General Education
General Education Philosophy
Central to Eastern’s vision and mission is the College’s commitment to the development of each student as a well-educated individual. So the college requires a general education core curriculum as an integral part of all degree programs.
The general education course curriculum is intended to provide all students, regardless of major, with the knowledge and skills that serve as the foundation for lifelong learning, professional success, and personal achievement. The general education program promotes the development of independent, critical, and conceptual thinking skills, which are necessary for effective communication.
The general education curriculum demonstrates the College’s commitment to providing appropriate and relevant education to enhance the growth and development of learners as they face the challenges of the 21st century.
General Education Goals
Students who have completed the general education requirements of an associate degree will develop improved competencies in the following:
Written and Oral Communication
Use writing and speaking skills to communicate effectively. Learning Outcomes
WOC-I Create and communicate ideas convincingly in writing, adapted specifically to suit a particular audience, purpose, and context.
WOC-2 Utilize proper language conventions within a field to create accurate and largely error-free communications.
WOC-3 Effectively convey ideas by employing various delivery aids and techniques, including voice modulation, eye contact, gestures, and posture.
Critical Analysis and Reasoning
Examine, assess, and integrate concepts spanning various fields to tackle intricate inquiries and challenges.
Learning Outcomes Assessment
CAR-I State clearly and comprehensively describe an issue or problem to be critically considered.
CAR-2 Draw, cite, and apply evidence from multiple, highly credible sources.
CAR-3 Articulate and defend a position with compelling arguments. CAR-4 Identify and weigh alternative outcomes to a problem or case.
Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning
Apply fundamental scientific and/or mathematical concepts to investigate, evaluate and/or to solve problems.
Learning Outcomes
SQR-I Identify problems and formulate questions and hypotheses.
SQR-2 Collect, summarize, and draw appropriate conclusions based on data analysis.
SQR-3 Use mathematical/computational skills to solve applications and/or real-world problems.
Technological Competency- Use the appropriate discipline-specific technologies to complete tasks effectively.
TC-I Demonstrate effective use of a specific technology to achieve a desired task outcome.
Information Literacy
Access and integrate sources into written, oral, and/or visual media and use the appropriate discipline-specific technologies to complete tasks effectively.
Learning Outcomes
IL-I Identify and access sources of information that are credible, relevant to a stated purpose, and appropriate within a discipline.
IL-2 Synthesize source material to support a specific point.
IL-3 Use an appropriate documentation style consistently and correctly to credit source material.
Global Diversity
Recognize and appreciate diverse cultural practices, traditions, and perspectives from around the world.
Learning Outcomes
GD-I Evaluate and compare different cultural, social, and economic perspectives from various regions worldwide.
GD-2 Develop skills to communicate respectfully and effectively in diverse cultural settings, considering different communication norms and practices.
GD•3 Analyze how global systems, such as economics, politics, or environmental issues, are interconnected across diverse regions and cultures.
Humanities/Fine Arts Inquiry
Show a broad understanding of the theories, perspectives and methods of the Humanities and Fine Arts by
Learning Outcomes Assessment
HFA-I Demonstrating knowledge of the human condition using discipline appropriate criteria.
HFA-2 Respond to the human condition using discipline specific criteria.
AHI-3 Explaining how context (historical, cultural, etc.) influences the creation or interpretation of the topic of study.
Please Note: Each degree and certificate program contains required general education courses. Students must select general education courses from the approved courses listed in the General Education Courses and Designations in the current catalog, and posted in the semester schedule of courses.
5-Year Assessment Cycle for General Education Learning Outcomes:
| • Written and Oral Communication | 2025-2026
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning • Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning |
2026-2027
• Technological Competency • Information Literacy |
• Global Diversity |
2028-2029 • Humanities/Fine Arts Inquiry |