The University of Massachusetts Amherst

Learning Outcomes

The purposes of General Education can be organized within four learning outcome categories:

Content
Critical Thinking
Communication
Connections
  • Fundamental questions, ideas, and methods of analysis in the humanities and fine arts, social sciences, mathematics, and natural and physical sciences
  • Creative, analytical, quantitative, & critical thinking through inquiry, problem solving, & synthesis
  • Pluralistic perspective-taking and awareness of the relationship among culture, self, and others
  • Developing information and technological literacy**
  • Communicating persuasively and effectively orally and in writing
  • Working effectively and collaboratively (in groups, across perspectives)**
  • Developing information and technological literacy**
  • The application and integration of these methods of analysis to real world problems and contexts
  • Pluralistic perspective taking and awareness of the relationship among culture, self, and others**
  • Understanding and evaluating the consequences of one’s choices and the implications of one’s actions

**objectives present in more than one Gen Ed category