General Education

Capacities

What are the essential human capacities for the future?

Answers to this question take many forms, but all speak clearly to the same underlying values. A deeper dive into the ongoing conversation about careers and higher education quickly points to the capacities that will empower learners to thrive in a contemporary world. Twenty-first-century capacities are more than the ability to work with computers or pursue science, technology, and engineering studies.

While no course, program, or major can address every one of these essential capacities, a university education strives to develop them all to a greater degree over time. Lifelong learners know that these skills improve continually with every learning adventure.

Purposeful Learning Capacity

Purposeful Learning makes a case for intentional lifelong learning and is the foundation for developing all other capacities. The capacity for Purposeful Learning builds perspective and enhances self-knowledge. Purposeful Learning promotes meaningful self-reflection that enables learners to adapt flexibly to changes, explore personal and professional options, productively pursue new opportunities, leverage skills to progress toward goals, and continuously learn and improve.

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Communication and Expression

The capacity for Communication and Expression enables learners to identify, develop, and share ideas in diverse social settings, listen to others, receive feedback, engage in dialogue, and show up in the world proficiently and proactively. Understanding how information is shared, particularly how Communication and Expression function in the information age, is critical to the future.

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Inquiry and Analysis

The capacity for Inquiry and Analysis is the bedrock of all knowledge and discovery. Inquiry and Analysis prepare learners to ask meaningful questions, apply research methods to those questions, analyze and evaluate data, synthesize information, formulate conclusions, and discover answers for themselves and others. This capacity leads to deeper understanding and ethical decision-making based on solid evidence.

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Creativity and Innovation

The capacity for Creativity and Innovation contributes to discovering, planning, and implementing original and valuable approaches to complex problems. Creativity and Innovation foster the deep curiosity and ambition needed for bold, confident action. The capacity for Creativity and Innovation is about self-starting, leading, motivating, and managing creative ideas and solutions.

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Numerical Literacy

The capacity for Numerical Literacy prepares learners to investigate quantitative questions about our world, apply appropriate mathematical methods of data exploration, and effectively communicate results in various numerical formats. Numerical Literacy is the ability to speak a language crucial to understanding and participating in our complex, data-driven world. Understanding data, facts, figures, and statistics informs opinions, perspectives, and decisions as individuals and members of the larger community.

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SOU General Education Equity Diversity Inclusion Capacity Learn More

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The capacity for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion* prepares learners to contribute to equitable living outcomes in local and global communities, develop empathy and respect, and strengthen the communication tools needed to be contributing members of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive society. This capacity is about working cooperatively and collaboratively with others, valuing our shared humanity and life experiences, and honoring the social awareness that allows us to work well with people from all walks of life.

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*For more information about Southern Oregon University’s commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive campus for all students, faculty, and staff, visit: edi.sou.edu