Students will come to appreciate the diverse contribution of these disciplines, with a view toward their integration in a comprehensive understanding of how human beings know and relate to our environment. This appreciation should enable students to think and act effectively for the world . Students will apply these perspectives by collaborating in the interpretation or resolution of the symposium's issue or topic. Developing this perspective contributes to students' capacity to think and act without prejudice . The symposium examines a particular issue with this approach, examining a present issue and studying history as a way to understand how the present came to be what it is.
Investigation is interdisciplinary and multicultural.
Critical thinking is encouraged through comparative evaluation of past and present civilizations. Students learn to appreciate the difference between fact and fiction, to argue effectively by testing the opinions of key historical figures against evidence, and to recognize historical markers and watersheds - persons, acts, ideas and events which made a difference. Competence in Communication Skills in communication and information management will be developed throughout the symposia. Written communication skills will progress through competence in style and organization to effective research and argument. Oral communication skills will progress through competence in oral delivery before a group and effective group participation to informal debate.