General Education Reform at Cuyamaca College:
Six core values

General Education courses provide a broad base of knowledge and skills and are intended to introduce a field of study and/or to prepare students for the workplace and community life. General Education courses are meant to be introductory in nature, and course outlines shall include a clear plan for assessing student learning so that students are held accountable for unitizing their General Education skills. All courses certified for general education should provide for the following six components.

The following is a brief summary of all six core values.  Implementation of core values is documented in the GE Survival Kit (pdf).

Component 1: Information Competency

Courses shall motivate students to develop information competency skills to improve the quality of education and everyday life through the selective use of information technology and information resources. Students will be able to identify information resources, apply appropriate tools to acquire information, formulate a search strategy, evaluate acquired information, and recognize alternative information sources.

This can be achieved through various activities including but not limited to: using computers, periodical/journal research, internet research, Web home-page projects, and library research orientations.

Component 2: Writing Across the Curriculum

Courses shall incorporate a variety of writing assignments appropriate to the course discipline.

This can be achieved through various writing assignments including but not limited to: article reviews, group projects, peer critiques, self-evaluations, journals and portfolios, community outreach proposals, or a research paper relevant to the discipline.

Component 3: Linkages

Courses shall promote an appreciation for the interdisciplinary and interdependent nature of courses and their relevance to the work force.

This can be achieved through various activities including but not limited to: interdisciplinary curriculum/assignments, learning communities, technology fairs, interdisciplinary workshops, team teaching, and discussions relating content between disciplines.

Component 4: General Education Outcome

To meet these General Education requirements, each General Education course must incorporate a minimum of seven boxes from three areas (columns) of the general education outcomes grid in GE Survival Kit.(pdf)

Component 5: Workplace Skills Outcomes

To meet these General Education requirements, each General Education course must incorporate a minimum of four boxes from two areas (columns) of the workplace outcomes grid below.

Component 6: Diversity Outcomes

To meet these General Education requirements, each General Education course must incorporate a minimum of three boxes from the diversity outcomes grid below.