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General Education

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The General Education Curriculum

The campus-wide general education curriculum is composed of three elements and requires a total of between 33 and 39 credit hours of course work.

    I. Fundamental Literacies Courses (13-19 cr.)
    II. Common Core Courses (12 cr.)
    III. Contemporary Social Values Courses (8 cr.)

THE EXTENDED LEARNING COMPONENT

The Extended Learning component connects course work and extracurricular learning by means of an annual thematic focus and is highlighted by a program of guest speakers and other campus events. The campus theme brings together the efforts of the general education program, the American Democracy Project, the One Book/One Campus initiative, and contributions from the entire range of campus organizations and departments. The campus theme for the 2009-2010 academic year is “The Urban & The Rural.” The program is coordinated by Professors Nancy Botkin and Steven Gerencser. Instructors are encouraged to include in their syllabi assignments that make use of the resources provided within the events program. This year's “One Book” selection is There are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz..

SUMMARY OF GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

All courses certified as meeting the campus-wide general education requirements for the areas listed below will be designated appropriately in the Schedule of Classes , with the exception of the required course in writing, ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition or ENG-W 140 Honors Elementary Composition.

(All courses are 3 cr. hours unless otherwise designated.)

    I. Fundamental Literacies

    One course from each of the following seven areas, as designated in the Schedule of Classes.

    II. Common Core Courses

    One course from each of the following four areas, as designated in the Schedule of Classes , at least one of which must be completed at the 300-level. Note that 300-level Common Core courses may have as prerequisite the completion of one or more of the Fundamental Literacies requirements, and in some cases other prerequisites may also apply. These courses are offered under disciplinary codes.

      A. The Natural World: N 190; N 390
      B. Human Behavior and Social Institutions: B 190; B 399
      C. Literary and Intellectual Traditions: T 190; T 390
      D. Art, Aesthetics, and Creativity: A 190; A 399

    III. Contemporary Social Values

    One course from each of the following three areas, as designated in the Schedule of Classes .