About Crossings
Why Crossings?
The Crossings model outlines three areas for the development of Clemson University undergraduate students: Communication, Ways of Knowing, and engagement with Global Challenges.
The model provides the academic structure whereby skills, knowledge, and intellectual development acquired in the general education curriculum crosses with those in the major course of study. It is where theoretical knowledge crosses into engaged learning and practical applications. It is where students cross from novice to professional.
Communication
For students, faculty, and employers, the ability to effectively communicate is always toward the top of any list of desired skills and abilities. The Crossings curriculum has at minimum one course in Written Communication (3 credit hours) and one course in Oral Communication (3 credit hours).
Student learning outcome statement for Communication: Students will demonstrate competence in communication through organization of a central message with supporting materials in the chosen medium.
Ways of Knowing
A general education curriculum should ensure learning across different disciplines and domains of knowledge. We describe this area as Ways of Knowing. Foundational study across epistemologies is an important component of developing higher order thinking skills. The Crossings curriculum has at minimum one course in Mathematics (3 credit hours), one course in Natural Sciences with Lab (4 credit hours), two courses in Arts and Humanities (6 credit hours, 3 hours of which focus on literature), two courses in Social Sciences (6 credit hours, selected from two different fields).
Student learning outcome for Mathematics: Students will demonstrate mathematical literacy through interpretation of mathematical forms and performing calculations.
Student learning outcome for Natural Sciences: Students will demonstrate the process of scientific reasoning through experimental activity and critical comparison of their results to those predicted by accepted natural science principles.
Student learning outcome for Arts and Humanities: Students will analyze, interpret, and employ aesthetic, ethical, linguistic, and/or philosophical discourse in relevant contexts. -or- Students will create, perform, interpret, reinterpret, and/or criticize artistic works.
Student learning outcome for Social Sciences: Students will use social science concepts and evidence to explain human actions or behaviors in the past, the present, and/or the future.Global Challenges
The Global Challenges area of Crossings is new, going into effect with the fall 2022 undergraduate catalog. It was created based upon framing questions over a four-year period, with input from over 600 faculty, students, staff, and other stakeholders. In exploring Global Challenges in courses, we are helping our students reinforce learning in critical thinking, evaluation, and ethical analysis. The Crossings curriculum will include 6 credit hours in Global Challenges.
Student learning outcomes for Global Challenges area: 1.) Students will demonstrate critical thinking through analysis of global challenges. 2.) Students will evaluate how varying perspectives influence global challenges. 3.) Students will demonstrate the integration of ethics into analysis of global challenges. (Each Global Challenges course will incorporate at least two of the three student learning outcomes.)
