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Student Goals in the Touchstone Program
Goal One: To communicate clearly and effectively in standard English.
To achieve this goal, students should:
1. Read, write, and speak standard English.
2. Analyze written, spoken, and nonverbal messages from a variety of
disciplines; and
3. Understand and practice rhetorical techniques and styles by writing and by
giving oral
presentations
Goal Two: To acquire and appreciate quantitative skills.
To achieve this goal, students should:
1. Solve mathematical problems of the type necessary for living in today’s and
tomorrow’s world;
2. Make valid inferences from data;
3. Understand that quantitative analysis is important to almost every endeavor
of humankind; and
4. Understand the concept and application of quantitative relationships.
Goal Three: To use critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a variety of
research methods.
To achieve this goal, students should:
1. Identify sound and unsound reasoning;
2. Analyze and use a variety of information gathering techniques;
3. Conduct independent research;
4. Use computers competently; and
5. Use the library and other information sources competently.
Goal Four: To recognize and appreciate human diversity (both past and present)
as well as the diversity of ideas, institutions, philosophies, moral codes, and
ethical principles.
To achieve this goal, students should:
1. Analyze diverse world cultures, societies, languages, historical periods and
artistic
expressions.
2. Understand cultures in their own terms and in terms the diversity of ideas,
institutions,
philosophies, moral codes, and ethical principles; and,
3. Understand the nature of social and cultural conflict and methods of
resolution.
Goal Five: To understand scientific knowledge in terms of its methods or
acquisition, its specific quantitative nature, and its dynamic and contingent
character.
To achieve this goal, students should:
1. Study areas of science that may affect everyday life;
2. Identify and develop hypotheses, design studies, and collect data in light of
these hypotheses;
3. Take accurate measurements and make detailed observations to reach valid
empirical conclusions; and
4. Understand how scientific theories change over time.
Goal Six: To understand aesthetic values, the creative process, and the
interconnectedness
of the literary, visual, and performing arts throughout the history of
civilization.
To achieve this goal, students should:
1. Participate in and/or observe a variety of artistic expressions;
2. Study the discipline and techniques involved in artistic creations; and
3. Understand how and why people use artistic form.
Goal Seven: To examine values, attitudes, beliefs, and habits which define the
nature
and quality of life.
To achieve this goal, students should:
1. Reflect on the role played in their lives by school, work, leisure, and
community involvement;
2. Examine problems, issues, and choices that confront citizens of the world;
3. Pursue basic principles of wellness;
4. Take responsibility for the consequences of their actions and choices; and
5. Articulate and assess their personal ethical principles.
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