Student Learning Outcomes | Kean University

School of Communication Media and Journalism

SLO1: Understand how the power of communication helps change and shape society.
SLO2: Demonstrate diverse communication styles: oral, written, nonverbal and visual.
SLO3: Engage in critical dialogue to become reflective practitioners.
SLO4: Apply the ability to balance theory and experience.
SLO5: Demonstrate leadership skills and skills in coordinating team dynamics.
SLO6: Ground communication messages in a framework that promotes ethical analysis.

School of English Studies

Writing Option

SLO1: Students will acquire a process approach to writing through a series of drafts that include exploratory writing or talk, as well as revisions that include addition, deletion, substitution, and rearrangement.
SLO2: Students will recognize the value of writing as a recursive process by reflecting on their own writing, their peers’ writing, and previously published products through a range of theoretical and critical approaches.
SLO3: Students will use two or more methodologies from English Studies to develop original research, professional, or creative project.
SLO4: Students will demonstrate the ability to create multimodal or collaborative forms of writing through varying platforms.
SLO5: Students will develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the liberal arts by connecting readings and writing assignments to a variety of academic, pedagogic, and contemporary issues.

Standard Literature Option (also applies to teacher certification options)

SLO 1: Close Reading: Students will compose/offer comprehensive interpretations that systematically and strongly support a thesis while clearly demonstrating sensitivity to the nuances of literary expression.
SLO 2: Independent Thought/Original Insights: Students will marshal an analysis which strongly demonstrates individual investment in an interpretation, insightful discernment, and understanding of the reading.
SLO 3: Disciplinary Protocols: Students will demonstrate fluency and facility with appropriate disciplinary terms, theoretical concepts, stylistic conventions and the modes and methods of presentation, inquiry and/or research attendant to the field of literary studies.
SLO 4: Integration of Texts and Contexts: Students will connect literary texts to supplemental biographical, cultural/historical, economic, religious, and/or philosophical contexts, as well as various critical and theoretical perspectives.
SLO 5: Writing and Oral Presentation: Students will master the disciplinary conventions of written and oral presentations as demonstrated by cogent, purposeful, persuasive and insightful writing and oral reports.

School of Fine and Performing Arts

Fine Arts Conservatory

BFA Studio Art

SLO1: Attain foundational skills in creating art in two and three dimensions
SLO2: Utilize critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
SLO 3: Articulate intentions, and make the transition from ideation and feelings to the creation of visual statements in a variety of media.
SLO4: Attain verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to evaluate and describe works of art.
SLO5: Gain a general knowledge of the history of art, art theory and contemporary art issues.
SLO6: Expand creative potential through the production of an individual body of work.
SLO7: Attain professional training and mastery of technical skills as preparation for advanced study or professional careers in the arts.

B.A. FIne Art

SLO1: Experiment with, understand, and master a variety of techniques, materials and concepts that are the basics of the art-making process.
SLO2: Develop skills in observational drawing, as well as two and three-dimensional design.
SLO3: Express visual ideas, represent objects, and develop artwork conceptually
SLO4: Understand the history of art and art theory and have the capacity to respond in visual, written, and verbal forms to the development and execution of the art object with an awareness of its social context.

Music Conservatory

B.A. in Music

SLO1: demonstrate competencies in the areas of aural skills, sight-singing and ear-training, music reading (notation), and keyboard skills. KU-1, 4) (GE-K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, V1, V2, V3, V4, V5)
SLO2: demonstrate competencies in music theory and analysis. (KU-1, 4) (GE-K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5)
SLO3: describe the historical significance and structure of music literature representing various genres, styles, and cultures. (KU-1, 4) (GE-K4, S4, S5)
SLO4: perform works representing various genres, styles, and cultures. (KU-1) (GE-K3, K4, S4, S5, V1, V2, V4, V5)
SLO5: rehearse and perform, in both large and small ensembles, works representing various genres, styles, and cultures. (KU-3) (GE-K4, S4, S5, V1, V3, V4, V5)

B.M. in Music

SLO1: demonstrate competencies in the areas of musicianship, performance, aural skills, analysis, repertory, history, pedagogy and methods for success in the Music K-12 setting. (KU-1, 4) (GE-K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, V1, V2, V3, V4, V5)
SLO2: describe the historical significance and structure of music literature representing various genres, styles, and cultures. (KU-1, 4) (GE-K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5)
SLO3: demonstrate aural skills in sight-singing and ear training. (KU-1, 4) (GE-K4, S4, S5)
SLO4: perform works representing various genres, styles, and cultures. (KU-1) (GE-K3, K4, S4, S5, V1, V2, V4, V5)
SLO5: rehearse and perform, in both large and small ensembles, works representing various genres, styles, and cultures Offer quality experiences rehearsing and performing in both large and small ensembles. (KU-3) (GE- K4, S4, S5, V1, V3, V4, V5)
SLO6: teach vocal and instrumental music, grades K-12, in the State of NJ. (KU-1, 2, 3, 4) (GEK4, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, V1, V2, V3, V4, V5)

