General Education Curriculum
The goal of the Young Harris College core curriculum is to enable each student, through rigorous study in the liberal arts, to do the following. Please see the notes that follow the categories and credit-hour requirements for important information about course options and course credit. Communicate Effectively (9 hours)
Students complete three courses that challenge them to develop written and spoken skills fundamental to responsible communication. “The medium is the message. This is merely to say that the personal and social consequences of any medium—that is, of any extension of ourselves—result from the new scale that is introduced into our affairs by each extension of ourselves, or by any new technology.” Marshall McLuhan Investigate Nature (7 hours)
Students complete two courses that challenge them to develop their skills and knowledge in the natural sciences. At least one course must include a lab component and challenge students to apply their skills and knowledge in laboratory and experimental settings.
“Natural science does not simply describe and explain nature; it is part of the interplay between nature and ourselves.” Werner Heisenberg
Selections can be made from any 1000/2000 level courses in the natural sciences.
Explore Mathematics (3 hours)
Students complete one MATH-prefixed course that challenges them to develop their abilities to solve problems by analyzing properties of functions and investigating relationships among functions. Course is determined by placement. “Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.” Albert Einstein Interpret Texts (6 hours)
Students complete two courses that challenge them to develop their ability to interpret and analyze difficult texts. Courses in this category include substantial reading assignments and require close analysis of challenging primary or secondary texts.
“All meanings, we know, depend on the key of interpretation.” George Eliot
Selections must be made from these courses. Students may not take more than one course in a given discipline to fulfill this area of the core. A discipline is defined as a distinct body of academic study, regardless of departmental designation. (For example, Religious Studies is a separate discipline from Philosophy.) Therefore, students may not take two ENGL courses, two RELI courses, or two PHIL courses in this area. Additionally, if ARTS, PHIL, RELI or THEA courses are taken in this area they cannot be taken in another area of the core. Analyze Societies (6 hours)
Students complete two courses that challenge them to develop their comprehension of historical and social powers and effects. All students must take at least one course that fulfills the Georgia Board of Regents’ mandate that all graduates successfully complete coursework in U. S. and GA history and the U. S. and GA Constitution*.
“Even if one is interested only in one’s own society, which is one’s prerogative, one can understand that society much better by comparing it with others.” Peter L. Berger
Selections must be made from these courses. Students may not take more than one course in a given discipline to fulfill this area of the core. A discipline is defined as a distinct body of academic study, regardless of departmental designation. (For example, Religious Studies is a separate discipline from Philosophy.) Therefore, students may not take two HIST courses, two RELI courses, or two SOCI courses in this area. Additionally, if RELI courses are taken in this area they cannot be taken in another area of the core.
Know Oneself (3 hours)
Students complete one course that develops their proficiency in self-analysis.
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates
Selections must be made from these courses. Students taking a PHIL or RELI course in this area cannot use a PHIL or RELI course in another area of the core.
Engage Art (3 hours)
Students complete one course that challenges them to develop their creativity and understanding of fine or performing arts.
“Interpretation is the revenge of the intellectual upon art.” Susan Sontag
Students taking an ARTS or THEA course in this area cannot take an ARTS or THEA course in another area of the core.
Promote Wellbeing (3 hours)
Students complete one course that promotes their physical and mental wellbeing. “When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied.” Herophilus Expand Horizons (6 hours)
Students complete courses that challenge them to develop their familiarity and fluency in diverse cultures through the study of foreign language.
“No matter how far a person can go, the horizon is still way beyond you.” Zora Neale Hurston
Foreign Language - Students begin study of foreign language in FREN or SPAN 1101 and demonstrate competency by successfully completing FREN/SPAN 1102.
Exceptions to the foreign language requirement are as follows:
Students whose French or Spanish skills are sufficiently developed may elect to take the Foreign Language Placement Test to assess their skill level. Students who place into FREN/SPAN 1102 will satisfy the foreign language requirement by successfully completing this course. Students who place above FREN/SPAN 1102 will confirm competency through an interview with the Foreign Language faculty. Students who do not demonstrate competency through this interview will be placed in the appropriate FREN/SPAN course.
Heritage speakers (students who speak French or Spanish and earned their high school diploma in the U.S.) fulfill the foreign language requirement by taking one three-hour course, either FREN 2600 French for the Heritage Speaker or SPAN 2600 Spanish for the Heritage Speaker.
Native speakers (students who earned their high school diploma in a country whose official language is not English) may exempt the foreign language requirement.
THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE PLACEMENT TEST
The Foreign Language Placement Test is offered during START orientation and at least once in each fall and spring semester. The test requires a small fee, which is published in the YHC Catalog in the section on the Business Office. Students may take the placement test only once. Students who plan to take the Foreign Language Placement Test are encouraged to do so early in their college careers, particularly if they will pursue a language in college that they studied in high school.
Note: Students required to take fewer than six hours of foreign language coursework may elect to take six hours in Foreign Language if they wish. Otherwise, students must take the necessary hours as additional general electives.
