Academics

Engaged Citizenship Curriculum

Simpson's ENGAGED CITIZENSHIP curriculum is designed to prepare students for future academic and professional SUCCESS.

With Simpson's curriculum, the courses students take delve deeper and focus more on projects that provide hands-on understanding of the subject matter. These courses allow students to work closely and build strong relationships with faculty members — just one of the hallmarks of a great Simpson education. Our curriculum encourages students to take advantage of Simpson's community partnerships, hold internships, study abroad or conduct independent research.

Simpson's curriculum also allows students to gain those skills and experiences valued most by employers. In fact, the curriculum was designed in response to research conducted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) about what employers are looking for in future employees. The study shows that managers are no longer hiring based solely on a student's major — they are looking for effective communicators, innovators and problem solvers.

Simpson has responded by building Embedded Skills into many courses. These skills help students grow and develop the expertise needed to succeed in graduate school or the workplace. The seven embedded skills are:

  • Collaborative Leadership
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Intercultural Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Written Communication

Many courses at Simpson help students gain these valuable skills. For example, students may learn about oral communication by presenting a history paper or practice collaborative leadership through a group project in a biology course.

In addition to classes in their major, students will take seven Areas of Engagement courses, giving them the knowledge needed to effectively participate in their communities. Several classes qualify for each area of engagement, so students have the flexibility to take courses that closely align with their interests. The areas of engagement are:

  • The Arts
  • Civic Engagement
  • Diversity and Power in the United States
  • Ethics and Values Inquiry
  • Global Perspectives
  • Historical Perspectives on Western Culture
  • Scientific Reasoning

Finally, students take two courses to bookend their Simpson Experience: the Simpson Colloquium and the Senior Capstone. The Simpson Colloquium is taken during the first semester of college and is designed to help students make the transition to college life. The Senior Capstone is a culminating project in each student's major demonstrating their proficiency in a chosen field of study.

According to the AAC&U, “a liberal education helps you achieve broad knowledge and a set of skills and capacities that you need for all kinds of careers, and for the rest of your life as well.” Simpson is on the forefront of providing the kind of experiential, liberal arts education college graduates need to succeed in their careers and achieve fulfillment in their lives.

Simpson is excited to offer this new curriculum beginning in the fall of 2011.

Last Updated: 11/18/11