Discussion: Which Goals for Learning?

The following scenario will be used in discussions over the next 2 weeks.

• You are working with two colleagues on a revision of your institution's introductory psychology sequence. The courses in question are two 16-week, 3-credit-hour introductory psychology courses designed for non-psychology majors. First-year students typically take these courses to fulfill a general education requirement, one in the fall term and one in the spring. 
• The psychology department wants to make the courses more relevant to this audience so that students gain a better understanding of the role of social science and psychology in understanding and addressing social issues, such as the impact of advertising and media on behavior; marriage, divorce, and family issues; and prejudice and racial or gender discrimination. It is also important for the courses to address the institution's newly adopted general education learning outcomes, based on the Association of American Colleges and Universities' Essential Learning Outcomes. 
• One colleague, Robert, argues strongly for a completely new approach to the courses. He believes the goal of these courses should be to improve students' ability to think critically about social issues and make decisions based on evidence. He suggests beginning this investigation of issues right from the start, and introducing psychology concepts and terms as needed to understand the issues. 
• Your other colleague, Maria, agrees that these are wonderful goals but that they are too advanced for a first-year course. She argues that students in this introductory course need to get a solid foundation of knowledge and concepts, and perhaps would be ready to research and evaluate issues for their final project of the second semester course.

Post a response to the following:

• Do students need to acquire knowledge before they can achieve higher level learning goals?
• Use what you have learned this week about learning outcomes, and your own goals for student learning, to recommend responses to these colleagues. How would you reconcile their differences?