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Graduation Requirements 

AMALI: cultures and traditions of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America or Indigenous Peoples of the World

Students must complete at least one course in AMALI course (that is, cultures and traditions of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America or Indigenous Peoples of the World), which must meet the following criteria: (a) the course focuses primarily upon facets of specific cultures from these regions or these cultures in general (a minimum of 75% of the course content must deal directly with the culture(s) from these regions); (b) exploration of the culture(s) is developed in a comparative perspective which helps the student understand and appreciate differences between culture(s) under consideration and American culture; and (c) the course includes exposure to primary writings and artifacts from the culture(s).

To submit an existing course for consideration as an approved AMALI course, submit a Course Revision Proposal in the Curriculum Forms System. For a new course, the AMALI review should be requested at the same time the New Course Proposal is submitted. For both proposal forms, be sure to check "Yes" to the question on the proposal form regarding the AMALI graduation requirement and include a rationale in the comments section on how the course meets the AMALI criteria. AMALI course requests will be reviewed by an AMALI panel of experts who will review and grant/deny the AMALI designation. 

Learning Outcomes

AMALI designated courses should be designed to facilitate the students’ ability to accomplish the following learning outcomes:

  1. Develop cultural, historical and geographic knowledge of AMALI areas of the world.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of cultural imagination, empathy, personal and social responsibility in AMALI context.
  3. Analyze existing knowledge, research, and/or perspectives in AMALI context.
  4. Develop analytical skills in AMALI context.
  5. Demonstrate textual comprehension in AMALI context.
  6. Report information effectively, take perspective, and make informed judgments in a variety of genres, contexts, and disciplines in AMALI context.

IDEAS: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access in U.S. Society Graduation Requirement

In Fall 2021 the Academic Senate approved a new graduation requirement starting fall 2023 for all incoming first time in college students. Each student must complete at least one course in “IDEAS.” These are courses designed to recognize the benefits and challenges of living in a diverse society and to address the influence of power among social groups within the United States.

IDEAS designated courses may count both towards this graduation requirement and general education requirements; however, IDEAS courses cannot count towards both the IDEAS graduation requirement and the AMALI graduation requirement.

Graduation Requirement Satisfaction

Students can satisfy the IDEAS graduation requirement in three ways:

  1. Complete an IDEAS-approved course at Illinois State University.
  2. Complete an approved course in the Illinois Articulation Initiative General Education Core Curriculum - Designated with a "D" designation. 
  3. Complete a baccalaureate-oriented associates degree at an Illinois community college.

Learning Outcomes

Courses with an IDEAS designation should address some significant aspects of U.S. society as their central focus. A minimum of 75% of the course content must deal directly with topics that will meet the learning outcomes. 

IDEAS designated courses should be designed to facilitate the students’ ability to accomplish the following learning objectives:

  1. Analyze the influence of power among social groups in the United States. Discuss how markers of difference (e.g., class, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, language) interact in the formation, experiences, and transformations of individual actors and complex group.
  2. Identify the strengths and contributions of diverse groups within the U.S.
  3. Analyze the sources of preconceptions and bias influencing the experiences of diverse social groups in the U.S.
  4. Articulate the historical, social, and economics contexts that shape inequality, marginalization, and exclusion within U.S. society.
  5. Reflect on one’s own cultural identity, beliefs, biases, and privilege within dynamic socio-historical contexts.
  6. Examine how individuals from diverse groups express their identities and shape society in the U.S. through the arts, sciences, cultural practices, political and civic engagement, etc.

Course submissions should list and describe which of the IDEAS learning outcomes are addressed in the course. Not all learning outcomes must be addressed. Sample learning outcomes descriptions can be found on the Sample Alignment Table.

How to Submit an Existing or New Course for the IDEAS Designation

  • To submit an existing course for consideration as an approved IDEAS course, submit a Course Revision Proposal in the Curriculum Forms System.
  • For a new course, the IDEAS review should be requested at the same time the New Course Proposal is submitted.
  • For both proposal forms, be sure to check "Yes" to the question on the proposal form regarding the IDEAS graduation requirement and include a rationale in the comments section on how the course meets the IDEAS learning outcomes.
  • IDEAS course requests will be reviewed by an IDEAS panel of experts who will review and grant/deny the IDEAS designation. 
  • Once approved, IDEAS courses will be reviewed every 5 years to maintain their designation. 
2022-03-31T12:14:04.586-07:00 2022