Delaware County Community College

College Competencies

DCCC’s Unique Advantage:
The Competency-Based Curriculum

DCCC’s competency-based curriculum makes the College different from every other community college in the region and most other post-secondary institutions. The competency-based curriculum certifies DCCC graduates as possessing the skills, attitudes and values needed to perform competently in their area of study.

There are three kinds of competencies. College competencies are broad statements of the learning expected of all students. Curriculum competencies describe the skills and knowledge expected of students of specific programs. Course competencies describe the knowledge and skills a student must demonstrate to earn college credit for a course.

Competencies provide a distinct advantage to students, the educational institutions to which they transfer and future employers. They help transfer colleges determine the exchange of learning that has taken place. They help employers identify the skills a DCCC graduate should possess. They also assist the College in assessing student programs and non-traditional learning.

Course and curriculum competencies are listed with individual curricula and course descriptions elsewhere in this catalog.

College Competencies

The College competencies are the result of a concentrated effort to define and describe the skills and knowledge expected of DCCC graduates. The following broad learning outcomes are expected of all graduates.

Competency 1

Graduates of Delaware County Community College should be proficient in mathematics, reading, writing and speech communication.

A. Mathematical proficiency denotes basic computational skills and analysis required for both life and career tasks. Therefore, graduates should be able to:

1. Perform basic arithmetic calculations.
   • Add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers.
   • Use ratio, proportion, and percent.
   • Estimate the answer to a problem.
2. Use the concept of variable to solve problems involving equations and inequalities.
   • Translate verbal data to algebraic expression, equations, or inequalities.
   • Solve linear equations and inequalities.
   • Use functions to express the relationship between one quantity and another.
   • Evaluate algebraic expressions and formulas.
3. Use concepts of geometry to solve problems involving measurement and shape.
   • Use formulas to solve routine problems involving perimeter, area, volume, and angle measure.
   • Describe the properties of geometric figures.
4. Apply the principles of probability and statistics to interpret or predict events.
   • Construct and interpret charts, tables, and graphs summarizing data.
   • Use sampling techniques.
   • Define the concepts of mean, mode, and median.
   • Use the concept of probability to solve problems involving uncertainty.
5. Use appropriate mathematical reasoning and problem solving strategies to draw logical conclusions from given information.
   • Use inductive and deductive reasoning to reach conclusions.
   • Solve problems using appropriate strategies.
   • Translate a real-life situation into the language of mathematics.

B. Reading is defined as mental activity designed to recognize concepts literally and to interpret symbols; one reads for facts, for meaning, and for understanding and comprehension. Therefore, graduates should be able to:

1. Determine the main idea of a written passage.
2. Identify supporting details related to the main idea.
3. Use a systematic approach to understanding a written passage (such as color coding key passages and note taking or outlining).
4. Interpret a passage and integrate it into previous knowledge.

C. Writing is the expression of ideas using Standard English with conventional word choice, sentence order, and grammar. Therefore graduates should be able to:

1. Analyze materials in a critical manner, incorporating the skills of reporting and interpreting.
2. Evaluate oral and written material in relation to a topic.
3. Narrow a topic to focus on a central idea.
4. Create well-organized and varied sentences and paragraphs, using precise word choice.
5. Write well-organized and logical critical essays on a variety of topics, using an acceptable style, a minimum of errors, and sound supportive data.

D. Speech Communication is the oral expression of ideas using both verbal and non-verbal language. Therefore, graduates should be able to:

1. Speak in a clear and concise manner.
2. Describe and use both verbal and non-verbal communication.
3. List the barriers to communication such as angry tone of voice or prejudicial language.
4. Implement the skills of listening through active participation and feedback.

Competency 2

Graduates of Delaware County Community College should have a concept of self (needs, abilities, interests, values) and be able to explain the relationship of self to others necessary for making value judgments for satisfying and productive lives.

Therefore, graduates should be able to:

1. Respect others’ values, ways of living, ethnicity and gender.
2. Illustrate that learning (in cognitive, affective, skill and value domains) can improve one’s self in relation to others.
3. Set realistic short- and long-range goals (as in employment, social and personal objectives).
4. Have confidence to take risks by recognizing talents and limitations.
5. Distinguish between fact and opinion and defend an opinion with logic (e.g. serve on a jury).

Competency 3

Graduates of Delaware County Community College should apply the meaning of career, defined as a whole life endeavor, to make career choices appropriate to individuals’ own needs, abilities, interests, values and education.

Therefore, graduates should be able to:

1. Plan career paths to include both vocational and avocational interests.
2. Demonstrate that each employment situation is a step toward fulfillment of career paths.
3. Evaluate employment opportunities for appropriateness in regard to career paths.
4. Select learning experiences necessary to progress on career paths.
5. Display flexibility and responsibility in revising career paths in response to changes in society and their personal lives.

