Area E: Lifelong Learning and Self-Development

Introduction

This requirement is designed to equip students for lifelong learning and self-development as integrated physiological, psychological, and social beings. Courses in this area focus on topics such as student success strategies, human behavior, sexuality, nutrition, physical and mental health, stress management, information literacy, social relationships and relationships with the environment, as well as implications of death and dying or avenues of lifelong learning. Physical activity may be included, if it is an integral part of the study elements described herein. Courses in this area shall focus on the development of skills, abilities and dispositions. Courses in Area E shall be four units of lower-division foundational course work.

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Template Requirements

The current list of courses approved for Area E can be found in the Cal Poly catalog.

SUBAREA	STANDARD	HIGH-UNIT
Lower-Division (E)	4	4

 

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Area E Curriculum Guidelines

As you review the sections that follow, please note that "Educational Objectives" refer to what students will learn by completing that subarea while "Criteria" refer to how the course is designed to support that learning. Together, these objectives and criteria are referred to as our "(curriculum) guidelines". Additional information about GE curriculum guidelines can be found here.
 

Area E: Lifelong Learning and Self-Development

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Educational Objectives

Upon completion of a qualifying Area E course, students should be able to meet five or more of the following:

• EO1 Explain the importance of maintaining physical, social, and mental health;
• EO2 Describe the self as an integrated physiological, psychological, and social being;
• EO3 Recognize themselves as individuals undergoing a particular stage of human development;
• EO4 Practice appropriate social skills to enhance learning and develop positive relationships with others who have identities and experiences different from their own;
• EO5 Develop a lifelong commitment to practices for personal growth, health, well-being, and societal responsibility;
• EO6 Describe the commonalities and differences among people across the lifespan in social or cultural contexts;
• EO7 Evaluate how well-being is affected by social systems and how they can facilitate their personal development;
• EO8 Critically evaluate information sources and merit of claims on the basis of methods and empirical evidence.

 

Criteria

The course proposal and expanded outline for lower-division Area E courses must clearly indicate how they meet all of these criteria:

• CR1 Introduce the knowledge, skills and attitudes to engage in learning and personal development practices;
• CR2 Examine the interrelation of physiological, psychological, and social-cultural factors on personal development across the lifespan;
• CR3 Illustrate the physiological, socio-cultural, and psychological influences on the well-being of individuals and groups;
• CR4 Examine the interaction of social institutions, culture, and environment with individual behavior.
• CR5 Explore the importance of active engagement by individuals in their communities for the betterment of personal and public life;
• CR6 Apply theories and methods to examine the self in various contexts and assess the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches;
• CR7 Focus on lifelong learning and/or student success strategies (but not emphasize the logistics of progressing through a degree program);
• CR8 Require disciplinary appropriate writing assignments that comprise at least 10% of overall course grade.

 

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Sources:

• AS-913-21 "Resolution to Establish Area F in the General Education 2020 Template" (pdf). 2 March 2021.
• AS-889-20 "Resolution on Subject Area Guidelines (II) for General Education 2020" (pdf). 3 March 2020.