Smith Center Programs

    Intended Learning Outcomes – Study Abroad/Away

    As a result of participation in a St. Olaf study abroad program, students will demonstrate:

    1. knowledge of at least one other place of the world outside of the US, including one or more aspects of the place, such as cultural characteristics and worldviews, history and contemporary issues, social institutions and the relation of people to the environment.
    2. familiarity with global interconnectedness and particularly with the various ways in which US society and one’s life choices have an impact on and are affected by one or more places in the world in the past and/or present.
    3. enhanced ability to compare and contrast characteristics of their own culture and place and another culture and place, and to understand some of the factors that have produced differences.
    4. enhanced ability to adapt to and interact effectively with people of different social and cultural backgrounds.
    5. enhanced likelihood of further study or other engagement with other cultures or regions of the world.
    Notes:
    • Some off-campus programs do not go abroad.  For such courses, knowledge of regional differences within the United States will be an intended learning outcome.
    • Some courses, both international and domestic, are focused on scientific rather than cultural observations.  Since knowledge gained from such courses will focus more on geographical or biological features of the program location, outcomes 3 and 4 may be modified as appropriate.

    November 2009

    Intended Learning Outcomes – Academic Civic Engagement

    Through participation in an academic civic engagement course, students will demonstrate increased:

    1. Civic knowledge: Ability to describe the social, political and historical contexts of civic/community organizations.
    2. Civic learning: Ability to apply academic knowledge and proficiencies (such as written and oral communication, teamwork, critical and creative thinking, information literacy, intercultural competency, quantitative skills, etc.) in service of a civic/community aim.
    3. Civic self-understanding: Ability to evaluate one’s academic knowledge and proficiencies (such as written and oral communication, teamwork, critical and creative thinking, information literacy, intercultural competency, quantitative skills, etc.) in service of a civic/community aim.
    4. Civic reflection: Ability to describe and evaluate one’s civic/community aims and accomplishments.
    5. Civic efficacy: Confidence in one’s ability to contribute effectively to civic and community endeavors.
    6. Civic action: Commitment to pursue civic, community and work roles that foster the common good.
    7. Vocational integration: Ability to articulate how to use one’s knowledge and skills to contribute in personal, civic or work roles.

    November 2010