Defining Statements:
Portland State University's vision
is to enhance recognition of the value of higher education by continually
strengthening the metropolitan environment and utilizing that strength for its
own growth toward standards of excellence in accessible high quality research,
teaching and outreach programs. As a microcosm of the global society, the
metropolitan environment becomes a laboratory for Portland State in this
vision. It is the vision of a university that will set the standard for
institutions located in an urban setting.
Organizational Principles:
University Studies has four goals,
each with its own rubric:
1. Inquiry and Critical
Thinking. Students will learn
various modes of inquiry through interdisciplinary curricula problem-posing,
investigating, conceptualizing in order to become active, self-motivated, and
empowered learners.
2. Communication. Students
will enhance their capacity to communicate in various ways writing, graphics, numeracy,
and other visual and oral means to collaborate effectively with others in group
work, and to be competent in appropriate communication technologies.
3. The Diversity of Human
Experience. Students will enhance
their appreciation for and understanding of the rich complexity of the human
experience through the study of differences in ethnic and cultural
perspectives, class, race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability.
4. Ethics and Social
Responsibility. Students will
expand their understanding of the impact and value of individuals and their
choices on society, both intellectually and socially, through group projects
and collaboration in learning communities.
University has five components:
Freshman Inquiry: a year-long
course introducing students to different modes of inquiry and providing them
with the tools to succeed in advanced studies and their majors.
Transfer Transition: a course
for transfer students to orient them to PSU and build a foundation around the
four University Studies goals, as introduced in Freshman Inquiry and developed
throughout the general education program.
Sophomore Inquiry: three
different courses, each which leads into a thematically linked,
interdisciplinary cluster of courses at the upper-division level. Twenty-six different themes or clusters to
choose from.
Upper Division Cluster: three
courses linked to one of the Sophomore Inquiry courses.
Capstone course: teams of
students from different majors working together to complete a project addressing
a real problem in the Portland metropolitan community. Most capstones take place over two terms.
Requirements for Graduation:
| University Studies Requirements for students beginning in their first year Freshman Inquiry |
Number of Quarter Credits 15 12 12 6 45 |
University Studies Requirements for transfer studentsTransferring in |
40 35 31 27 |
| Total General Education Requirements Credits required for graduation General Education percent |
27-45 180 25% |