College-level Competency Statements & TTU Student Learning Outcomes

Texas Tech University has developed language that identifies what our institution expects of students enrolled in Core Curriculum Courses in each of the Foundational Component Areas. This language is presented in two ways: as a general College-Level Competency Statement and as a set of specific Student Learning Outcomes. These statements are developed and evaluated by Texas Tech University's Core Curriculum Committee and reflect TTU's commitment to developing institution-level outcomes for all undergraduate students. Following is a list of each Foundational Component Area (bolded), College-Level Competency Statement (italicized), and Texas Tech University Student Learning Outcomes (bulleted).

Communication: Students graduating from Texas Tech University should be able to develop ideas and express them clearly, considering the effect of the message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate effectively.

• Demonstrate the ability to specify audience and purpose and to make appropriate communication choices.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate form and content in written, visual, and oral communication.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply basic principles of critical thinking, problem solving and technical proficiency in the development and documentation of exposition and arguments.

Mathematics: Students graduating from Texas Tech University should demonstrate the ability to apply quantitative and logical skills to solve problems.

• Apply arithmetic, algebraic, geometric and statistical and/or logical reasoning to solve problems.
• Represent and evaluate basic mathematical information numerically, graphically, and symbolically.
• Use mathematical and/or logical reasoning to evaluate the validity of an argument.
• Interpret mathematical and/or logical models such as formulas, graphs, tables and schematics, and draw inference from them.

Life and Physical Sciences: Students graduating from Texas Tech University should be able to explain some of the major concepts in the Life and Physical Sciences and demonstrate an understanding to problem solving, including ethics.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the scientific method and to contrast it with other ways of understanding the world.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the tools and methods used by scientists to study the natural world.
• Explain some of the major theories in the Natural Sciences.
• Describe how Natural Sciences research informs societal issues, including ethics.

Language, Philosophy, and Culture: Students graduating from Texas Tech University should be able to think critically and evaluate possible multiple interpretations, cultural and historical contexts, and values.

• Identify methodologies of historical, literary, philosophical, and/or aesthetic research and recognize their applicability to everyday life.
• Develop analytical arguments in written and/or oral forms.
• Evaluate events, ideas, and artistic expressions in terms of multiple cultural contexts and value systems.
• Demonstrate ways in which the humanities are fundamental to the health and survival of any society.

Creative Arts: Students graduating from Texas Tech University should be able to construct, present, and defend critical and aesthetic judgments of works in the creative arts.

• Identify and describe a body of works (individually and collectively) in the creative arts.
• Explain and differentiate creative works as expressions of values within cultural and historical contexts.
• Analyze and summarize aesthetic principles that structure creative works.

American History: Students graduating from Texas Tech University should demonstrate an understanding of the historical origins of the United States and be able to identify and describe the importance of key individuals and events in United States and/or Texas history.

• Identify and explain the origins and evolution of the political systems and political cultures that have shaped the United States and Texas.
• Identify and analyze the various social and cultural factors that have shaped the daily experiences of people living in the U.S. and Texas.
• Develop and demonstrate analytical arguments in written and/or oral forms, related to American and Texas history.

Government/Political Science: Students graduating from Texas Tech University should demonstrate an understanding of the organization and functions of the different levels of government in the United States, be able to explain the importance of the United States Constitution and those of the states, and be able to comment on the role of civic engagement in United States politics and culture.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the origins and evolution of U.S. and Texas political systems.

Social and Behavioral Sciences: Students graduating from Texas Tech University should be able to demonstrate the ability to assess critically claims about social issues, human behavior, and diversity in human experiences.

• Identify and critique alternative explanations for claims about social issues and human behavior.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate and ethical methods, technologies, and data that social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.