One of the most significant activities for PSU is focused on the student constituency component of the Campus Assessment of Civic Responsibility and specifically relates to curriculum. It is the Senior Capstone, a required component of the 4-year general education program known as the University Studies Program (UNST). Interdisciplinary teams of students engage in a community or community-related project that integrates the learning in their major with the curricular goals of UNST, including ethical issues and social responsibility. Specifically, the goal states: “”Students will expand their understanding of the impact and value of individuals and their choices on society both intellectually and socially through group projects and collaboration in learning communities.”" This curricular commitment by PSU reflects the belief expressed by W.G. Tierney that “”a curriculum is a powerful act that structures how organizational participants think about and organize knowledge.”"

Senior capstone web site: http://www.ous.pdx.edu/capstone/
Contact: askunst {at} pdx(.)edu