Designing a syllabus to meet SBC Learning Outcomes

Visit the Undergraduate Bulletin for a complete listing of SBC categories. 

Each SBC category requires certified courses to fulfill one or more learning outcomes (see Learning Outcomes and Standards for ARTS and DIV as examples). ARTS requires certified courses to satisfy only one of the four learning outcomes, while DIV requires certified courses to satisfy two of the four learning outcomes.

Revised syllabi submitted to meet SBC learning outcomes should include learning outcomes that address how the course meets the learning standards designed for the particular SBC category.

a)   SBC Learning outcomes on the syllabus should be copied verbatim from those that are defined in the Bulletin.  The learning outcomes on the syllabus should adhere to the minimum standards as defined for each SBC category in the Bulletin.
b)   The faculty author of the course must specify both:
          i.   which SBC learning outcomes they are teaching in the course by using verbatim language from the Bulletin and
          ii.  what learning activity(ies) align(s) with each SBC outcome in the context of the class.

Learning outcomes for IAE 101 Digital Intelligence (new course approved for ARTS and TECH)

Learning Outcomes for HIS 264 (recently approved for DIV in addition to existing SBC USA)

Learning Outcomes for WST 102 (recently approved for DIV in addition to existing SBCs SBS and CER)

Double and Triple certifications

• In general, you can combine up to two "content" areas (demonstrate versatility, pursue deeper understanding) with up to two "skills" areas (prepare for life-long learning). STAS counts as two "content" areas since it is by design an interdisciplinary category, so you can double certify STAS with up to one "skill" area (prepare for life-long learning).
  
  
• Some courses might be designed in such a manner that they fulfill the learning outcomes of two or three areas. Students who pass this course will fulfill requirements in two or three categories, if the courses are approved.
  
  
• Multiple certification is limited to no more than THREE categories, with no more than TWO categories among “demonstrate versatility" and “pursue deeper understanding” PLUS no more than TWO from “prepare for lifelong learning.”  For example, valid triple certifications could include ARTS/SBS+/ESI or ARTS/ESI/CER or TECH/QPS/ESI. Invalid certifications would include ARTS/USA/STEM+ or ESI/CER/SPK.
  
  
• Theoretically, a course may be double or triple certified, as long as (a) the learning outcomes of each certification are distinct and (b) each set of learning outcomes are satisfied according to the standards of each distinct category. 
  
  It would be unlikely that a course would be double certified as USA/SBS+ if the SBS+ objectives are predominantly focused on US history.  An important clue for the certification committee will be what prerequisites the course requires.  For example, a course proposed as USA/SBS+ with a prerequisite of “understanding of introductory US History” would likely not pass muster.  However, a course that introduces US history but has advanced discussions in another Social Science topic might be a good candidate for USA/SBS+ certification, as long as the sets are distinct.
  
  
• STAS courses are meant to satisfy ONLY the STAS requirement, and may not carry multiple certifications.  By design, STAS courses are interdisciplinary, so double certification of STAS courses would imply that they are ALL double certified in some fashion.  STAS courses, however, can be double certified to satisfy “Prepare for Lifelong Learning.”