Wor-Wic strives to combine the advantages of a general education core with opportunities to pursue a variety of occupational and technical programs. The curricula for the associate degree are designed to broaden and deepen the student’s education by helping the student meet the following objectives:
Communicate effectively, accurately, eloquently and respectfully.
a. Communicate effectively by sharing experiences, knowledge, perspectives and opinions clearly, concisely and persuasively using written, spoken, visual, numerical and symbolic conventions or digital media and technologies.
b. Communicate accurately and build trust through credibly documented information, correctly detailed reporting and logical rhetorical development. Accurate information provides careful documentation of facts both observed and researched.
c. Communicate eloquently through conventionally organized and coherently delivered ideas presented with a style and tone appropriate for the task.
d. Communicate with an awareness of context, using techniques that are appropriate for academic, professional or industry standards — or featuring creative, novel or inspiring approaches when appropriate.
e. Communicate respectfully by demonstrating empathy with the audience; allowing for diversity and inclusivity; considering, honoring and validating diverse backgrounds; demonstrating that a writer or speaker is mindful of the range of knowledge and experience among one’s community.
f. Engage audiences’ diverse ideas and opinions and offer relevant, reliable and timely information to build a bridge of shared values.
Make responsible, creative, empathetic and logical decisions to solve complex problems.
a. Identify complex problems to be faced as individuals in their many communities.
b. Follow professional, ethical and legal guidelines throughout the decision-making and problem-solving process.
c. Find responsible solutions that are developed from and informed by history, available evidence, current practices, constraints, limitations, context and community.
d. Employ available tools and invent new ones by creatively utilizing both common and novel practices.
e. Calculate risks and rewards, develop strategies, test hypotheses and inspire innovation.
f. Solve problems empathetically by promoting the overall health and well-being of all individuals and their many communities.
g. Make logical decisions that withstand critical evaluation because they are rooted in sound judgement, avoid fallacies and can be justified, tested and replicated.
Research with information literacy skills that are ethical, rigorous and rooted in critical reading.
a. Consult and interpret existing bodies of knowledge, whether primary or secondary sources.
b. Read critically, engaging each source actively, asking questions, annotating the material, seeking answers on the source’s own terms and articulating personal responses.
c. Demonstrate integrity by understanding the boundaries of the available tools and avoiding misinformation.
d. Investigate a source’s background by weighing the context, motives and biases of the author and analyzing how those factors may influence its message.
e. Apply information gleaned from research to make better decisions.
f. Document research carefully by applying appropriate, ethical information literacy conventions, always giving credit to the source according to the correct professional style.
Engage, lead and elevate communities.
a. Define community as any group with shared characteristics.
b. Recognize communities and characteristics that define and unite them while also recognizing that individuals belong to many communities to varying degrees.
c. Investigate and identify issues, question established structures, recognize and meet needs and improve inclusive access.
d. Work individually and cooperatively to support community members and activities.
e. Lead the community by first leading oneself:
i. Demonstrate skills and habits of emotional intelligence that convey self-efficacy and the value of others.
ii. Share perspectives. Listen to others.
iii. Recognize the importance of personal responsibility, autonomy, accountability and motivation.
iv. Demonstrate an awareness of evolving economic, political, social and cultural landscapes.
v. Suggest, plan and promote positive initiatives.
f. Recognize and solve problems and conflict.
