DIVISION OF GENERAL EDUCATION AND INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
Bridie Chapman, PhD
Acting Associate Dean
Division of General Education and Interdisciplinary Studies
CAS-121B (908) 737-0364
The Division of General Education and Interdisciplinary Studies collaborates with programs that address academic and non-academic issues affecting student retention and integration into the university community. It supports innovative teaching practices and curriculum development to inspire and serve the needs of Kean students in all majors.
The mission of Kean University's General Education (G.E.) Program is to develop students' knowledge and skills acquisition to improve their academic success. The General Education Program strategically implements and assesses its curriculum to help students thrive and to become lifelong learners.
Through the General Education Program students learn to integrate knowledge and methods to address historical and contemporary questions. The General Education Program develops habits of mind including proficiency in communication in both oral and written forms, quantitative literacy, critical thinking, and information and technology literacies. It instills students with a distinct set of values. These values include ethical judgment and integrity, active citizenship and diversity.
The General Education Program provides support to first-year students through experiences that acculturate students to the academic, social and emotional demands of college and by modeling behavior designed to ensure retention, successful degree completion, and graduation.
Through the General Education Program, students are engaged in active learning experiences in a curriculum consisting of a wide-range of courses in the liberal arts designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of all Kean University undergraduate students.
Student Learning Outcomes
1) Transdisciplinarity
The ability to integrate knowledge and methods from different fields to address historical or contemporary questions.
2) Critical Thinking
The ability to utilize reflective analysis to draw informed conclusions.
3) Quantitative Literacy
The ability to utilize numerical data accurately and effectively to address real world problems.
4) Communication Literacies
The ability to speak and write effectively to convey an evidence-based argument.
5) Information and Technology Literacies
The ability to utilize information and communications technology critically and effectively in a rapidly changing world.
6) Active Citizenship
A commitment to lifelong civic engagement at a local, national and/or global level.
7) Ethical Judgment and Integrity
The ability to draw responsible conclusions from ethical questions to guide personal conduct.
8) Diversity
A commitment to promote inclusivity in a diverse world.