Theme 3: Social and Cultural Understanding
Posted on Friday, March 18th, 2022
Rationale: Knowing the patterns and precedents of the past provides the means by which people may develop awareness of their place in contemporary culture and society. Such knowledge also helps frame an understanding of the main currents of one’s own culture and that of others across time in order to place one’s personal experience in the collective that constitutes culture at large.
Content: Courses in this area deal broadly with major social and cultural themes that define people and events historically and geographically. Many focus on the various ways that historical and contemporary events may be interpreted through available evidence. Students thus develop an appreciation for and understanding of the impact of socio-cultural, ethnic, and religious forces on individuals and groups. The following Objectives define the general learning outcomes of courses in the Social and Cultural Understanding General Education Theme.
Theme Objectives:
Past and Present—Here, There, and Everywhere
- Identify the patterns and precedents of the past that provide the means by which people may develop awareness of their place in contemporary culture and society.
- Examine the main currents of one’s own culture and that of others across time in order to place one’s personal experience in culture at large.
- Outline the major social and cultural themes that define people and events historically and geographically.
Making Sense of It All
- Analyze the various ways that historical and contemporary events may be interpreted through available evidence.
- Evaluate the impact of socio-cultural, economic, ethical, ethnic, and/or religious forces on groups, individuals, and yourself.
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