Core Objectives by FCA
Students develop and practice core objectives in the context of 42 semester credit hours assigned to eight Foundational Component Areas (FCAs). Critical Thinking and Communication (Written, Oral, and Visual) are required for every FCA while other core objectives are assigned to applicable FCAs.
The table below maps out the core objectives to their associated FCA.
| FCA | Communication: Written, Oral, and Visual | Critical Thinking | Empirical & Quantitative Skills | Personal Responsibility | Social Responsibility | Teamwork |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American History | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Communication | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Creative Arts | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Government/Political Science | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Language, Philosophy, & Culture | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Life & Physical Sciences | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Mathematics | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
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Rubrics
The Texas Administrative Code's definitions of the core objectives are written below along with the links to the rubrics that OIEE uses to assess these objectives.
Communication Skills are "to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication." OIEE uses the Written Communication Rubric and Oral Communication Rubric to assess these objectives. Visual Communication is assessed with either the Creation Rubric or Interpretation Rubric. Legal Size
- Written Communication Rubric
- Revised 2025 Oral Communication Rubric
- Revised 2025 Visual Communication - Creation Rubric
- Revised 2025 Visual Communication - Interpretation Rubric
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- Written Communication Rubric
- Revised 2025 Oral Communication Rubric
- Revised 2025 Visual Communication - Creation Rubric
- Revised 2025 Visual Communication - Interpretation Rubric
Critical Thinking Skills are "to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information." OIEE uses the Critical Thinking Skills Rubric to assess this objective.Legal Size
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Empirical & Quantitative Skills are "to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions." Empirical & Quantitative Skills is assessed with either the Analytical Rubric or Computational Rubric.
Personal Responsibility is "to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making." This objective is more than simply following the Aggie Honor Code, attending class, or avoiding plagiarism. OIEE uses the Personal Responsibility Rubric to assess this objective. Legal Size
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Social Responsibility is "to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities." OIEE uses the Social Responsibility Rubric to assess this objective.Legal Size
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Teamwork is "to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal." The Teamwork Survey is centrally administered by OIEE. Instructors will receive information about the administration but will not be responsible for collecting the data themselves. Students will be notified of the survey via HelioCampus (formerly AEFIS), the platform used to administer the survey. Back to top