Students in all First-Year Seminars will demonstrate the ability to:
- read critically, annotate texts, and gather and interpret evidence. (Active reading).
- thoroughly (systematically and methodically) analyze their own and others' assumptions and evaluate the relevance of contexts when presenting a position. (Examining assumptions.)
- critically state, describe, and clarify the issue or problem to be considered so that understanding is not seriously impeded by omissions. (Explanation of issues.)
- understand context, audience, and purpose in response to an assigned writing task or assignment (Context and purpose for writing.)
- use appropriate, relevant, and compelling content to explore ideas through writing within the context of the course or discipline in order to shape the work as a whole. (Content development.)
- formulate and clearly express a specific position (perspective, thesis/hypothesis) that takes into account the complexities of an issue while acknowledging other points of view. (Point of view.)
- access information using effective, well-designed search strategies and most appropriate information sources; communicate, organize and synthesize information from sources to fully achieve a specific purpose, with clarity and depth. (Accessing and organizing information.)
- use credible, relevant sources to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing and document sources using standard citation formats. (Sources and evidence.)
- draw conclusions that are logically tied to a range of information, including opposing viewpoints; clearly identify related outcomes, consequences, and implications. (Conclusions and related outcomes.)
- clearly convey meaning to readers in straightforward language that is generally free of grammatical and mechanical errors. (Control of syntax and mechanics.)
