2024-25 Academic Catalog
Download PDF

Bachelor of Arts Degree and Minor Programs

The university offers a variety of interdisciplinary curricula to meet the growing need and interest in work beyond collegiate division. The following undergraduate majors and minors are under the supervision and jurisdiction of several committees, departments, or colleges as indicated. The programs include:

Undergraduate Majors (B.A.)/Minors

General Studies Major

The General Studies major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes UNIFI/General Education requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours.

This is a diversified liberal arts major supervised by the Coordinator of the Individual Studies Program.

Required
a minimum of 15 semester hours of 3000/4000-level courses from each of three of the four colleges for a minimum total hours45
Total Hours45

A General Studies major enables students to take a wide variety of courses from many different departments. This can lead to a well-rounded liberal arts education. The major is not directed toward any particular vocation or certification. The emphasis of this major is on distribution rather than concentration. Each General Studies major student is encouraged to develop a program of study according to their own needs, interests, and career goals. The selection of courses is largely left to the student. Students may not declare a second major and be registered for the General Studies major.

*The four colleges are:

  1. Wilson College of Business;
  2. College of Education;
  3. College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences; and
  4. College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

See General Information section for a list of the departments under each college.

(See General Studies program for registered nurses.)

Individual Studies Major

The Individual Studies major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes UNIFI/General Education requirements and the following specified major requirements (under the discretion of the Individual Studies Program Coordinator), plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours.

Required
A coherent, interdisciplinary area of study (minimum of 33 hours)33
Total Hours33

An undergraduate thesis, internship, practicum, research project or portfolio may be required for your program of study (1-6 hours).

If it is found the university does not offer the major desired, it may be possible, through the Individual Studies Program, for a student to create her/his own program of study. The purpose of the Individual Studies major is twofold:

  1. to enable a student to design an individualized major by selecting courses from several academic departments, and
  2. to explore interdisciplinary areas of study before those areas are formally adopted as departmental or interdepartmental majors.

Students interested in this major should have at least one semester's experience in university study before applying. A student shall consult first with the Individual Studies Coordinator concerning the feasibility of designing an Individual Studies major in a particular area. If the university does not have faculty or curricular resources for the area requested, the student will be so advised. Also, if the student does not appear to be academically prepared, or if their plans are not sufficiently clear, specific steps to correct these problems will be recommended.

Once an advisor is appointed, the student and the advisor will develop a list of courses to comprise the proposed major, and an interdisciplinary faculty committee will be selected to take action on the specific program. In some cases, with the approval of the faculty advisor and the program coordinator, an extraordinary amount of independent study may be counted toward the major. In some cases, an undergraduate thesis, internship, practicum, research project or portfolio will be required of this major.

The Individual Studies major is not intended to provide a secondary alternative to existing majors.

Liberal Studies Degree, Bachelor of

The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) program is offered by the three Iowa Regents’ Universities: University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa. The purpose of the B.L.S. is to offer educational opportunities to those students who are unable to attend college as full-time, on-campus students. Students often use self-paced and other distance learning opportunities to earn credit. This major may not be declared with any other major.

See Undergraduate Degree Requirements section for further details regarding this degree.

Interactive Digital Studies Major

The Interactive Digital Studies (IDS) major is interdisciplinary in nature and is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Communication and Media. The Interactive Digital Studies major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes UNIFI/General Education requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours.

Required
Communication and Media:
CM CORE 1001Digital Toolbox3
COMM 4544/5544Digital Culture and Communication3
or CM CORE 1010 Mass Communication and Society
COMM 3155Professional and Public Communication3
COMM 3555Interactive Digital Communication3
COMM 3900/5900Internship in Communication3
Electives - select two bundles (emphases) from the following:30-32
Total Hours45-47
EMPHASES
1. Digital Visualization (15 hours)
Communication and Media:
COMM 4558/5558Interactive Digital Visualization: (Topic) (*Repeat for 6 hours)6
COMM DM 1611Media and Power3
or COMM 4213/5213 Visual Rhetoric
COMM DM 3659Editing and Design3
COMM DM 4655Photojournalism3
or COMM 3455 Creativity, Storytelling and Identity
Total Hours15
2. Digital Computation (17 hours)
Computer Science:
CS 1510Introduction to Computing4
CS 1520Data Structures4
CS 2530Intermediate Computing *3
CS 3110Web Application Development3
CS 3120/5120User Interface Design3
Total Hours17
*

CS 2530 has the following prerequisites: CS 1510CS 1520CS 1800; or department approval. The prerequisite CS 1800 not included in requirements for this bundle is waived for Interactive Digital Studies majors and minors.

