UMKC General Education Core


Learning Outcomes

The UMKC General Education Core curriculum is designed to build students' capacity for intellectual inquiry and discovery, critical reasoning and effective communication. These skills help them become lifelong learners and find success in their chosen fields. The specific learning outcomes that will be achieved through the Core program are:

Communication Skills

Students will develop effective written, oral and visual/spatial communication competencies and the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences. They will develop their capacity to interpret information presented in a variety of formats. They will be able to evaluate the context of their messages and use proper form and style to engage audiences using a variety of media. They will demonstrate their critical engagement with audiences through reading, listening, reflecting and responding.

Technology and Information Literacy

Students will demonstrate effective use of research resources and incorporate the information obtained into their academic and creative endeavors. They will demonstrate their ability to locate, evaluate, organize and use research material from a broad range of sources. Students will be able to format and document source material in properly constructed papers, presentations and visual formats.

Scientific Reasoning and Quantitative Analysis

Students will apply principles and methods of science, math, statistics and logic to solve problems and draw logical inferences. They will develop a level of quantitative literacy that enables them to comprehend and evaluate information in a broad range of contexts. Students will understand methods and principles of scientific discovery and their application to all areas of learning, including the natural and social sciences.

Arts and Humanities

Students will develop an understanding of the human condition by exploring the variety of creative works and methods in the humanities, as well as the visual and performing arts. They will be able to explain the historical, cultural and social context of the humanities and fine arts. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the connections between the humanities and other areas of intellectual inquiry.

Interdisciplinary and Innovative Thinking

Students will demonstrate the ability to contextualize information and use the proper methods and theories as modes of understanding. Focusing on specific problems and issues, students will demonstrate the ability to consider new modes of analysis drawn from a range of fields. Students will be able to see and understand how thinking beyond disciplinary boundaries leads to innovation in all fields.

Culture and Diversity

Students will draw on a variety of disciplines to develop an understanding of the complexities of human cultures, past and present, and come to an informed sense of self and others. Students will demonstrate an awareness of a global culture that may include economic, environmental, political and social issues facing all cultures. They will develop an understanding of the factors defining cultural identities.

Human Actions, Values and Ethics

Students will analyze, interpret and/or reconstruct human events, experiences, actions and interactions. Students will understand principles of value and civic duty in a wide range of settings and will demonstrate an understanding of personal values and the values of others. Students will be able to identify ethical problems using their understanding of ethical theory and moral reasoning.

Civic and Community Engagement

Students will be able to identify the problems, challenges and opportunities of an urban university. Students will also understand their relationship to both a local and global community and the social, political and cultural issues therein. They will develop an appreciation for the meaning and global impact of urbanization. They will have an understanding of the U.S. and Missouri Constitutions and their impact on issues facing these various communities. They will engage with the UMKC community of learners.
