High-quality general education curricula planning needs to be undertaken in line with an overarching vision. With this in mind, the General Education Taskforce, headed by the Vice President of NTNU, took a comprehensive look into the general education concepts of well-known universities at home and abroad. Taking into consideration the unique qualities of NTNU’s faculty and the University’s educational priorities, the Center for General Education synthesized the Taskforce’s recommendations to arrive at the following general education concepts. These concepts now serve as signposts for any future implementation of general education curricula and courses at NTNU:
General Education Concepts
The holistic development of the individual as long been one of the central educational goals of NTNU and its overall development, a goal clearly expressed in the school motto: “cultivating future masters at NTNU with towering knowledge and abundant charisma.” This holistic development is correspondingly expressed across two key axes.
1. Students are encouraged to develop a personal definition of their lives and the world. Within and across this personal experience, they also learn to use different approaches to understand objective fields of study touching upon the humanities, society, and nature.
2. Students are prepared to eventually serve as active, participating members of society. Students are asked to study different academic fields not with the goal of giving them more information to memorize, or in an attempt to pique their interests. Instead, the true goal is to give students a deep familiarity with different points of view which they may use to improve their understanding of society and their own lives. From there, they may begin to reflect upon and respond to the public and social issues facing humans today.
1. Cultivating excellent language skills
To enable students to express their thoughts clearly and precisely. Through the study of foreign languages to strengthen a capacity to access information from different countries and regions and cultivate a broad and embracing global perspective.
2. Equipping students to pursue different knowledge paths
To enable students to learn the foundational concepts of different fields of study and to be able to use different knowledge concepts to explain and translate the human condition, including areas of self-development, the humanities and society, and the natural world. Through these different knowledge paths to then grasp the important issues currently facing society and the planet.
3. Cultivating an appreciation for beauty and a sensitivity to shades of meaning
To guide students in the appreciation and the creation of things of beauty, including music, fine arts, and literature appreciation; to teach them how to experience and be touched by the creations they may encounter in the world.
4. Fostering a multicultural mindset
To enable students to understand the social circumstance of different ethnic, religious and gender groups, and to understand the different value systems birthed by these circumstances. Through respect and appreciation of the differences between cultures to seek the co-existence, co-prosperity, and sustainable development of all peoples.
5. Cultivating communication and leadership skills
To cultivate in students a logical mind capable of problem solving, and the ability to use communication to harmonize differences and seek consensus.
General Education Core Literacy
1. Communication and Collaboration
An ability to listen to others and correctly understand the ideas being transmitted. To use appropriate communication and presentation skills to convey one’s opinion and understanding. An ability to share workloads and participate in group discussions to achieve group goals.
2. Multicultural Literacy and Global Perspectives
An ability to respect and appreciate the value of other cultures and to engage in intercultural communication to forward mutual understanding. To be able to grasp global trends and understand issues connected to globalization and localization.
3. Critical Thinking and Humanistic Literacy
An ability to use rational thinking and a desire for truth to analyze problems. A commitment to reaching conclusions through the review of evidence. Able to show respect and care for others and handle issues with conflicting values from a place of moral judgement.
4. Aesthetics and Taste
An ability to recognize the rich connotations of art and to be able to interpret and appreciate various artistic and performance works. An ability to use aesthetic awareness in daily life, including the use of basic art skills to express creativity.
5. Scientific Thinking and Information Literacy
An ability to understand basic scientific concepts and their application value. Be able to distinguish the functions and limitations of various forms of information media and to effectively use the internet to search and find information.
6. Active Exploration and Lifelong Learning
An ability to use various learning resources and channels in the pursuit of new knowledge. Be able to recognize the importance of lifelong learning and engage in constant enrichment in different knowledge spheres to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.
7. Innovative Leadership and Problem Solving
An ability to use creativity and innovative thinking to lead group members in overcoming bottlenecks. To be able to systematically analyze and explore problems and use effective strategies to solve them.
8. Social Concern and Citizenship Practice
An ability to care for society’s disadvantaged groups and use relevant knowledge and skills to take effective action to promote social justice. To be able to leverage citizen power to build social consensus. An ability to take pragmatic social action and to participate in social change.