3. Digital Writing (15 hours)
English:
ENGLISH 2770Introduction to Workplace Writing3
ENGLISH 4785/5785Applied Writing: Projects, Grants and Careers3
or ENGLISH 4770/5770 Applied Writing: Proposals and Grants
ENGLISH 4025/5025Theory and Practice of Writing3
or ENGLISH 4040/5040 Digital Writing: Theory and Practice
Select 2 from the following courses (6 units total)6
Electronic Literature *
Issues in Digital Humanities
Applied Writing: Workplace Communication
Applied Writing: Specialized Documents
Total Hours15
*

Prerequisite(s): CM CORE 1001 or ENGLISH 2120 or consent of instructor; junior standing.

4. Digital Music (15 hours)
Music Theory (required):
MUS THEO 1300Topics in Music Composition (Electronic composition section)2
MUS THEO 3220/5220Music and Technology4
MUS THEO 3230/5230Music Technology, Advanced4
Music Theory (select two of the following):4
Introduction to Music Theory
Theory I
Theory II
Theory class placement is determined by a diagnostic examination.
Music elective1
Total hours15
Additionally, it is recommended that students taking this bundle elect to take MUSIC 1100 as part of their UNIFI/General Education courses.
5. Digital Imaging (15 hours)
Graphic Technologies:
TECH 1055Graphic Communications Foundations3
TECH 2070Digital Pre-Media3
TECH 3150/5150Graphic Communications Imaging3
TECH 3169Digital Imaging3
TECH 4184/5184Digital Imaging II3
Total Hours15
6. Digital Advertising (15 hours)
Economics:
ECON 1031Introduction to Business Economics3
or ECON 1041 Principles of Macroeconomics
Marketing:
MKTG 2110Principles of Marketing3
MKTG 3143Advertising and Promotion3
MKTG 3146/5146Digital Advertising3
MKTG 3148/5148Digital Customer Experience *3
or ENTR 3583/5583 Entrepreneurship
or MKTG 4150 Advertising Campaign Development
Total Hours15
*

ENTR 3583/5583 has a prerequisite of ENTR 2010 or (ACCT 2120ACCT 2130; prerequisite or corequisite FIN 3130/5130STAT 1772 or equivalent; ECON 1011MKTG 2110ECON 1031 or (ECON 1041 and ECON 1051)); junior standing.

7. Digital History (15 hours)
Communication and Media:
COMM 4558/5558Interactive Digital Visualization: (Topic)3
COMM 4412/5412Performing History3
History:
HIST 1010Introduction to Historical Skills3
HIST 4010/5010Introduction to Public History3
HIST 4020/5020Introduction to Museum Studies3
Total Hours15

8. Web Development (15 hours)

Communication and Media:
COMM 4558/5558Interactive Digital Visualization: (Topic)3
Computer Science:
CS 1100Web Development: Client-Side Coding3
CS 2100Web Development: Server-side Coding3
CS 3120/5120User Interface Design3
Marketing:
MKTG 3148/5148Digital Customer Experience *3
Total Hours15
*

MKTG 3148/5148 has a prerequisite of MKTG 2110 or consent of instructor. This prerequisite is waived for all Interactive Digital Studies majors and minors.

9. Digital Video (15 hours) 

Communication and Media:
COMM DM 1652Writing for Digital Media3
or COMM 3455 Creativity, Storytelling and Identity
COMM DM 2651Digital Media Production II3
COMM DM 2653News Writing and Reporting3
or COMM DM 4650 Advanced News Writing and Reporting
COMM DM 3658Digital Journalism: (Topic)3
COMM DM 4630/5630Digital Media Law and Ethics3
or COMM DM 4644/5644 Global Media: (Topic)
Total Hours15

10. Digital Mapping (15 hours)

Geography:
GEOG 1310Digital Earth3
GEOG 2320Drones for Mapping and Communication3
GEOG 2410Geographic Information Systems I3
GEOG 4335/5335Web Mapping and Data Visualization3
GEOG 4360/5360Cartographic Design3
Total Hours15

Interactive Digital Studies Minor

The Interactive Digital Studies minor is interdisciplinary in nature and is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Communication and Media. This minor requires a 12-hour core plus 15-17 hours from one of the nine emphases.