B.M. Music Performance

SLO1: demonstrate competencies in performance in voice or on individual’s instrument, performing works representing various genres, styles, and cultures. (KU-1, 4) (GE-K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5)
SLO2: describe the historical significance and structure of music literature representing various genres, styles, and cultures. (KU-1, 4) (GE-K4, S4, S5)
SLO3: demonstrate aural skills in sight-singing and ear training. (KU-1, 4) (GE-K4, S4, S5)
SLO4: rehearse and perform, in both large and small ensembles, works representing various genres, styles, and cultures Offer quality experiences rehearsing and performing in both large and small ensembles. (KU-3) (GE- K4, S4, S5, V1, V3, V4, V5)
SLO5: demonstrate competencies in the all areas of musicianship and pedagogy needed for success in a private music teaching (individual or group setting). (KU-1, 4) (GE-K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, V1, V2, V3, V4, V5)

Theatre Conservatory

SLO 1: Identify and articulate humanistic values and cultural diversity found in the study of theatre, represented by knowledge of the history, socio-cultural traditions, and literary richness [KU1, KU2, KU 3, GE1, GE8]
SLO 2: Develop and defend informed judgments about theatre through oral, written, and graphic communication skills [KU1, KU2, KU3, KU4, GE4, GE5]
SLO 3: Exhibit analytical, critical, creative thinking/ability and supportive research techniques [KU1, GE2]
SLO 4: Synthesize theatrical elements in class projects, production, and performance [KU1, KU2, KU3, KU4, GE2, GE4, GE5]
SLO 5: Articulate a coherent set of artistic and intellectual goals [KU1, KU2, KU3, KU4, GE6, GE8]
SLO 6: Demonstrate an informed acquaintance with fields of study beyond theatre such as those in the allied arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural and physical sciences [KU1, KU2, KU4, GE1]
SLO 7: Demonstrate competence in the major area of theatrical specialization by producing theatrical work [KU1, KU2, KU3, KU4, GE6, GE8]

School of Psychology

SLO1. Apply appropriate psychological constructs in measurement, research design, and statistical analyses (KU 2, 4) (GE K1, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, V1)

SLO2. Differentiate basic concepts and principles of the major theories of psychology (KU 4) (GE K2, S1, S2, S4)

SLO3. Critically evaluate classic and contemporary issues, advances, and research in psychology (KU 1, 2, 4) (GE K2, S1, S2, S4)

SLO4. Demonstrate knowledge of psychology as a profession including ethical guidelines, APA style of reporting, and the diversity of roles within the discipline (KU 3, 4) (GE K2, S1, S2, S4, V2)

SLO5. Demonstrate knowledge of the global, cross-sectional, interdisciplinary, and multicultural nature of psychology (KU 1, 3, 4) (GE K2, S1, S2, S4, V4)

SLO6. Master current technological tools in the field including conducting literature reviews, designing web-based research projects, data collection, data analyses, and writing professional reports (KU 2, 4) (GE K1, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5)

School of Social Sciences

B.A. in Economics

SLO1: Demonstrate an understanding of how markets organize core economic activities, such as production, distribution, and consumption, and the growth of productive resources.
SLO2: Critically analyze the determinants of macroeconomic conditions (national output, employment, and inflation), causes of business cycles, and interactions of monetary and fiscal policy.
SLO3: Effectively apply economic theories and methodologies, including quantitative skills, in analyzing economic issues in various sub-fields of Economics, in order to critique, and devise policy.
SLO4: Articulate an understanding of an economic issue, and it’s local, national, environmental and global contexts, through effective communication, both orally, and in writing, to various constituencies.

B.A. in Political Science

SLO1: Students will be able to compare/contrast the nature of political relationships based on an understanding of political structures, organizations, and constitutions.
SLO2: Describe the relationship between underlying theoretical principles and their practical political ramifications.
SLO3: Identify the extent to which political positions might be influenced by factors such as world view, cultural differences, race, class, ideologies, and gender.
SLO4: Analyze the nature of international and comparative political relationships.
SLO5: Describe importance of and discuss the role that political leadership plays and the obligations assumed by a politically informed citizenry within a democratic society.
SLO 6: Explain the workings of the American political system and describe the underlying philosophical commitments that provide for its foundations. (To be modified. See above.)

Sociology

SLO1: Demonstrate an understanding of the core concepts and theories within the sociological perspective through a rigorous analysis of society and social behavior.
SLO2: Critically analyze the effects of social structures and social forces on human lives, organizations and groups.
SLO3: Effectively comprehend and ethically use quantitative and qualitative methodologies to gain a better understanding of the social world.
SLO4: Identify the importance of diversity, democracy, egalitarianism and social justice in a pluralistic society and articulate the implications for social policy and action in efforts to bring about social change.
SLO5: Articulate, analyze and describe the relationship between their personal lives, the history of their world, and contemporary social arrangements in local, national, environmental, and global contexts.

Department of History

SLO 1: Demonstrate basic standards of historical literacy and perspective (KU 1, 3, 4) (GE K2, S1, S3, S4, S5)
SLO 2: Articulate an interpretive framework of the complex and interrelated causes, courses, and consequences of historical events (KU 1, 2, 3, 4) (GE K2, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5)
SLO 3: Perform sophisticated skills in examining, exploring, comparing, and critiquing a variety of sources and viewpoints: written, non-verbal, artistic, symbolic (KU 1, 2, 4) (GE K2, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5)
SLO 4: Critically and comparatively analyze individual cultures within national, regional, and global contexts (KU 1, 2, 3) (GE K2, S1, S2, S4, S5)
SLO 5: Demonstrate well-developed written and verbal skills in dissecting and creating nuanced analyses of historical events and historiographical interpretations of those events (KU 1, 4) (GE K2, S1, S2, S4, S5)