Proficiencies and Experiences
Human Diversity (required)
The Human Diversity proficiency requirement challenges students to explore in a reflective way basic issues related to race, ethnicity, gender, or societal difference. This requirement may be satisfied by taking courses or participating in on- or off-campus projects which bring together aspects of human diversity in a creative and meaningful way. It is recommended that students complete this requirement in their first year.
Courses that satisfy the HD proficiency include graded coursework that requires you to explore in a reflective way basic issues related to race, ethnicity, gender, or societies in the developing world. This focus should be central to course content and not an isolated or peripheral unit. Human Diversity activities must be sustained over time and include a reflective component.
What is required?
Successful completion of one Human Diversity course or an approved activity.
You may fulfill Human Diversity by:
- successfully completing an SMU course that has been tagged for Human Diversity
- successfully completing SMU or transfer coursework that you believe meets the Human Diversity requirement and filing a Course-Based Proficiency Request
- participating in an activity outside of class that has been approved for Human Diversity
- demonstrating Human Diversity through a Non-Course-Based Proficiency Request
Information Literacy (required)
Satisfying the Information Literacy proficiency requires students to engage in independent research, data generation and/or analysis, or identifying, evaluating, and using material data beyond what is provided by the professor or covered in class.
Courses that satisfy the Information Literacy proficiency include graded coursework that requires you to engage in independent research, data analysis, identifying, evaluating, and using material data beyond what is provided by the professor or covered in class. Courses with annotated bibliographies, literature reviews, and multiple-staged research papers, reports or projects will typically satisfy this requirement. This proficiency cannot be met with coursework used to satisfy the Discernment and Discourse Foundation requirement. Note that this proficiency can be satisfied through courses that focus on tools for accessing/collecting and drawing appropriate conclusions from data.
What is required?
Successful completion of one Information Literacy course or an approved activity.
You may fulfill Information Literacy by:
- successfully completing an SMU course that has been tagged for Information Literacy
- successfully completing SMU or transfer coursework that you believe meets the Information Literacy requirement and filing a Course-Based Proficiency Request
Special Information Literacy Policies
You may not satisfy the Information Literacy Proficiency with DISC coursework, including ENGL 2306 which is co-listed with DISC 2306.
Oral CommunicationOral Communication (required)
Students will engage in substantial activities, inside or outside the classroom, that develop oral communication skills, such as arguing a position, presenting spontaneous ideas, presenting reports and projects, or performing presentations and speeches fluently.
Courses that satisfy the Oral Communication proficiency include graded coursework that requires you to make at least one formal, public oral presentation. This requirement cannot be met through class participation.
What is required?
Successful completion of one Oral Communication course or an approved activity.
You may fulfill Oral Communication by:
- successfully completing an SMU course that has been tagged for Oral Communication
- successfully completing a transfer course that has been approved for Oral Communication (may need to file a DPR Update Request if the DPR doesn't recognize the class automatically)
- successfully completing SMU or transfer coursework that you believe meets the Oral Communication requirement and filing a Course-Based Proficiency Request
- participating in an activity outside of class that has been approved for Oral Communication
- demonstrating Oral Communication through a Non-Course-Based Proficiency Request
Special Oral Communication Policies
You may not satisfy the Oral Communication Proficiency with DISC coursework, including ENGL 2306 which is co-listed with DISC 2306.
WritingWriting (required)
Building on the Discernment and Discourse sequence, students will enhance their writing ability by composing coherent, well-supported and carefully edited essays and reports suitable for a range of different audiences and purposes.
These writing assignments must constitute a substantial and clearly understood component of the final course grade. The courses must require at least two separate, formal writing assignments totaling at least 4000 words or 15 pages. Exams, in-class essays and journals cannot be used to satisfy the writing proficiency because the requirement stipulates that students employ the full range of the writing process, from rough draft to edited product. Additionally, group and/or team-based writing projects cannot be used to satisfy the Writing proficiency.
What is required?
Successful completion of one Writing course or an approved activity.
