All undergraduate major programs that are not accredited by a disciplinary agency are required to teach and assess the six Skills in the Major:
- Oral Communication
- Written Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Research
- Technology
- Ethical Reasoning
SKIM is being implemented starting in 2017-2018, beginning with writing and critical thinking.
Representing the “vertical core,” Skills in the Major are derived from the Core Curriculum and ensure that major programs across the university are reinforcing formatively and at the capstone level skills that are introduced in general education courses.
Members of the Faculty Senate Skills in the Major Committee include:
Joanne Liebman Matson, Rhetoric and Writing, Chair
Miles Blanton, Physics and Astronomy
Julie Flinn, Anthropology
Kristen Gullicks-McIntyre, Applied Communication
Carol Macheak, Ottenheimer Library
Jan Thomas, Philosophy and Interdisciplinary Studies
SKIM workshops for Spring 2018 will be held from 12-2:00 PM in DSC-G on the following Fridays: February 9, March 9, and April 13.
Schedule for SKIM
The 6 goals will be phased in by 2021.
During 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 the focus will be on writing and critical thinking.
Deadlines for 2018:
Jan. 29, 2018: Submit plan for teaching and assessing writing* to SKIM Committee
[February 19 update: have received 19 of 22 reports, or 86%. Thank you!]
May 15, 2018: Include pilot results for assessing writing* and plan for teaching and assessing critical thinking* in University Program Assessment Reports
*programs may choose a different SKIM goal if it was already scheduled