FORWARD? THE WISCONSIN IDEA, PAST AND PRESENT
Engage in ongoing reflection and dialogue on the Wisconsin Idea and how it informs the mission of the University of Wisconsin. Consider the Wisconsin Idea as it has developed since its beginnings, with a focus on what it means today and what it can mean in the future.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: Junior or senior standing only Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Breadth - Social Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: Yes, unlimited number of completions Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Listen respectfully to different opinions, respond rationally rather than emotionally, make reasoned arguments. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Respond to another point of view with research and substantive comments or questions, present and support your own position, and thus engage in a wider conversation. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Consider a specific question (“What makes an idea a Wisconsin Idea...?) and present a reasoned argument supporting the conclusion. (1-credit students) Audience: Undergraduate 4. Deeply analyze an argument and respond by applying it to the student’s own educational strengths and weaknesses. (3-credit students) Audience: Undergraduate 5. Use course content to explain a controversial issue and suggest a course of action to address it, stating reasons, and anticipating counterarguments. (3-credit students) Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Listen respectfully to different opinions, respond rationally rather than emotionally, make reasoned arguments. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Respond to another point of view with research and substantive comments or questions, present and support your own position, and thus engage in a wider conversation. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Consider a specific question (“What makes an idea a Wisconsin Idea...?) and present a reasoned argument supporting the conclusion. (1-credit students) Audience: Undergraduate 4. Deeply analyze an argument and respond by applying it to the student’s own educational strengths and weaknesses. (3-credit students) Audience: Undergraduate 5. Use course content to explain a controversial issue and suggest a course of action to address it, stating reasons, and anticipating counterarguments. (3-credit students) Audience: Undergraduate
Catalogue variants
- FORWARD? THE WISCONSIN IDEA, PAST AND PRESENT · 1-3 credits.