College of Arts and
Humanities
Distinction in Engagement Activity Requirements
Graduation with Distinction in Engagement in the College of Arts and Humanities recognizes students who actively engage learning, service, and citizenship at an exemplary level. The following guidelines enable students to plan, engage, and complete their program of Distinction in Engagement.
Note: examples provided below serve as
representative types of activities that would fulfill the
goals and outcomes established by the College of Arts and
Humanities; other kinds of activities that fulfill the goals and
outcomes are acceptable.
Category 1: Engagement in learning within the major
Learning Outcome
- Students will develop a greater understanding of their major or discipline, beyond the basic requirements of their major.
Activity Examples
-
Undergraduate research, creative activity, or scholarship which involves formal presentation and peer review; for example, giving a graphic arts presentation to faculty in partial fulfillment of the application for a departmental scholarship or making a presentation at the Student Academic Conference.
-
Supervised internship in a professional setting where skills and knowledge can be used and strengthened; for example an English major with a writing emphasis has a writing-focused internship for one semester with a local agency.
Category 2: Engagement in learning beyond the major
Learning Outcome
- Students will develop interests and knowledge beyond their major or discipline, a characteristic of an educated person
Activity Examples
-
Complete two years of study of a world language.
-
Completion of a minor, a second major, program, or certification.
Category 3: Engagement in service within the University
Learning Outcomes
-
Students will develop the ability to work with others.
-
Students will develop organizational skills.
-
Students will have a greater sense of ownership of the MSUM community.
Activity Examples
-
Become a Dragon Ambassador, Peer Advisor, Peer Educator , Admissions Office A-Team member, Resident Hall Assistant, or Student Orientation Counselor (SOC) for an academic year or serve as a Peer Tutor for at least one year.
-
Accept an appointment on a University or Student Affairs committee, and regularly attend and participate for at least one academic year.
-
Serve as an officer in a student organization.
-
Participate with a University music ensemble (for non-music majors) or competitive sports team for at least one academic year.
Category 4: Engagement in service beyond the University
Learning Outcomes
-
Students will develop an appreciation for the needs of others.
-
Students will develop the ability to work with others.
-
Students will develop organizational skills.
Activity Examples (minimum 30 hours)
-
Participate in the America Reads Project the Library LLL’s Read Aloud Program.
-
Develop and carry out a project through Volunteer Visions within the community.
-
Assist with community service programs, such as, Meals on Wheels, Retirement Home Visitations, or service at the Dorothy Day House.
Category 5: Engagement in citizenship within the region
Learning Outcomes
- Students will develop a greater understanding of politics, human rights, and/or civics in the region
Activity Examples (minimum 30 hours)
-
Assume a leadership position or be an active participant in a student or community organization involved in governmental, social justice, or political issues
-
Work on a political campaign, help with fund raising, assist with voter registration, volunteer to work at your local polling site, lobby at the legislature, and/or advocate for students’ issues with regional representatives
-
Participate regularly in TOCAR activies or committees for at least one year
Category 6: Engagement in citizenship beyond the region
Learning Outcomes
-
Students will develop a greater understanding of national or international politics, human rights issues, and/or civics beyond the Tri-state (MN, ND, SD) region.
-
Students will develop a greater appreciation for the struggles people face in different parts of the nation or world.
Activity Examples (minimum 30 hours)
-
Participate in a charitable organization or project that improves the lives of others nationally or internationally.
-
Work for a national campaign or advocate for national or international issues.
-
Study and/or teach abroad.