Student Learning Objectives

University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Mission Statement

Mission: Eho’omālamalama i komālama. Cultivating the potential within each member of our community. Located in the diverse community and environment in the world, the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa is a globally recognized center of learning and research with a kuleana to serve the people and places of Hawai`i, and our neighbors in the Pacific and Asia. We cultivate creative and innovative leaders who mālama our people, our places, and our ways of knowing in order to sustain and transform our island and the world.

University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Study Abroad Center Mission Statement

Students in the Study Abroad Center Programs shall acquire knowledge through academic work in other countries and develop cross-cultural understanding through cultural immersion in those countries. Faculty in Study Abroad Programs shall have similar opportunities for research, professional development and teaching.

Program Learning Objectives

Students in Study Abroad Programs: 1) Gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of other cultures and their environments; 2) Develop different perspectives in regard to other nations; 3) Develop increased capacity to analyze issues with appreciation for disparate viewpoints; and 4) Acquire increased respect and tolerance of differences – all contributing to a citizenry better able to succeed in the 21st century.

Course Student Learning Objectives

Upon completion of a course students will achieve at least one of the following objectives and be able to:

  1. Demonstrate awareness of own cultural values and biases and how these impact their ability to work with others.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of diversity with a focus on the population or topic of interest in the specific Study Abroad program.
  3. Communicate appropriately and effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
  4. Demonstrate an increased capacity to analyze issues with appreciation for disparate viewpoints.

SAC programs are also designed to meet the program objectives of individual departments and the Mānoa undergraduate general education requirements. SAC has helped various departments to fulfill their goals of meeting student learning outcomes. For example, the Department of Political Science requires majors to complete a three-credit course applying their knowledge and expanding it to real world settings (Political Science 403: Community Action Field Work). SAC offers such a course that fulfills this major requirement. In the same manner SAC programs offer curricula that helps departments with their 2nd year foreign language, major, minor, certificate, focus, graduation, and elective requirements.

They additionally meet SAC’s overall program mission through its curriculum, experiential learning activities, in-country orientations, pre-departure preparations and many other channels.

Program Curriculum and Activities Map

SAC Program Objectives Program Requirements
1. Gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of other cultures and their environments Take at least one course from the UHM Resident Faculty Director that is site specific fulfilling SAC course SLOs; and/or participate in experiential learning activities offered by the UHM Resident Faculty Director designed to fulfill SAC course SLOs.
2. Develop different perspectives in regard to other nations Enroll in classes offered by the host institution faculty member; 12 hours of mandatory pre-departure cross-cultural training, which cover site specific life and culture; academic life, climate, food habits, health and safety issues.
3. Develop increased capacity to analyze issues with appreciation for disparate viewpoints Take at least three courses offered by host institution’s faculty in the student’s UHM 2nd year foreign language, major, minor, certificate, elective or graduation degree requirements.
4. Develop increased respect and tolerance of differences Live with a host family in an immersion setting or live with local students in University dormitory.
SAC Course Objectives (together with discipline specific course objectives) Requirements of Geography 409: Cultural Biogeography Course (taught in Paris as an example)
1. Demonstrate awareness of own cultural values and biases and how these impact their ability to work with others. Take classes with host institution students and work in group projects.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of diversity with a focus on the population or topic of interest in the specific Study Abroad program. Articulate the patterns of globalization and movement of crops.
3. Communicate appropriately & effectively with diverse individuals & groups. Understand linkages between foods and cultural identity.
4. Demonstrate an increased capacity to analyze issues with appreciation for disparate viewpoints. Critically analyze the French concept of terroir through excursions to various different parts of the French agricultural landscape and environment from wine to beer producing regions.

The Study Abroad Center has measurable indicators of SLO achievement through writing projects and completion rates of students in the program.