You may fulfill Writing by:
- successfully completing an SMU course that has been tagged for Writing
- successfully completing SMU or transfer coursework that you believe meets the Writing requirement and filing a Course-Based Proficiency Request
- participating in an activity outside of class that has been approved for Writing
- demonstrating Writing through a Non-Course-Based Proficiency Request
Special Writing Proficiency Policies:
You may not satisfy your Writing Proficiency with DISC coursework, including ENGL 2306 which is co-listed with DISC 2306.
Community EngagementCommunity Engagement
The Community Engagement experience requirement challenges students to engage in a reflective way in substantial community-based activities where communities are groups of people with a shared identity held together by ties of affinity or necessity not easily broken. This requirement may be satisfied by engaging in communities that are civic, religious, professional, familial, ethnic or otherwise constituted.
Courses that satisfy the CE proficiency include graded coursework that requires you to engage in a community outside beyond your SMU classroom and to apply your classroom learning to meet a community need. This can be done through coursework with a significant community service requirement, coursework that includes an internship, coursework in which students work with non-campus clients, etc. Community Engagement activities must be sustained over time and include a reflective component. (NOTE: Coursework in which you leave class to observe and even reflect on places/occurrences beyond your classroom is not sufficient to meet this proficiency.)
What is required?
One course or activity.
You may fulfill Community Engagement by:
- successfully completing an SMU course that has been tagged for Community Engagement
- successfully completing SMU or transfer coursework that you believe meets the Community Engagement requirement and filing a Course-Based Proficiency Request
- participating in an activity outside of class that has been approved for Community Engagement
- demonstrating Community Engagement through a Non-Course-Based Proficiency Request
Global Engagement
You will participate in activities or take courses that require both engagement with other societies and cultures and reflection about these experiences. NOTE: While the intended preference for cultures visited or studied under Global Engagement is non- US cultures, it is understood that opportunities exist to engage global cultures within the borders of the United States, particularly those which have not yet been fully integrated.
Courses that satisfy the GE proficiency include graded coursework that reflects substantive intellectual engagement with concerns related to non-US cultures or to immigrant cultures within the United States. This focus should be central to course content and not an isolated or peripheral unit. Global Engagement activities must be sustained over time and include a reflective component.
What is required?
One course or activity.
You may fulfill Global Engagement by:
- successfully completing an SMU course that has been tagged for Global Engagement
- successfully completing SMU or transfer coursework that you believe meets the Global Engagement requirement and filing a Course-Based Proficiency Request
- participating in an activity outside of class that has been approved for Global Engagement
- demonstrating Global Engagement through a Non-Course-Based Proficiency Request
Quantitative Reasoning
In addition to Quantitative Foundations course work, you will take one course in which quantitative reasoning skills are central to course content, delivery, and evaluation. “QR” courses may be entirely devoted to quantitative reasoning, such as offerings in mathematics and statistics. “QR” designations may also be attached to other courses in other disciplines that include major quantitative reasoning. One course, beyond the Quantitative Reasoning Foundation component, is required.
Courses that satisfy the Quantitative Reasoning proficiency include graded coursework that provides mathematical or statistical problems, formula, graphs, or charts demonstrating how these items were applied in the course. Course syllabi, sample test problems, writing samples, or oral presentations in which mathematical or statistical problems, formula, graphs, or charts were used as support be considered. This proficiency cannot be met through coursework used to satisfy your Quantitative Foundation or MATH 1303/1304.
What is required?
One course or qualifying exam credit.
You may fulfill Quantitative Reasoning by:
- successfully completing an SMU course that has been tagged for Quantitative Reasoning
- earning exam or transfer credit for ECO 1311
- successfully completing SMU or transfer coursework that you believe meets the Quantitative Reasoning requirement and filing a Course-Based Proficiency Request
Special Quantitative Reasoning Policies:
You may not satisfy the Quantitative Reasoning Proficiency with a course used to satisfy your Quantitative Foundation.