PHILSylabus.docx

Hallmarks Learning Goals in Philosophies of the Good Life

The Hallmarks Core is a carefully designed sequence of courses that all Jefferson students complete, no matter which major they choose. These 14 courses add up to 40 credit hours, or about a third of your education, as required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This curriculum guides you progressively through your education in the eight Hallmarks learning goals and also provides support for the completion of your Hallmarks Folio.
 
Each of the Hallmarks Core courses targets a different combination of learning goals, while also contributing to a broader education that expands your understanding of the world. Each year of the curriculum features one “touchstone” course, where your completion of the Hallmarks Folio is evaluated and advanced. (For further information, please see the Hallmarks Core website: https://www.jefferson.edu/university/hallmarks-program.html)
 

Philosophies of the Good Life is a fourth and final touchstone course in the Hallmarks Core; it addresses the Contextual Communication, Intercultural Insight, Intellectual Risk-Taking, and Ethical Reflection learning goals.

INTELLECTUAL RISK-TAKING: Take creative and intellectual risks when exploring ideas and real-world problems.
This learning goal emphasizes the power of connecting new ideas with your existing knowledge in bold and innovative ways.  Creative breakthroughs occur when you cross intellectual boundaries and apply knowledge outside of its original context.  Initiative is also needed to extend your creative and academic ideas beyond the classroom for real-world problem solving.
In the context of this course, you are developing your Intellectual Risk-taking skills when you:
· Transfer knowledge by applying previous learning appropriately to new contexts.

Ethical reflection: Affirm an ethical compass to guide personal, civic and professional life.
This learning goal prepares you to use ethical reasoning to make responsible choices about your behavior as a person, citizen and professional.  Defining your obligations to others is a personal undertaking, but the study of ethics can provide the framework for you to find your answers.  Your education as a professional requires you to understand the ethical standards and reasoning skills required for your practice.
In the context of this course, you are developing your Ethical Reflection skills when you:
· Interpret the obligations and rights of citizens in local, national, and/or global contexts.

CONTEXTUAL COMMUNICATION: Develop and share insights using appropriate means of expression.
This learning goal emphasizes the importance of communication skills for developing and expressing your ideas and understandings.  Effective communication requires multiple drafts of your message and attention to your audience, your format and the organization and mechanics of your product.  It is not just a tool for expression, but also a strategy for developing your thoughts and insights.
In the context of this course, you are developing your Contextual Communication outcome when you:
· Combine appropriate written, oral, and graphic communication skills to convey knowledge and present ideas.

INTERCULTURAL INSIGHT: Consider multiple perspectives in to relate to others and strengthen communities.
This learning goal highlights the ability to view situations from the perspectives of others. This skill can allow you to overcome barriers to communication and cooperation to build stronger relationships and communities. Thinking empathetically gives you new viewpoints, and can help you see and appreciate aspects of a situation that you might have otherwise missed.
In the context of this course, you are developing your Intercultural Insight skills when you:
· Apply cross-cultural knowledge and empathy appropriately when considering real-world problems.
 
By the end of this course, your Hallmarks Folio/Hallmarks Pathway should be completed and ready to demonstrate your development and mastery of all 8 Hallmarks learning goals.
 

Portfolio Progress Requirement

In this touchstone course, you will write 4 reflective essays for artifacts that you are adding to your Hallmarks portfolio. Each essay will be graded and count for 5% of your course grade (for a total of 20%). You will also upload your 4 artifacts with the accompanying reflective essays to a new system on Canvas (called Portfolium). Completing this task and having 16 completed items in your portfolio is worth another 20% of your final grade in the course. More details on the transition from Pathbrite to Canvas will be given in class!