Student Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) describe the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies, students gain as a result of learning. SLOs are assessed across the college in all academic programs, student services, and administrative offices and the results are used to make program improvements and increase student achievement. Southwestern College faculty and staff are committed to communicating expectations for student learning and to supporting students in all aspects of their educational development.

All course level SLOs are aligned to eight Institutional Student Learning Outcome areas identified as critical for students to develop during their experiences in college courses and programs.

Institutional Student Learning Outcomes

1. English Communication

ISLO 1: Identify, analyze, and create lines of reasoning and logical construction in written communication.
ISLO 2: Identify, analyze, and create lines of reasoning and logical construction in oral communication.
ISLO 3: Research, compose, then orally present a live speech that effectively communicates the intended message.

2. Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

ISLO 4: Apply quantitative reasoning and mathematical operations in theoretical and applied contexts to successfully identify, analyze, and solve related problems.
ISLO 5: Interpret and evaluate quantitative information presented numerically or graphically and formulate conclusions or apply relationships

3. Arts and Humanities

ISLO 6: Demonstrate creative thinking and artistic sensitivity in critiquing and creating works of performing arts, visual arts, or design and effectively describe the processes used.
ISLO 7: Analyze and evaluate variation in lived human experiences based on social identity, wellness, place, time, and other factors as presented and reflected in aesthetic, cultural, and linguistic expression.

4. Social and Behavioral Sciences

ISLO 8: Identify and analyze data, perspectives, trends, concepts, and issues pertaining to cognition, behavior, and social experience.

5. Physical and Biological Sciences

ISLO 9: Apply the scientific method to explain physical and biological information and phenomena.

6. Ethnic Studies

ISLO 10: Critically analyze the histories, lived experiences, and resistance of marginalized racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., examining how power, oppression, and intersectionality shape identities and social structures while applying Ethnic Studies methods to promote equity and justice.

7. Lifelong Learning and Wellness

ISLO 11: Articulate various contributions to self-development by identifying and applying factors that impact the body, mind, and spirit.

8. Information Literacy

ISLO 12: Research topics by employing appropriate strategies to search for, contextualize, and use information ethically while considering its societal value and barriers to access.