Sociology Snapshot - Major Learning Goals

Major Learning Goals

PSA graduates, like all College of Agriculture graduates are expected to be proficient in:

Communications

• be able to speak and write clearly and persuasively
• demonstrate the skills necessary to prepare effective visual presentations
• be able to receive information effectively through reading, listening, and observations

Problem-solving/critical thinking

• be able to work effectively independently and with others on complex, issue-laden problems requiring holistic problem-solving approaches
• demonstrate ability to:
  • distinguish verifiable facts from value claims
  • determine the accuracy of statements
  • identify assumptions and detect bias
  • distinguish relevant from irrelevant information
  • prioritize needs
• be able to summarize, analyze, and interpret research data

Ethics

• develop an ethical perspective and sense of moral responsibility and values
• be able to discuss contemporary ethical and moral issues in professional and private life
• be able to critically evaluate their own arguments and those of others

Environmental awareness

• understand the physical and biological properties of the environment and how these properties are interlinked within ecological systems
• understand how human activities, such as modern agricultural practices, impact on the environment and how societies are affected by environmental change

International/multicultural awareness

• have an awareness and understanding of cultural diversity within our own nation and around the world
• develop a global perspective on agricultural, environmental, economic, and natural resource issues

PSA majors, like other Sociology Department majors and minors will know how social institutions, communities, and organizations work and change; and causes and consequences of conformity, deviance, and inequality. They will read and observe critically, think independently, and communicate effectively about social issues and social policy. They will apply sociological concepts and theories of human behavior to practical work situations and everyday life. The will lead responsibly and act ethically. Upon graduation, they will assume responsible roles in private and public organizations and business, continue life-long learning, and through voluntary activities make positive contributions to civic society.

PSA graduates are skillful in applying social science knowledge to agriculture and rural problems. The have the ability to communicate effectively, think creatively, lead responsibly, and act ethically. Mores specifically, PSA graduates:

(Plagiarized /borrowed from NREM)

1. Develop, explain and evaluate their own beliefs, values and behavior in relation to professional and societal standards of ethics.
2. Anticipate, analyze and evaluate natural resource issues and explain the ecological, economic, and social consequences of natural resource actions at various scales and over time.
3. Actively seek the input and perspectives of diverse stakeholders regarding natural resource problems and issues.
4. Assess, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information fairly and objectively.
5. Work effectively, both individually and with others, on complex, value-laden natural resource problems that require holistic problem solving approaches.
6. Formulate and evaluate alternative solutions to complex problems and recommend and defend best alternatives.
7. Communicate clearly and effectively with different types of audiences using appropriate oral, visual, electronic, and written techniques.
8. Recognize and interpret resource problems across spatial scales from local to global.
9. Appreciate cultural diversity and understand the impact of the global distribution of people and wealth on natural resource use and valuation.
10. Exercise life-long learning skills developed before graduation.