Inquiry groups include:

• Civic Literacy Inquiry (CIV)
• Cultural Inquiry (CI)
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Inquiry (DEI)
• Global Learning Inquiry (GL)
• Natural Scientific Inquiry (NSI)
• Social Inquiry (SI)

Inquiry courses are designed to help introduce students to the different perspectives, methodologies, and questions that shape the production of knowledge. As suggested by the title, in these courses students will learn how scholars think in different disciplines, and they will also begin to engage in inquiry themselves, using diverse disciplinary methodologies to ask questions, analyze data, and make their own evidence-based arguments.

Through courses that fulfill Inquiry requirements, students will:

1. Gain exposure to different disciplinary ways of understanding the world.
2. Develop basic competencies in these disciplinary methodologies.
3. Apply disciplinary methodologies to analyze relevant data or examples.

There are three primary categories of Inquiry. They include Social Inquiry, Cultural Inquiry, and Natural Scientific Inquiry. In addition to these categories, there are three additional cross-inquiry categories: Civic Literacy, Global Learning, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Cross-Inquiry courses are specially-designated courses that provide focus on themes that may cut across the primary Inquiry categories, therefore all cross-inquiry courses could be conceivably be found in a primary inquiry category. For example, one could imagine a course focused on Global Learning outcomes from the perspective of the social sciences and/or the arts and humanities. 

Each student must complete a minimum of seven courses of at least 3 credits each from the following Inquiry groups, with at least two courses from the Natural Science Inquiry (NSI), one with a lab section, and one course from the remaining Inquiry groups, all of which are listed below.

NOTE: Schools and colleges may also have specific requirements, such that careful course selection can lead to meeting both General Education and college requirements. Please consult the College/School listing for specific requirements.

Civic Literacy Inquiry (CIV)

Civic literacy is a critical component of preparing students to contribute to local, national, and international communities. Inquiry into civic literacy entails asking questions about the relationship of the individual with the public sphere. This inquiry will provide students with foundational knowledge about the diversity of interests in American society over time, both domestic and abroad, especially those pertaining to race, ethnicity, and gender; the mechanisms by which individuals and groups have pursued their interests; and the role of institutions in addressing conflict. Students completing the course will apply the knowledge, concepts, and critical thinking skills from the course to make well-reasoned, informed, and ethical political decisions. 

CIV has five program learning outcomes.

After successful completion of the CIV requirement, each student will be able to:

1. Describe concepts and contexts relevant to US history, political institutions, and democratic principles.
2. Describe the significance of citizenship status and national identity, past or present.
3. Describe forms, barriers, and facilitators to civic participation or engagement by individuals and groups.
4. Describe the economic, historic, political, and social bases for conflict and cooperation between groups.

^{*Please note, revised CIV Learning Outcomes were approved on 1/12/2024. Previous versions are available in archived editions of the bulletin.}

Cultural Inquiry (CI)

CI has three program learning outcomes.

After successful completion of the CI requirement, each student will be able to:

1. Explain basic concepts in artistic or humanistic analysis..
2. Analyze an artistic practice, cultural form, artifact, or philosophical idea.
3. Compare artistic practices, cultural forms, artifacts or philosophical ideas.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Inquiry (DEI)

DEI has four program learning outcomes, which focus on the U.S as their primary context:

After successful completion of the DEI requirement, each student will be able to:

1. Explain current diversity, equity, or inclusion issues within the context of U.S. history, institutions, practices, or policies.
2. Explain how cultural values and prejudices influence individual or group behavior.
3. Explain the ethical and moral issues related to diversity, equity, or inclusion present in complex domestic (U.S.) situations.
4. Explain strategies that promote diversity, equity, or inclusion at the local or national level.

^{*Please note, revised DEI Learning Outcomes were approved on 3/24/2023. Previous versions are available in archived editions of the bulletin.}