arguments.

For example, students will be able to:

• Read carefully, critically, and reflectively
• Ask insightful and sophisticated questions
• Conduct systematic, imaginative and effective academic research
• Understand and use both quantitative and qualitative information
• Articulate, critique, and support arguments with compelling evidence and sound reasoning
• Revise a point of view in response to new arguments and information
• Reflect critically on the meaning and truth of religious claims, including those of Christianity

 Students can develop these abilities through experiences such as:

• Completing OLE Core courses in Writing and Rhetoric, The First-Year Seminar, Christian Theology in Dialogue, and Quantitative and Computational Reasoning
• Competing on the St. Olaf debate team
• Working with or as an SI leader, SOAR peer leader, or tutor through the Academic Success Center
• Attending worship services at St. Olaf or in another faith community
• Conferring with a librarian in planning a significant research project
• Having conversations about important issues with classmates or residence hall neighbors
• Attending events sponsored by the Political Awareness Committee

For more information about student learning outcomes, visit the pages below:

Student survey data

Assessment Committee website