Required
Communication and Media:
CM CORE 1001Digital Toolbox3
COMM 3155Professional and Public Communication3
COMM 4544/5544Digital Culture and Communication3
or CM CORE 1010 Mass Communication and Society
COMM 3555Interactive Digital Communication3
Electives - select one bundle (emphasis) from the following:15-17
Total Hours27-29
1. Digital Visualization (15 hours)
Communication and Media:
COMM 4558/5558Interactive Digital Visualization: (Topic) (*Repeat for 6 hours.)6
COMM DM 1611Media and Power3
or COMM 4213/5213 Visual Rhetoric
COMM DM 3659Editing and Design3
COMM DM 4655Photojournalism3
or COMM 3455 Creativity, Storytelling and Identity
Total Hours15
2. Digital Computation (17 hours)
Computer Science:
CS 1510Introduction to Computing4
CS 1520Data Structures4
CS 2530Intermediate Computing *3
CS 3110Web Application Development3
CS 3120/5120User Interface Design3
Total Hours17
*

CS 2530 has the following prerequisites: CS 1510CS 1520CS 1800; or department approval. The prerequisite CS 1800 not included in requirements for this bundle is waived for Interactive Digital Studies majors and minors.

3. Digital Writing (15 hours)

English:
ENGLISH 2770Introduction to Workplace Writing3
ENGLISH 4025/5025Theory and Practice of Writing3
or ENGLISH 4040/5040 Digital Writing: Theory and Practice
ENGLISH 4785/5785Applied Writing: Projects, Grants and Careers3
or ENGLISH 4770/5770 Applied Writing: Proposals and Grants
Select 2 from the following courses (6 units total)6
Electronic Literature *
Applied Writing: Workplace Communication
Applied Writing: Specialized Documents
Issues in Digital Humanities
Total Hours15
*

Prerequisite(s): CM CORE 1001 or ENGLISH 2120 or consent of instructor; junior standing.

4. Digital Music (15 hours)
Music Theory (required):
MUS THEO 1300Topics in Music Composition (Electronic Composition section)2
MUS THEO 3220/5220Music and Technology4
MUS THEO 3230/5230Music Technology, Advanced4
Music Theory (select two of the following):4
Introduction to Music Theory
Theory I
Theory II
Theory class placement is determined by a diagnostic examination.
Music elective1
Additionally, it is recommended that students taking this bundle elect to take MUSIC 1100 as part of their UNIFI/General Education courses.
Total Hours15
5. Digital Imaging (15 hours)
Graphic Technologies:
TECH 1055Graphic Communications Foundations3
TECH 2070Digital Pre-Media3
TECH 3150/5150Graphic Communications Imaging3
TECH 3169Digital Imaging3
TECH 4184/5184Digital Imaging II3
Total Hours15
6. Digital Advertising (15 hours)
Economics:
ECON 1031Introduction to Business Economics3
or ECON 1041 Principles of Macroeconomics
Marketing:
MKTG 2110Principles of Marketing3
MKTG 3143Advertising and Promotion3
MKTG 3146/5146Digital Advertising3
MKTG 3148/5148Digital Customer Experience *3
or ENTR 3583/5583 Entrepreneurship
or MKTG 4150 Advertising Campaign Development
Total Hours15
*

ENTR 3583/5583 has prerequisite of ENTR 2010 or (ACCT 2120ACCT 2130; prerequisite or corequisite FIN 3130/5130STAT 1772 or equivalent; ECON 1011MKTG 2110ECON 1031 or (ECON 1041 and ECON 1051)); junior standing.

7. Digital History (15 hours)
Communication and Media:
COMM 4412/5412Performing History3
COMM 4558/5558Interactive Digital Visualization: (Topic)3
History:
HIST 1010Introduction to Historical Skills3
HIST 4010/5010Introduction to Public History3
HIST 4020/5020Introduction to Museum Studies3
Total Hours15

8. Web Development (15 hours)

Communication and Media:
COMM 4558/5558Interactive Digital Visualization: (Topic)3
Computer Science:
CS 1100Web Development: Client-Side Coding3
CS 2100Web Development: Server-side Coding3
CS 3120/5120User Interface Design3
Marketing:
MKTG 3148/5148Digital Customer Experience *3
Total Hours15
*

MKTG 3148/5148 has prerequisite of MKTG 2110 or consent of instructor. This prerequisite is waived for all Interactive Digital Studies majors and minors.

