Academic Information for Undergraduate Students

A student with a bachelor’s degree from UIS should be able to comprehend written and oral communications, from simple narrative to scholarly research, to literature, to journalistic writing, and should be able to use and apply abstractions, principles, ideas, or theories to concrete situations. Content, as well as form, is important to a baccalaureate education. The student should have broad familiarity with the social sciences, humanities, sciences, mathematics, and oral and written communication elements that provide a strong liberal arts foundation. Through the Engaged Citizenship Common Experience, which is a distinctive feature of a UIS education, students will also have the opportunity to make a difference in the world, by recognizing and practicing social responsibility and ethical decision-making, respecting diversity and inclusion, valuing engagement, and distinguishing the possibilities and limitations of social change in an interdisciplinary set of courses. The University of Illinois Springfield encourages an enhanced understanding of civic engagement in the broadest sense.

Goals and Learning Outcomes for Baccalaureate Education

By emphasizing scholarship skills in the service of the public good, UIS prepares students for lifelong learning and engaged citizenship. UIS prepares students to discover, integrate, apply, and communicate knowledge for the benefit of individuals, families, and communities.

Discovery of Knowledge

UIS graduates should be information and communication technology literate, exhibiting a strong proficiency in locating, reflectively comprehending, and synthesizing appropriate college-level readings, toward the goal of knowledge creation.

Competencies include:

  • Reading baccalaureate-level materials effectively, reflecting comprehension and synthesis.

  • Exhibiting a knowledge of and ability to effectively locate, evaluate, interpret, and use information.

  • Exhibiting a knowledge of and ability to use information and communication technologies.

Integration of Knowledge

UIS graduates should be able to evaluate and integrate information and concepts from multiple disciplines and perspectives.

Competencies include:

  • Engaging in critical thinking by analyzing, evaluating, and articulating a range of perspectives to solve problems through informed, rational, decision-making.

  • Differentiating the approaches that underlie the search for knowledge in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, history, or social and behavioral sciences.

Application of Knowledge

UIS graduates should be able to apply knowledge to address meaningful problems and issues in the real world.

Competencies include:

  • Exhibiting a knowledge of and ability to use contemporary technologies.

  • Identifying, interpreting, and analyzing quantitatively presented material and solve mathematical problems.

  • Constructing intellectual projects independently and work effectively in collaboration with others.

Communication of Knowledge

UIS graduates should be able to communicate knowledge and ideas effectively both orally and in writing.

Competencies include:

  • Expressing ideas, facts, and arguments in a written format that depicts competency in the use of syntax, organization, and style appropriate to the audience.

  • Exhibiting effective oral communication skills, paying attention to content and audience.

Engaged Citizenship

UIS graduates should be able to engage in questioning and critical thinking that leads them to explore peoples, systems, values, and perspectives that are beyond their usual boundaries. Students should engage in active and integrative learning to become ethical, responsible, and engaged citizens in a democracy.

Competencies include:

  • Recognizing the social responsibility of the individual within a larger community.

  • Practicing awareness of and respect for the diversity of cultures and peoples in this country and in the world.

  • Reflecting on the ways involvement, leadership, and respect for community occur at the local, regional, national, or international levels.

  • Identifying how social systems such as economic, political, and legal systems may impact individual development.

  • Engaging in informed, rational, and ethical decision-making and action.

  • Distinguishing the possibilities and limitations of social change.