Academics

Overview to the College’s Student Learning Assessment System

 

The College’s Student Learning Assessment System (S.L.A.S.) consists of two major components: (a) one for General Education and (b) another for each Degree Program registered with the New York State Department of Education.

 

General Education consists of a set of courses that address the essential skills, knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes the faculty and administration deem necessary for any graduate of Five Towns to demonstrate in order to function effectively in a democratic society as an educated citizen. Among these essential General Education skills, knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes are the abilities to think critically, to write well, to speak well, to value art and music, to understand cultural diversity, to know how to locate and evaluate the quality of information, to use computers, and to have some understanding of the Scientific Method and quantitative reasoning.

 

The faculty in each Degree Program offered at Five Towns has also established a set of essential skills, knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes for each of their programs. For example, the B.F.A. in Film/Video requires students wishing to graduate to demonstrate skills and knowledge in Film History, Cinematography, Film Editing, Film Directing, Film Producing, and Script Writing. In order to be awarded a B.F.A. in Film/Video, a student must take the required courses in the Film/Video Division that not only provide instruction in these important areas but also provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to meet the graduation standards in each required area.