 9. Digital Video (15 hours)

Communication and Media:
COMM DM 1652Writing for Digital Media3
or COMM 3455 Creativity, Storytelling and Identity
COMM DM 2651Digital Media Production II3
COMM DM 2653News Writing and Reporting3
or COMM DM 4650 Advanced News Writing and Reporting
COMM DM 3658Digital Journalism: (Topic)3
COMM DM 4630/5630Digital Media Law and Ethics3
or COMM DM 4644/5644 Global Media: (Topic)
Total Hours15

10.Digtial Mapping (15 hours)

Geography:
GEOG 1310Digital Earth3
GEOG 2320Drones for Mapping and Communication3
GEOG 2410Geographic Information Systems I3
GEOG 4335/5335Web Mapping and Data Visualization3
GEOG 4360/5360Cartographic Design3
Total Hours15

Interior Design Major

The Interior Design major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes UNIFI/General Education requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours.

Admission to the University of Northern Iowa with an intended Interior Design major does not guarantee placement in the major due to the limited number of spaces available in the studio facilities.

Students majoring in Interior Design must satisfy the admission requirements including GPA, portfolio review/interview and the completion of specified courses before they can officially declare the major. A copy of the Admission Policy may be obtained from the School of Applied Human Sciences in Latham Hall. Prior to completion of the admission requirements, students may sign an intent to major in Interior Design and be classified as a (pre)major.

Required
School of Applied Human Sciences:
INTDSGN 1001Introduction to Applied Design3
INTDSGN 1061Design Foundations3
INTDSGN 1063Drafting for Interiors3
INTDSGN 1065Design Visualization and Communication3
INTDSGN 1067History of Interiors3
INTDSGN 2063Computer Applications for Interior Design I3
INTDSGN 2065Space Planning and the Human Experience3
INTDSGN 2069Materials and Resources for Interior Design3
INTDSGN 3063Computer Applications for Interior Design II3
INTDSGN 3069Building Systems and Lighting3
INTDSGN 3129Building Codes and Standards3
INTDSGN 3151Residential Design I3
INTDSGN 3152Residential Design II3
INTDSGN 3164Professional Practice of Interior Design3
INTDSGN 3165Professional Preparation in Interior Design1
INTDSGN 4151Commercial Design I3
INTDSGN 4152Commercial Design II3
INTDSGN 4153Commercial Design III3
INTDSGN 4161Design Research Methods1
INTDSGN 4162Advanced Design3
INTDSGN 4195Internship in Interior Design3
TEXDSGN 1002Textile Science3
Total Hours62

International Business Minor

The interdepartmental minor in International Business is available to Wilson College of Business students majoring in Accounting, Business Teaching, Economics - Business Economics emphasis, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Real Estate, and Supply Chain Management. The International Business minor enhances the common body of knowledge gained through the business core by focusing on international trade and commerce issues/perspectives.

Required
World Affairs:3
Select one of the following:
Geography:
Global Geography
Political Science:
International Relations
International Business core:12
Marketing:
Global Trade Practices
Global Marketing
Management:
International Management
Financial:
International Financial Management
Economics:
Economic Development
International Experience:0
International Experience *
International Electives
Select one of the following:3
Management:
Supply Chain and Purchasing
Marketing:
Internship-Marketing **
Political Science:
Politics of the Global Economy
International Law
International Organizations
Sociology/Anthropology:
Language and Culture
Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective
Or any additional course listed within the international business core above.
Total Hours18
*

This BUSINESS 3169 course requires the successful completion of an approved study abroad experience, or a departmental internship or cooperative education experience that includes a significant international component.  Department internships or cooperative education credits that meet the requirements of the international experience can, by student request, be used to fulfill the elective requirement. This course may be substituted with any course involving collaboration on cross-border projects subject to approval of the Global Opportunities Coordinator. 

**

International section only. 

