Definition of Terms

Literacy
Literacy or the state of being literate. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Literate as: "

• 1a: educated, cultured
  
• 1b: able to read and write 
  
• 2a: versed in literature or creative writing: literary
  
• 2b: lucid, polished <a literate essay>
• 2c: having knowledge or competence <computer-literate> <politically literate>”

Student Learning Outcomes
The student learning outcomes for the HSHP General Education Program is similar to Curricular Outcomes defined for each major.  These outcomes are defined as a series of measurable statements that provide a framework for the evaluation of students’ intellectual growth.  Students’ intellectual growth is achieved through their ability to acquire knowledge and skills, integrating and applying these to develop competency within their field of study. Areas of intellectual growth may include aesthetic appreciation as well as subject matter directly related to the students’ majors and minors that contribute to lifelong learning, character development, and service to others.

• Knowledge
  The ability to recall, classify, apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information to achieve intellectual growth.
• Skills
  The ability that is learned and acquired through training, in order to perform actions that achieve a desired outcome.
• Competencies
  Knowledge, skills, personal attributes, and behaviors that are needed for successful accomplishment of a field of study.

Critical Thinking
"Critical thinking is the disciplined mental activity of evaluating arguments or propositions and making judgments that can guide the development of beliefs and taking action.” Huitt, W. (1998).

Analytical Thinking

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines analytical as

• “1: of or relating to analysis or analytics; especially: separating something into component parts or constituent
• 3: skilled in or using analysis especially in thinking or reasoning <a keenly analytic person>"

Therefore, analytical thinking is centered on separating problems into their component parts and understanding the inter-relationships as they relate to the whole. The scientific method is one form of analytical thinking.

Reference
Huitt, W. (1998). Critical thinking: An overview. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University.
Retrieved [date] from, http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/cogsys/critthnk.html. [Revision of paper presented at the Critical Thinking Conference sponsored by Gordon College, Barnesville, GA, March, 1993.]