Liberal Studies

1. Manage information

• Sort, compile and rank
• Apply knowledge to specific problems or tasks
• Synthesize facts, concepts and principles

2. Design and Plan

• Identify alternatives and options
• Set goals, priorities and measurable objectives
• Develop plans, implementation strategies and results
• Anticipate unintended outcomes
• Manage time, energy and resouces effectively
• Predict future trends and patterns
• Assess needs and performance

3. Research and Investigate

• Know how to access and use a variety of information sources
• Apply a variety of methods to test the validity of data
• Design an experiment or plan a creative endeavor
• Formulate a research question or area for inquiry
• Describe a process, object or event without factual errors

4. Communicate

• Listen with objectivity and articulate a message
• Use various forms and styles of written, oral and electronic communication
• Express needs, wants, opinions and values without violating the rights of others
• Identify and communicate value judgements effectively
• Convey a positive self-image to others

5. Manage Interpersonal Relationships

• Lead individuals or groups toward achievement of a common goal or purpose
• Maintain group cooperation and support
• Interact effectively with superiors, peers and subordinates in the workplace
• Express feelings appropriately and understand the feelings of others
• Use argumentation and persuasive techniques effectively
• Make commitments to others and follow through
• Teach skills, concepts and ideas to others
• Take the role of others to assess social behavior in various settings and circumstances
• Work effectively under time and environmental pressures

6. Think Critically

• Quickly identify and accurately assess critical issues
• Identify general principles that explain experiences or factual data
• Define the parameters of a problem or topic of inquiry
• Identify criteria for assessment of actions and behavior
• Adapt personal concepts and behavior to different conventions or norms
• Take a research question, premise, or strategy to its logical conclusion
• Create innovative solutions to complex problems
• Analyze inter-related events from several perspectives
• Have familiarity with various theories and applied processes of related disciplines
• Ability to identify concepts and construct methods of inquiry
• Interpret relevant data

7. Manage and Administer

• Identify people who can contribute to the solution of a problem
• Identify resources to complete tasks
• Delegate responsibility
• Motivate and lead people
• Organize people to achieve specific goals
• Be willing to take risks
• Initiate positive change in existing institutions when possible

8. Apply Values

• Assess the long-range effects to human welfare of policies and practices
• Make decisions that will maximize both the individual and collective good
• Appreciate the contributions of art, literature, science and technology to contemporary society
• Identify one's own values
• Assess personal values in relation to others and to important life decisions
• Understand diverse perspectives and feel comfortable working with people from diverse backgrounds within a global community

9. Develop a Successful Career and Personal Life

• Learn from life experiences
• Match knowledge of personal skills and characteristics with career opportunities
• Identify, describe and asses the relative importance of one's needs, values, interests, strengths and weaknesses
• Develop ongoing motivational growth and life-long learning goals
• Learn from negative criticism and experiences
• Persist
• Dare to dream
• Generate trust and confidence in others
• Accept the consequences of one's actions