Departments and programs that offer majors should be preparing for the process of general education assessment which occurs at the department level at Kenyon.
The following are the College's goals for general education:
- Students acquire knowledge and understanding of fine arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.
- Students learn to gather information from a variety of sources and evaluate its quality.
- Students learn to formulate ideas rigorously and communicate them effectively, in speaking and in writing.
- Students learn languages and engage with diverse cultures.
- Students address ethical questions and make informed qualitative judgments.
- Students acquire quantitative skills and analyze data.
- Students develop an aesthetic sensibility through practice and critical examination of the fine, performing, and literary arts.
- Students learn to work creatively.
- Students learn to work collaboratively and across disciplines.
- Prepare for leadership and for civic and community engagement
The department/program is required to meet annually to discuss the general education goals and outcomes and prepare a report. Some members of the department/program (rotating on an annual basis) prepare for the meeting by filling out a report from one of their classes that indicates which goals are addressed in their classes, and how well students have achieved the goal based on specific information about the results of a test or assignment that relates to the goal. For departments of ten or less members, half the members should assess a class and complete tables each year. For departments over ten, no more than five members should assess a class and prepare tables in a given year.
The GEAR Assessment Report and the GEAR Assessment Tables may be found on the Forms for the Provost's Office page.