International Business Minor (Non-Business Majors)

The interdepartmental minor in International Business (Non-Business Majors) is available to any non-business major. The purpose of this minor is to allow non-business majors to build a basic body of knowledge concerning business and business operations and expand this knowledge with respect to international business, trade, and commerce. 

Required
World Affairs3
Select one of the following:
Geography:
Global Geography
Political Science:
International Relations
Business Core15
Accounting:
Principles of Financial Accounting
Marketing:
Principles of Marketing
Management:
Legal and Social Environment of Business
Organizational Behavior
Economics:
Introduction to Business Economics
International Business core9
Management:
International Management
International electives:
Select two from the following:
Marketing:
Distribution and Logistics
Global Marketing
Global Trade Practices
Internship-Marketing *
International Experience0
International Experience **
Total Hours27
*

International section only. 

**

This BUSINESS 3169 course requires the successful completion of an approved study abroad experience, or a departmental internship or cooperative education experience that includes a significant international component.  Department internships or cooperative education credits that meet the requirements of the international experience can, by student request, be used to fulfill the elective requirement. This course may be substituted with any course involving collaboration on cross-border projects subject to approval of the Global Opportunities Coordinator. 

NOT available to majors in: Accounting, Business Analytics, Business Teaching, Economics-Business Economics Emphasis, Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Real Estate, and Supply Chain Management.

NOT available to General Business Concepts minors. 

Russian and East European Studies Minor

This minor is offered by the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Required
Language *12-20
History:3
Select one of the following:
Modern Central and Eastern Europe
History of Imperial Russia
History of Soviet Russia
Select two of the following:6
Humanities/Languages (required):
Russia/Soviet Union
Political Science:
Nationalism
Russian Politics
An additional literature or language class, with the approval of a REES advisor. A Russian/East European topics course or seminar, with the approval of a REES advisor **,***
Total hours ***18-29
*

Four semesters. Must include fourth-semester course in Intermediate Russian Language and Culture II or equivalent Slavic/East European language satisfied through, for example, transfer credit.

Students may also satisfy the language requirement through native or heritage (home-based) knowledge of a Slavic/East European language. Students wishing to satisfy the language requirement in this manner may have to complete a language placement exam. Finally, students who do satisfy the language requirement through native/heritage knowledge will be required to complete 9 hours of course work in lieu of the 12-20 hours of language study. This will be arranged with the student’s REES advisor.

**

Several UNI departments (e.g., History) occasionally offer topics courses or junior-senior seminars on Central and Eastern Europe, and Eurasia. Consult a REES advisor each semester on these offerings.

***

The low range of 18 credit hours will apply only to students satisfying the language requirement through native or heritage (home-based) knowledge of a Slavic/East European language. (See * note.) The low range for students satisfying the language requirement through normal class language study will be 21 credit hours.

Study Abroad: Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad for at least one summer, preferably one semester. Study abroad may be used to satisfy program requirements for language or non-language course work, with the approval of a REES (Russian and East European Studies) advisor.

Studies in Sexuality, Women and Gender Minor

Studies in Sexuality, Women and Gender Minor is an interdisciplinary and multicultural program that engages in research and exploration concerning all areas of human experience. Its unique perspective strengthens the abilities of students within any major to critically analyze theory and research emphasizing the importance of gender while including other essential categories of analysis such as race, class, sexuality, ethnicity, and nationality. This 18 credit hour program provides skills that are useful to all majors. This program is offered under the jurisdiction and general supervision of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. For more information, contact the Women's and Gender Studies office, Sabin 225, wgs@uni.edu, or csbs.uni.edu/womenstudies

Required6
Humanities:
Women's and Gender Studies: Introduction
Choose one of the following:
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies
Human Relationships and Sexuality
Good Sex: The Ethics of Human Sexuality
Electives:12
Anthropology:
Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective *
Communication and Media:
Gender Issues in Communication
Voices from the Margin: Performance, Rhetoric, and Social Change
Criminology:
Women, Crime and Society *
Educational Psychology:
Social Psychology in Educational Contexts
Languages and Literature:
Literature: (topic) (Topics in Women's and Gender Studies ONLY)
Literature, Gender and Intersectionality *
The American Renaissance *
American Realism and Naturalism to WWI *
Family Services:
Human Relationships and Sexuality
Violence in Intimate Relationships
Public Health and Education:
Introduction to Women's Health
Selected Topics in Women's Health
History:
United States Women's History
Modern European Women's History
Humanities:
Black Women in America: Challenge, Spirit, Survival
Philosophy:
Money, Sex and Power: Theories of Race, Class and Gender
Psychology:
Psychology of Gender *
Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective *
World Religions:
Religions of the World (Family Life emphasis only) **
Women and Christianity
Social Sciences:
Women, Men, and Society
Sociology:
Social Movements *
Social Inequality *
Men and Masculinities
Sociology of Gender
Feminist Theories in the Social Sciences *
Women's and Gender Studies:
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies
Internship in Women's and Gender Studies *
Total Hours18

