James Madison University
AC-2: Learning Outcomes

Undergraduate General Education, Cluster 3 Learning Outcome (adopted 2018): Identify the interdependence of natural systems with the social, economic, and ethical aspects of global and local issues. General Education is required for all undergraduates.

Program: Engineering B.S. Relevant Program Objective/s: JMU Engineering graduates should have: c. the ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability. h. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context. Program: Geographic Science B.A./B.S. Relevant Program Objective/s: 5. Evaluate human-environment interactions from holistic point of view that addresses geographic, as well as political, social, economic, and ethical factors affecting those interactions. 5a. Identify human- and physical-oriented geographic factors related to patterns of resource use and management. 5b. Apply cross-disciplinary knowledge to solve human and environmental problems. 5c. Identify and describe the value of science and technology as aids in the solving of geographic problems. 5d. Account for political, social, economic and ethical factors that impact a problem and possible solutions. 5e. Describe and discuss the value of working or studying in different U.S. regions or world states. 6. Demonstrate civic responsibility and appreciation for culture and physical diversity from local to global scales. 6a. Apply geographic thinking to real-world problems, including appraisal of societal and environmental issues. 6b. Evaluate and interpret current issues pertaining to human diversity. Program: Integrated Science and Technology B.S. Relevant Program Objective/s: A-3. Describe the concept of equilibrium, including stable and unstable equilibrium, in the context of static and dynamic component and system behavior. H. ISAT graduates analyze science and technology within broader global, political, economic and social contexts. H-1. Explain the role of social and political institutions in solving scientific and technological problems at the local, national, and international level. H-2. Describe how social interests are expressed through democratic political processes. H- 3. Analyze how the interests of private and public stakeholders affect outcomes of political and economic processes. H-4. Suggest institutional designs or policy changes at the appropriate levels of organization to achieve public goals and express collective values. H-5. Explain how market forces influence technology development and adoption. H-6. Identify limitations of market forces to produce sustainable and socially optimal outcomes. K-5. Identify possible emergent behavior in systems, i.e. that a system may be more complex than the sum of its parts. K-6. Address complexity, ambiguity, and emergent behavior in problem solving. K-9. Demonstrate the ability to remain aware of short-term and long-term goals and micro and macro scales simultaneously, i.e. can see the forest AND the trees. Program: Integrated Science and Technology International Master’s Program in Environmental Management and Sustainability Relevant Program Description: The International Master’s Program in Environmental Management and Sustainability is designed to build interdisciplinary, holistic thinking and problem-solving skills using systems perspectives on environmental and sustainability challenges. Students in the program have the opportunity to focus on natural resource conservation or sustainable technology management. Elective coursework builds depth through specialized classes in analytical methods and techniques, resource conservation and management, and policy analysis. This is a dual degree program; as such, students are enrolled in classes at both the University of Malta and at James Madison University. Degrees are awarded by both schools to those who successfully complete their studies. JMU and University of Malta faculty contribute equally to instruction and project (or thesis) supervision. Source: 2015 curriculum guide found at https://www.jmu.edu/mems-malta/curriculum.shtml Number of students that graduate from programs that have adopted at least one sustainability learning outcome above: 239.

Responsible party for number of graduates: Ms. Elaine Smith, Office Manager, Office of Institutional Research. Information from 2016 Statistical Summary. Ms. Melissa Altman reviewed program assessment reports from academic year 2015-2016 to identify learning outcomes and entered the information. Responsible party for providing these reports: Dr. Kelston Fulcher, Executive Director, Center for Assessment and Research Studies.