Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
The Philosophy Department's Program Learning Outcomes comprise the measurable evidence of student learning that occurs as a result of undertaking a philosophy program at Santa Ana College. The Philosophy PLOs express the skillsets and competencies students are expected to obtain as a consequence of their learning experience in their chosen Philosophy Program.
The Philosophy Department's PLOs ensure that, upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
A. Demonstrate strong skills in critical thinking, logical analysis, and analytical writing.
B. Demonstrate an understanding of the core historical and contemporary ideas central to the discipline.
While the Philosophy Department's PLOs are introduced and developed in every course, the department also offers specific courses designated to meet competency in its PLOs. These courses are required for successful completion of the program and are listed below with a sample course-level outcome aimed at PLO alignment:
Competency in PLO (A) is expected in the following courses:
Philosophy 110 Critical ThinkingUpon successful completion of this course students will be able to identify common reasoning errors and cognitive biases that lead to faulty argumentation. Philosophy 111 LogicUpon successful completion of this course students will be able to identify the underlying logical structure of written sentences and arguments. Competency in PLO (B) is expected in the following courses:Philosophy 106 Intro to Philosophy
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to synthesize ideas from disparate discipline-specific readings in order to grasp philosophical issues and movements.
Philosophy 108 Ethics
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to understand key theories of ethics and to apply those theories to contemporary moral and social issues.
Philosophy 112 World Religions
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to identify concepts, traditions, and historical developments pertaining to several major world religions.
Philosophy 118 History of Philosophy
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to demonstrate the ability to critically analyze and evaluate the history of philosophy.
The department's programs ensure consistent opportunities for students to demonstrate their achievement of program goals in each competency-level course. Students, for example, may be asked to demonstrate their ability to translate arguments from English statements to symbolic logical form in order to demonstrate the validity or strength of an argument. Students may be expected to succinctly explain and synthesize any number of various philosophical concepts in writing that employs a well-developed thesis statement and demonstrates justification for said thesis while further demonstrating critical analysis and precise employment of course materials.