Notes:

No more than 9 hours from courses with the same prefix.

A minimum of 9 hours from the 3000-level or above.

No more than one of the following may be counted for WGS credit: COMM 4446/5446 or SOC 2040

*

These courses have additional prerequisites.

**

 Students must submit a student request form to receive WGS minor credit for this course.

Sustainability Minor

This interdisciplinary minor seeks to provide experiences, knowledge and skills related to sustainability.  This university wide minor is for students interested in exploring Sustainability. There is one required course paired with eighteen elective credits to reach the minor's minimum of twenty-one credits. As students complete the minor there is a, non-credit, reflection, form and advisor meeting. This form may be obtained from the Sustainability Advising Director. 

Required course
TECH 1015Introduction to Sustainability3
Foundations (Choose one course from each bin)
Scientific Reasoning3-4
Life: The Natural World
General Biology: Organismal Diversity
Introduction to Environmental Earth Science
Nature-Society Relations
Physics in Everyday Life
Responsibility3
Matter Matters
Natural Resources and Civilizations
Economics of Social Issues
Conflict and Justice in History: (Topic) (with Sustainability theme)
Science, Technology, and Ethics (STE)
Human Condition3
Climate Change, Human Migration and Conflict
Exploring Family Diversity in America
Global Geography
Peoples, Cultures, and Environments
Making the Modern World
Environmental Ethics
Integrative Perspectives (Choose one course from each bin)
Natural Systems and Stewardship Dimensions3-4
Evolution, Ecology and the Nature of Science *
Introduction to Geology
Field Studies in ____________
Modern Climate Change: Evidence and Predictions
GIS Applications: (Variable Topic) *
Environmental Health Science
Community Based Tourism
Managing Recreation Impacts on the Natural Environment
Eco, Adventure and Sport Tourism
Social and Cultural Dimensions3
Bio-Medical Ethics
Climate Change and Social Justice
Demography and Population Geography
Problems & Perspectives in Global History: (Topic)
U.S. Environmental History
Justice and the Good Life: Philosophical Perspectives
Theory and Practice of Outdoor Education
Culture and Civilization of Spain *
Business, Technology and Policy Dimensions 3-4
Principles of Managerial Accounting *
Biostatistics *
Economics of Sustainability *
Environmental Economics *
Intro to Environmental Data Analysis
Geographic Information Systems I
Environmental Geography: Variable Topic *
Climate Action Planning
Remote Sensing of the Environment
Introduction to Applied Design
Global Supply Chain Management *
Distribution and Logistics *
Introduction to Electronics *
Physical Computing *
Introduction to Public Administration
American State Politics
Applied Statistical Methods for Research *
Fundamentals of Metal Removal
Machine Design *
Lean and Sustainable Operations *
Total Hours21-24
*

Some of the courses listed may require prerequisites prior to enrollment. Consult with the UNI course catalog or appropriate department to determine requirements for the courses.

Bachelor of Liberal Studies, B.L.S.

Four essential student learning outcomes have been identified for the Bachelor of Liberal Studies and General Studies majors. They are:

1) effective written communication;

2) critical thinking;

3) information literacy and

4) integrative learning.

These student outcomes are expressly meant to prepare GS and BLS students for success in a rapidly changing, globally competitive and culturally diverse world and to lead productive and responsible lives. The details of each outcome are defined as follows:

● Learning Outcome #1: Effective written communication – written communication is the development and expression of ideas in writing. For written communication to be effective, one must possess the ability to use written language in a precise and user- friendly way in order to clearly express oneself to the intended audience. Students will achieve this goal by:

- Composing and presenting effective written messages with a variety of audiences using appropriate academic discourse and technologies.

