To be acceptable as a Gen Ed requirement, a course must equip students to:
Tier I:
A. First Year Experience:
- Describe campus services;
- Critically analyze and perform various learning, reading, and study approaches.
- Practice fiscal and personal responsibility.
- Demonstrate cultural understanding in a collaborative environment
B. Written Communication I and II
Written Communication I
- demonstrate the process of writing; that is, invention, drafting, revision, and editing;
- collaborate with peers in various reading and writing activities;
- use basic qualitative and/or quantitative research in some writing;
- read to evaluate writer’s strategies, choices, and stylistic changes;
- practice effective communication with others in reading, writing, and speaking as shown by discussion, writing, and critical analysis, etc
Written Communication II
- use research skills to locate source materials;
- evaluate source materials in various disciplines;
- use conventional methods of citing source material (e.g., MLA, APA);
- write analytical and argumentative essays that support a thesis with evidence and reasoning drawn from source material;
- read and analyze material critically.
C. Oral Communication
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the basic processes of verbal and non-verbal communications
- Apply effective listening techniques in different communication contexts
- Practice the process of small group communication
- Demonstrate effective speech-making skills in class presentations
- Use various media vehicles in public speaking
- Apply ethical principles in public speech processes (research, writing and delivery).
D. Mathematics
- Be able to solve real-world quantitative problems.
- Demonstrate qualitative understanding of mathematical and statistical concepts.
E. Scientific Reasoning
- demonstrate an understanding of the nature of Science and scientific thinking;
- practice laboratory techniques to develop intellectual skills such as collecting and analyzing data and drawing conclusions from data
Tier II:
A. Arts.
- Demonstrate a theoretical understanding of the creative process in a given art form;
- Demonstrate Practical knowledge of the creative process by producing creative works in visual art, music, theater, film, and writing;
- Demonstrate knowledge of the relationships between differing modes of expression.
B. Humanities.
- Identify characteristics of recognized works of art, music, theater, literature, or film;
- Critically analyze works of art, music, theater, literature, or film.
- Describe the particular traditions and history of ideas in which texts are rooted.
C. International Perspectives.
This requirement can be met through a course in a foreign language or through a course, taught in English, which pursues the following objectives. The study of a foreign language is in essence the study of international perspectives since it involves amongst other things, the study of a foreign phonetic system, vocabulary, grammar, culture, etc. Non-language courses must meet these criteria to be included in the category.
- Identify various ways in which the people of the world are socially interdependent
- Understand cultural diffusion, production, adoption, and consumption as part of the global exchange of ideas
- Identify and articulate the value of groups in the world community
- Identify and understand conflict and power in the international arena
- Describe the connection between a cultural practice or artifact and the society that created it.
D. Histories.
- Identify and describe various periods of U.S. and/or World History; understand chronology and the process of change over time;
- Understand historical experiences in their political, social, economic, and cultural context;
- Understand the significance of different points of view in the writing of history;
- Use library and online resources to construct historical narratives based on both primary and secondary sources;
- Identify contributions made by people of all social groups, nationalities, and backgrounds in U.S. and/or World History.
E. Natural Science
- demonstrate an understanding of the nature of Science and scientific thinking;
- practice laboratory techniques to develop intellectual skills such as collecting and analyzing data and drawing conclusions from data.
F. Social Science.
- demonstrate an understanding of the various (e.g,, biological, psychological, social) causes of human behaviors;
- identify the various ways in which social structures affect individuals;
- demonstrate a knowledge of the various terms and concepts related to the study of social structure and behavior;
- demonstrate a knowledge of the inter-relatedness of social institutions.
G. Wellness
- Describe and prioritize each domain of the wellness wheel (Physical, Emotional, Social, Environmental, Spiritual, Intellectual and Financial)
- Identify signs and symptoms of general medical and sexual-related disease both acute and chronic.
- Demonstrate the ability to perform exercise that if done consistently will result in a healthier life. NOTE: if student is disabled or unable to perform exercise (walk, etc.) they will “Identify” rather than demonstrate.
- Compare and contrast lifestyles based on food/nutritional choices and chronic disease progression.
- Assess, score and analyze current health and fitness status and develop a plan of improvement.
- Evaluate the relationship between substance use (including tobacco, smokeless tobacco, alcohol and recreational drugs) and optimal wellness.
IDS Option
A course is “interdisciplinary” in the sense required for satisfying the general education interdisciplinary requirements if it:
- places its primary emphasis on the interrelationships among two disciplines;
- employs two disciplines with approximately equal emphasis in the investigation of a matter (e.g., ideas, concepts, cultures) which does not itself fall within the province of a single established discipline.
- uses ALL of the established criteria for the two categories in which the course will fulfill