The 21st-Century Literacies (12-26 depending on entering student profile) refer to foundational skills and knowledge that all students need in order to achieve the student learning outcomes associated with the qualities of the liberally educated person.
The five areas covered under 21st-Century Literacies are Information Literacy, Cross-Cultural/Foreign Language Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, Religious Literacy, and Scientific Literacy.
There are a variety of courses by which students can fulfill the Literacies requirement. Students are expected to discuss their selection of Literacies courses with their advisors.
Information Literacy (3 credits)
Fulfilled by the successful completion of IST 125
As a result of this course, students will:
- use and integrate Internet and Web technologies with software applications to evaluate information and solve problems
- apply and evaluate appropriate information and search strategies using Internet-based technologies
- demonstrate knowledge of the social, ethical, security, and legal issues associated with the use of internet-based digital information and technologies
- enhance their ability to communicate orally and electronically to peers and the general internet community
Cross-Cultural/Foreign Language Literacy
(0-6 credits)
The chair of the Romance Languages and Literatures Department determines placement into the appropriate level course by evaluation of some combination of high school/previous college transcripts and Cabrini-administered online placement tests.
Depending on their placement, students may demonstrate foreign language competency in four ways:
- Complete six credits by taking two introductory-level courses (101-102, 107-108) if the department deems the courses as appropriate placement based on prior language study or begin a new language.
Cabrini College is a member of a larger consortium (SEPCHE) that offers many languages in addition to those offered at the College. - Complete three credits by taking the second half of the introductory-level course (102, 106, 108, 110 or 114)
- Complete three credits by taking 201, 202, 203, 204 or any higher level course
- Exemption through advanced work and appropriate placement scores
Upon completion of this requirement, students will:
- demonstrate an understanding of the practices, perspectives and artifacts of the culture studied
- demonstrate an understanding of the nature of a language and culture through comparisons of the target language and culture to their own
- converse in the target language to provide and obtain information, express feelings and exchange opinions and will understand and interpret the spoken target language
- write with clarity in the target language to provide information, concepts and ideas and will understand and interpret the written target language
Quantitative Literacy (0-9 credits)
The chair of the Mathematics Department determines placement into the appropriate level course by evaluation of some combination of SAT scores, high school/previous college transcripts and Cabrini-administered placement tests. All new students (including transfer students) must take the Cabrini math placement tests to ensure the most appropriate placement.
Depending on their placement, students may demonstrate mathematical competence in four ways:
- Students whose mathematical skills need strengthening will be required to take a three-semester sequence of MAT 098 or MAT 099, as well as MAT 110 and MAT 111, to satisfy the math requirement. Each course carries three credits, but the credits for MAT 098 and MAT 099 do not count toward the 123 needed to graduate.
- Complete six credits by taking two courses from MAT 113-MAT 114 or MAT 117-MAT 118 or MAT 125-126
- More mathematically competent students may demonstrate their competence by taking MAT 130 (Calculus I) or a higher level course with the approval of the department chair. Such students are strongly encouraged to continue to develop their mathematical skills by taking additional courses, but they are not required to do so.
- Exemption through advanced work and appropriate placement scores
Upon completion of this requirement, students will:
- construct, interpret, and utilize mathematical models
- express quantitative information in graphic form (i.e. graphs, charts, tables)
- develop, analyze, and make inferences based on quantitative data
- solve real world problems using appropriate mathematical strategies
Religious Literacy (3 credits)
Fulfilled by successful completing of one course through the College's Religious Studies Department
Upon completion of this requirement, students will:
- demonstrate an awareness of how particular religious belief systems evolve and are challenged by society and culture
- demonstrate knowledge of the history, institutions, and texts of lived religious traditions and relate that knowledge to their own belief system
- demonstrate knowledge of the Roman Catholic Church's teachings on God, the Church, the world community, the individual, and issues related to the dignity of the human person
- enhance their ability to communicate through the written word by synthesizing ideas and developing supported positions about religious texts and/or traditions
Scientific Literacy* (6-8 credits)
Fulfilled by successful completion of two science courses with integrated laboratories
Upon completion of this requirement, students will:
- understand the interdisciplinary nature of science
- apply the scientific method and quantitative skills through laboratory and/or field experimentation and data analysis
- become aware of global social and ethical issues surrounding scientific discovery and technology
- enhance their ability to communicate scientific ideas in a written format used by science professionals
*Science majors only will complete 8 credit hours to complete their Science requirement. Elementary Education majors will continue to have a 7-credit requirement as part of their "Super Science" course.