General Education Course Requirements

Foundations for Lifelong Learning

ENGL 110: 3 s.h.  English Composition - Required course in general education. Introduces strategies of expository and argumentative writing and provides practice in standard written English. Individual instructors use print or nonprint media to achieve this goal. Evaluations based on competency, not on progress. Minimum grade of C- designates competency.

COMM 100/100H: 3 s.h.  Fundamentals of Speech - Required fundamentals course in general education. An introductory study of the principles of public speaking, with particular emphasis upon the selection and organization of information for persuasive purposes. Satisfies competency requirement.

MATH:  Any approved Math course that carries a G2 label.

Advanced Writing (AW): Specific advanced level writing classes including, English 311: Advanced Composition, English 312: Technical Writing, English 313: Journalism, and English 316: Business Writing.  This requirement may also be fulfilled by completing an approved senior thesis.

  • ENGL 311 Advanced Composition (AW) - Practice in expository, descriptive and argumentative writing through reviews, critical reports, essays and analyses. Prereq: ENGL 110 or equivalent, 60 s.h.
  • ENGL 312: 3 s.h.  Technical Writing (AW) - Writing of scientific and technical reports, manuals, technical articles and correspondence. Emphasis on data collection and analysis. Prereq: ENGL 110 or equivalent, 60 s.h.
  • ENGL 313: 3 s.h.  Fundamentals of Journalism (AW) - Journalistic writing with emphasis on news and feature writing for the print media. Includes course work in journalistic law and ethics. Offered in fall, spring. Prereq: ENGL 110 or equivalent, 60 s.h.
  • ENGL 316: 3 s.h.  Business Writing (AW) - Informative and persuasive writing in business and industry. Extensive practice in writing letters, memorandums, proposals and reports. Emphasis on business writing strategies and processes. Prereq: ENGL 110 or equivalent, 60 s.h.
  • ENGL 318:  3 s.h.  Web Writing and Content Management (AW) - Explores concepts, techniques and strategies for authoring, managing and publishing reusable web content. Covers content strategy frame-works and writing techniques used in interactive experience projects. Prerequisite: ENG 110; 60 s.h.
  • ENGL 319:  3 s.h. Science Writing (AW) - Teaches aspiring science writers and/or scientists to effectively write about research for audiences both inside and outside of the sciences. Analyzes communication strategies scientists and science writers use to argue for research findings, advocate for public policy positions and communicate risk. Prerequisite: ENG 110; 60 s.h.

Critical Thinking Across the Liberal Arts

Students will demonstrate foundational knowledge of the important ideas and methods of different ways of knowing as follows: 

Courses in the arts and humanities (G1 Category) challenge students to examine, analyze and critically evaluate artifacts of the human intellect and imagination to illuminate the complexity of the human experience.  Through exposure to multiple voices, insights, objects, and other creative works, students explore and interpret questions of meaning, fact and value.  Ultimately, this engagement expands knowledge, deepens empathy and encourages collaboration between diverse individuals and communities.  View the Undergraduate Catalog (PDF) for G1 courses.

Courses in the sciences and mathematics (G2 Category) develop students' understanding and knowledge of scientific and mathematical reasoning and of strategies for logical problem-solving.  Students are challenged to recognize that scientific explanations offer falsifiable predictions, that claims must be supported by evidence and logical reasoning, and that the nature of scientific discovery and knowledge is fluid.  Courses emphasize that the scientific meaning of fact, theory, and law are not a hierarchy, and give students an appreciation of essential creative aspects of scientific process and discovery.  View the Undergraduate Catalog (PDF) for G2 courses.

Courses in the social sciences (G3 Category )focus on the intricate relationship between human behavior and social institutions.  Through qualitative and/or quantitative methods of inquiry, students discover and ascertain how human beings behave and are expected to behave, within certain contexts.  This interaction allows students to comprehend and articulate the relationship between behavior and context across people, cultures, time, and place.   View the Undergraduate Catalog (PDF) for G3 courses.

Connections and Exploration

First-Year Inquiry Courses (UNIV 103) are designed for and are only taken by new first-year students. The registrar will automatically place students in these courses. Any student who did not take a UNIV 103 course may take any other course to fill its place.

Perspectives (P) courses are those that integrate perspectives from multiple disciplines. A major function of these courses is to apply analytical and critical thinking abilities in resolving major social, cultural, scientific/technological, and/or aesthetic problems. They are interdisciplinary in content and require a high level of educational maturity, knowledge, and thinking. Perspectives courses encourage undergraduate students to make independent and responsible value judgments and decisions.  View the Undergraduate Catalog (PDF) for P courses.

WELL 175: 3 s.h.  Wellness: Concepts of Health and Fitness - This course offers a comprehensive discussion of the dimensions of wellness, including such topics as physical fitness, nutrition, psychological well-being, stress management, AIDS and STD prevention, addictive behaviors and chronic diseases. The course also includes useful and practical advice for adopting a wellness lifestyle that takes into account individual interests, goals and life situations.

Cultural Diversity and Community (D) courses focus on  “cultural diversity” as it refers to the differences among people in terms of beliefs, customs, values, politics, and experiences. In essence, culture is a worldview; it is both learned and evolved. A Cultural Diversity and Community course is more than a mere survey or exposure of the students to different cultures; rather it teaches students to think critically about the basis for intercultural differences.  View the Undergraduate Catalog (PDF) for D courses.

Writing (W) courses are those that develop skills and habits of writing to enable students to communicate confidently and effectively in print and/or new media environments.  These courses may be taken within the major or as an elective, but all students must complete three writing courses.  View the Undergraduate Catalog (PDF) for W courses.