- Scoring a 4, 3, or 2 for all components within the AAC&U Written Communication VALUE Rubric for artifacts submitted to demonstrate written communication.

● Learning Outcome #2: Critical thinking – critical thinking is the comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion. To exercise critical thinking, one must possess the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking and understand the logical connection between ideas. Students will achieve this goal by:

- Clearly identifying an issue or problem and carefully analyzing it using relevant sources of information in order to formulate logical conclusions.

- Scoring a 4, 3, or 2 for all components within the AAC&U Critical Thinking VALUE Rubric for artifacts submitted to demonstrate critical thinking.

● Learning Outcome #3: Information literacy – information literacy is the ability to know when information is needed. To be an information literate person, one must be able to identify, locate, evaluate and effectively use sources of information for an issue or problem at hand. Students will achieve this goal by:

- Determining the extent of information needed, accessing information using welldesigned strategies and evaluating it critically through ethical and legal means.

- Scoring a 4, 3, or 2 for all components within the Information Literacy Rubric (adopted from the AAC&U Information Literacy VALUE Rubric, the ACRL Information Literacy Framework and the PALNI consortium information literacy learning objectives) for artifacts submitted to demonstrate information literacy.

● Learning Outcome #4: Integrative Learning – integrative learning is the ability to make connections across disciplines. To effectively use integrative learning, one must be able to make connections among ideas and experiences and transfer learning to new situations. Students will achieve this goal by:

- Connecting relevant experience and academic knowledge across disciplines and applying them to new situations.

- Scoring a 4, 3, or 2 for all components within the AAC&U Integrative Learning Rubric for artifacts submitted to demonstrate integrative learning.

General Studies, B.A.

Four essential student learning outcomes have been identified for the Bachelor of Liberal Studies and General Studies majors.

They are:

1) effective written communication;

2) critical thinking;

3) information literacy and

4) integrative learning.

These student outcomes are expressly meant to prepare GS and BLS students for success in a rapidly changing, globally competitive and culturally diverse world and to lead productive and responsible lives. The details of each outcome are defined as follows:

● Learning Outcome #1: Effective written communication – written communication is the development and expression of ideas in writing. For written communication to be effective, one must possess the ability to use written language in a precise and user- friendly way in order to clearly express oneself to the intended audience. Students will achieve this goal by:

- Composing and presenting effective written messages with a variety of audiences using appropriate academic discourse and technologies.

- Scoring a 4, 3, or 2 for all components within the AAC&U Written Communication VALUE Rubric for artifacts submitted to demonstrate written communication.

● Learning Outcome #2: Critical thinking – critical thinking is the comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion. To exercise critical thinking, one must possess the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking and understand the logical connection between ideas. Students will achieve this goal by:

- Clearly identifying an issue or problem and carefully analyzing it using relevant sources of information in order to formulate logical conclusions.

- Scoring a 4, 3, or 2 for all components within the AAC&U Critical Thinking VALUE Rubric for artifacts submitted to demonstrate critical thinking.

● Learning Outcome #3: Information literacy – information literacy is the ability to know when information is needed. To be an information literate person, one must be able to identify, locate, evaluate and effectively use sources of information for an issue or problem at hand. Students will achieve this goal by:

- Determining the extent of information needed, accessing information using welldesigned strategies and evaluating it critically through ethical and legal means.

- Scoring a 4, 3, or 2 for all components within the Information Literacy Rubric (adopted from the AAC&U Information Literacy VALUE Rubric, the ACRL Information Literacy Framework and the PALNI consortium information literacy learning objectives) for artifacts submitted to demonstrate information literacy.

● Learning Outcome #4: Integrative Learning – integrative learning is the ability to make connections across disciplines. To effectively use integrative learning, one must be able to make connections among ideas and experiences and transfer learning to new situations. Students will achieve this goal by:

- Connecting relevant experience and academic knowledge across disciplines and applying them to new situations.

- Scoring a 4, 3, or 2 for all components within the AAC&U Integrative Learning Rubric for artifacts submitted to demonstrate integrative learning.

Individual Studies, B.A.

This program operates differently with regard to learning outcomes (since it provides a mechanism to create a major), Establishing learning outcomes for the Individual Studies program is in progress.