RIT's General Education Assignment Library 

The General Education Assignment Library contains samples of assignments created by RIT faculty to assess General Education Student Learning Outcomes. Assignments are collected and shared by the Office of Educational Effectiveness Assessment to support the teaching of General Education courses.  

Thank you to the RIT faculty who gave permission to share their assignments and contribute to the General Education community of practice. As assignment design is an iterative process, many of the assignments posted will be revised and improved by faculty or replaced with newer assignments. Assignment authors are encouraged to submit revised materials.    

Featured Assignments

Click here to view our featured assignments and read vignettes about how RIT faculty members developed relevant and engaging assignments that support student achievement of course objectives, including the General Education Student Learning Outcomes. The faculty share the reasons why they like these particular assignments and some of the lessons learned as they’ve modified and improved the assignments over time.

 

Browse the Library

This library allows RIT faculty to:

  • Browse assignments by outcome, discipline, or method 
  • Review pedagogical and assessment guidelines by outcome
  • View assignments that can be used to assess multiple outcomes
Analyzing Hate Speech Laws

Assignment File: Download Assignment

Outcome: Identify contemporary ethical questions and relevant positions

RIT Educational Goal: Critical Thinking, Ethical Reasoning

Discipline: Humanities

Course: PHIL 202, Foundations of Moral Philosophy

Author(s): Dr. Colin Mathers

Method: Essay

Applied Calculus Sample Problems

The following problems, designed by a team of RIT faculty members, are samples that could be used to assess RIT’s General Education Student Learning Outcomes: Perform college-level mathematical operations or apply statistical techniques and Comprehend and evaluate mathematical or statistical information. The sample problems address fundamental constructs in RIT’s Applied Calculus course and align with the General Education Learning Outcomes. The fundamental constructs covered include limits, differentiation, and integration.

Assignment File: Download Assignment

Outcome: Perform college-level mathematical operations or apply statistical techniques, Comprehend and evaluate mathematical or statistical information

RIT Educational Goal: Integrative Literacies- Mathematical Literacy

Discipline: Formal Sciences

Course: MATH 161 Applied Calculus

Author(s): General Education Math Faculty Team

Method: Assignment Guidelines

Article Critique

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Outcome: Analyze and construct arguments considering their premises, assumptions, contexts, and conclusions, and anticipating counterarguments, Revise and improve written products

RIT Educational Goal: Critical Thinking, Integrative Literacies- Communication Literacy, Aesthetic Literacy

Discipline: Humanities

Course: ARTH 136 History of Western Art and Architecture II

Author(s): Dr. Sarah Thompson

Method: Essay

Business or Engineering Presentation

In groups of four, students will prepare and present an informative presentation about a business or engineering related topic. 

Assignment File: Download Assignment

Outcome: Express oneself effectively in presentations, either in American English or American Sign Language

RIT Educational Goal: Integrative Literacies- Communication Literacy

Discipline: Humanities

Course: COMM 253 Communication

Author(s): Dr. Kari Cameron

Method: Presentation

Challenging Students to Think Critically

Dr. Mark Baskin, a Political Science professor at RIT Kosovo, challenges his students by giving assignments that foster independent thinking and an ability to address complex global problems in a systematic manner. 

Assignment File: Download Assignment

Outcome: Analyze and construct arguments considering their premises, assumptions, contexts, and conclusions, and anticipating counterarguments

RIT Educational Goal: Critical Thinking, Ethical Reasoning, Global Interconnectedness

Discipline: Social Sciences

Course:

Author(s): Dr. Mark Baskin

Method: Assignment Guidelines

Chemistry Calculations

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Outcome: Demonstrate knowledge of basic principles and concepts of one of the natural sciences

RIT Educational Goal: Integrative Literacies- Scientific Literacy

Discipline: Natural Sciences

Course: CHMG 142 General & Analytical Chemistry II

Author(s): Dr. Joe Lanzafame

Method: Exam Question

Chemistry Questions

This assignment includes a sample of questions from a chemistry exam bank.

Assignment File: Download Assignment

Outcome: Demonstrate knowledge of basic principles and concepts of one of the natural sciences

RIT Educational Goal: Integrative Literacies- Scientific Literacy

Discipline: Natural Sciences

Course: CHMG 131 General Chemistry for Engineers

Author(s): Professor William Butler

Method: Exam Questions

Comics Essay

In this essay, students produce their own analysis and interpretation of one or more of the comics that we’ve read in class

Assignment File: Download Assignment

Outcome: Use relevant evidence gathered through accepted scholarly methods and properly acknowledge sources of information, Analyze and construct arguments considering their premises, assumptions, contexts, and conclusions, and anticipating counterarguments

RIT Educational Goal: Critical Thinking, Integrative Literacies- Aesthetic Literacy

Discipline: Humanities

Course: CMDS 242 Comics: Image and Text in Popular Culture

Author(s): Dr. Daniel Worden

Method: Essay

Comparing Architecture, Sculpture, and Portraits

Assignment File: Download Assignment

Outcome: Examine connections among the world’s populations, Interpret and evaluate artistic expression considering the cultural context in which it was created

RIT Educational Goal: Critical Thinking, Global Interconnectedness, Integrative Literacies- Aesthetic Literacy

Discipline: Humanities

Course: ARTH 135/136, Survey of Western Art and Architecture

Author(s): Dr. Sarah Thompson

Method: Exam Questions

Conflicting Values and Ethical Problems

Students think about the conflicting values and worldviews that underlay an ethical problem and examine possibilities for bringing together opposing sides through a focus on shared values. 

Assignment File: Download Assignment

Outcome: Identify contemporary ethical questions and relevant positions

RIT Educational Goal: Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking

Discipline: Social Sciences

Course: STSO 120, Introduction to Environmental Studies

Author(s): Dr. Christine Keiner

Method: Essay

Pages

Contribute to the Library

We are always looking for exceptional General Education assignments! Contact the Office of EEA to: 

  • Submit an assignment used to assess a General Education Student Learning Outcome
  • Request feedback or assistance on an assignment used to assess a General Education Student Learning Outcome
  • Send a revised assignment to update the Assignment Library

 

New assignments are added to the library so regularly so check back soon. If you are looking for more assignment samples, the National Institute of Learning Outcomes Assessment maintains a robust Assignment Library.