Competency 4

Graduates of Delaware County Community College should have the skills to pursue lifelong learning.

Therefore, graduates should be able to:

1. Demonstrate that learning is a lifelong process.
2. Explore beyond discipline/career boundaries to envision a broader awareness of self.
3. Select learning experiences that complement and enrich previously learned information.
4. Welcome the opportunity for change where appropriate.

Competency 5

Graduates of Delaware County Community College should be able to use decision-making processes to solve problems.

Therefore, graduates should be able to:

1. Identify and define problems in terms of objectives, goals and constraining factors.
2. Collect data regarding proposed solutions with respect to problems.
3. Evaluate possible solutions, hypotheses, or testable propositions.
4. Assess the process by which a problem was resolved.

Competency 6

Graduates of Delaware County Community College should be able to analyze the impact of arts and humanities on life and discuss the part which diverse cultural ethnic groups play in the arts and humanities.

Therefore, graduates should be able to:

1. Identify those activities and products which constitute the artistic or humanistic aspects of a culture, including literary, fine, and performing arts.
2. Describe the elements that constitute artistic and humanistic activities that produce works of art.
3. Explain the impact of artistic and humanistic expressions on individuals.
4. Evaluate and analyze their own aesthetic responses to works of art and music.

Competency 7

Graduates of Delaware County Community College should have the skills necessary to analyze social, political, business and economic systems in order to function effectively within them.

Therefore, graduates should be able to:

1. Identify those activities and institutions which constitute the social aspects of a culture (e.g. geographic factors; governmental, business and economic systems; religious, marital and familial institutions; employment and civic, volunteer and recreational organizations).
2. Indicate the impact that ethnicity, social systems and institutions have on the individual.
3. Internalize their own personal place within their culture.
4. Identify the appropriate candidates and positions when using the democratic processes in political and social situations.
5. Integrate the developments of history into current social and economic processes and institutions.

Competency 8

Graduates of Delaware County Community College should be able to analyze the impact and apply the principles of science and technology so that they may make intelligent judgments.

Therefore, graduates should be able to:

1. Identify those activities and products which constitute the scientific and technological aspects of a culture.
2. Acknowledge that scientific concepts, laws or principles underlie technological activities and products.
3. Demonstrate that technology impacts on individuals, cultures, and the physical and ecological environment.
4. Possess scientific literacy in order to make intelligent judgments regarding individual lifestyles.

Competency 9

Graduates of Delaware County Community College should have the skills and experience necessary to make use of contemporary information systems in support of their personal life and career goals.

Therefore, graduates should be able to:

1. Use a Graphic User Interface (GUI) system for entering, manipulating, and retrieving application software.
2. Select and access appropriate software for word processing, spreadsheets, database management, presentations, and graphic functions.
3. Create, edit, print, and save documents using word processing software, spreadsheet software, presentation software, and graphic software.
4. Use the Internet to search for, retrieve, and evaluate information.

Competency 10

Graduates of Delaware County Community College should have a concept of diversity that enables them to appreciate individual and group differences and to recognize that appreciating these differences benefits everyone.

Therefore, graduates should be able to:

1. Consider and understand customs, viewpoints, and opinions generated by persons from backgrounds different than their own.
2. Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of their own attitudes towards race age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, physical and requires collaboration and cooperation.
3. Use the tools of civil discourse to live comfortably in a world of “widely diverse, cultures, ideas, and viewpoints.” *
4. Possess an awareness of the contributions of diverse peoples to the history of the United States and the world, and recognize that these contributions will continue to be worthy of scholarly and public recognition.
5. Realize that differences in humans are the result of cultural practices, * Quote by Sandra Day O’Connor in Grutter vs. Bollinger. 539 U.S. 306 (2003

Competency 11

Graduates of Delaware County Community College should be able to satisfy the competencies in their chosen curricula.

Delaware County Community College Academic Guarantee

Delaware County Community College believes that its instructional programs meet the needs of both graduates and employers by providing appropriate job entry skills and the competency levels required to transfer to baccalaureate institutions.

To assure this level of performance, the College allows our graduates the opportunity to enroll for up to fifteen (15) additional credit hours of course work without tuition charge if their skills or competencies do not meet stated expectations of employers or transfer baccalaureate institutions. This guarantee applies to graduates earning their degree on or after May 2001. Time constraints apply for both when retraining commences and is completed and is limited to course work regularly offered by Delaware County Community College for which the student earned a minimum grade of C.

A copy of the academic guarantee, along with appropriate documents required for retraining, is available from the Student Records Office.