Total General Education Hours: 46
Notes:
Course Options- To encourage students to take courses in a variety of disciplines while still allowing choice in selecting the courses used to fulfill core requirements, students may take no more than one course in a given discipline to complete core requirements. A discipline is defined as a distinct body of academic study, regardless of departmental designation. (For example, Religious Studies is a separate discipline from Philosophy.) The one course per discipline includes the following exceptions. (1) Students can take one additional 2000-level course in English beyond the two-course composition sequence (ENGL 1101 and 1102). (2) Students can take one additional Communications Studies course beyond the course used to fulfill the speaking requirement (COMM 1000 or 1100). (3) Students pursuing certain professional degrees with discipline-specific accreditation may be allowed to take more than one course in the area of focus. (4) Students can take two courses in the same foreign language. (5) Students can take two courses in the same discipline in natural sciences. Course Credit- A single course cannot be used to complete requirements for more than one category. For example, a student taking Art History I could apply this course to either the “Interpret Texts” or “Analyze Art” category, but not both. Cross-listed Courses- Courses listed in more than one discipline can be counted in one discipline or the other, but not both. For example, a course listed as SOCI/PSYC could be counted as a SOCI or PSYC course, but not both. First Year Foundations
All students who enter the institution as full-time, first-time degree-seeking undergraduate students must complete First Year Foundations (FOUN 1000) during their first semester at Young Harris College.
Cultural Exploration
Prior to graduation, students complete at least one course that develops awareness of unfamiliar regions, cultures, and peoples or deeper awareness of Appalachia. These courses have a C designation following the course title. Cultural exploration courses may include those used to fulfill other core requirements. (For example, HIST 1111: Survey of World Civilization I (C) could be taken to fulfill the “Analyze Societies” category and the “Cultural Exploration” requirement.)
Rhetorica Program
Young Harris College has developed a narrowly focused program within the academic curriculum to improve students’ written and spoken communication. The program, entitled Rhetorica: The Art of Writing and Speaking at Young Harris College, was initially developed as the College’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), a component of the reaccreditation process required by all institutions of higher education accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The program’s title, taken from the Latin term for rhetoric, not only emphasizes the program’s encompassment of both writing and speaking, but also signals the program’s ties to the classical foundation of the liberal arts.
The Rhetorica Program includes two main components designed to improve students’ written and spoken communication: Writing and Speaking Intensive Courses and The Center for Writing and Speaking.
Writing and Speaking Intensive Courses
Each semester, professors volunteer to teach writing or speaking Intensive versions of their courses. These courses are indicated in the course schedule with the following abbreviations: W, S, or WS. These courses are not more difficult and do not require more work than “regular” courses. They simply include a papers, presentations, or class discussion as part of the course requirements. In addition to learning the course content, students also improve their writing or speaking skills.
The learning outcomes for Writing and Speaking Intensive courses are as follows.
Learning Outcomes for W Courses
Students will demonstrate the ability to explain, analyze, or argue specific concepts, ideas, or texts.
Students will demonstrate the ability to support their explanations, analyses, or arguments with specific evidence and examples.
Students will demonstrate the ability to convey their explanations, analyses, or arguments effectively by crafting written assignments that are well- organized and clearly written.
Students will demonstrate the ability to write with mechanical and grammatical accuracy.
Students will demonstrate the ability to format their written assignments according to the conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.
Learning Outcomes for S Courses that Include Formal Presentations
Students will demonstrate the ability to deliver well-designed explanations, arguments, or analyses.
Students will demonstrate the ability to make accurate and thorough explanations, arguments, or analyses and support them with relevant, sufficient, and effective evidence.
Students will demonstrate the ability to adapt their message and delivery to a particular audience, situation, purpose, and occasion.
Students will demonstrate the ability to articulate their message fluently and clearly.
Students will demonstrate the ability to use effective nonverbal communication.
Students will demonstrate the ability to manage communication apprehension.
Learning Outcomes for S Courses that Include Class Discussion
Students will demonstrate the ability to offer well-reasoned responses to specific concepts, issues, ideas, or texts related to the course material.
Students will demonstrate the ability to articulate their responses clearly.
Students will demonstrate the ability to respond to other students as well as their professor, and to respect the responses of others.
Students will demonstrate the ability to manage communication apprehension.
Each student who earns a degree from Young Harris College is required to complete a certain number of Writing and Speaking Intensive courses. Course requirements vary depending on the student’s academic program.
Course Requirements
W/S requirements apply only to students who enter the College fall semester 2011 or later.
Each student graduating with a baccalaureate degree must successfully complete at least six WS courses; two W, two S, and two of the students’ choice. Two of theW/S designated courses must be at the 3000/4000-level.
Students who successfully complete a course designated W and S (listed as WS on the course schedule) will receive credit for completing both a W course and an S course. As a result, if a student takes 3 W/S designated courses of which 2 of the courses are at the 3000/4000 level, then the student will have met the requirement.
To complete a course successfully, a student must earn a “C-” or better. Otherwise, the student does not earn WS credit for the course.
All courses used to complete WI/SI requirements must be at least three credit hours, with the following exception. Certain 3000/4000-level courses fewer that three credit hours within a student’s major program of study may be designated as WS courses by the director of the Rhetorica Program and used to fulfill upper-level WS course requirements. Such courses will be designated on the course schedule.
Course Exemptions
The following courses are foundational courses in which students develop the skills necessary for effective writing and speaking in other college courses. These introductory-level courses may not be used to satisfy Rhetorica Program course requirements.
ENGL 1101: Composition
ENGL 1102: Composition and Literature
COMM 1000: Introduction to Human Communication
COMM 1100: Introduction to Public Speaking
Course Requirements for Transfer Students
Students who transfer to the College with fewer than 60 credit hours must fulfill the program requirements provided above.
Students who transfer to the College with 30-59 credit hours or more must fulfill the following requirements.
- Each transfer student of this type must successfully complete two W and two S courses in order to earn a baccalaureate degree.
- At least two of these courses must be a 3000/4000-level course.
- Students who successfully complete a course designated W and S (listed as WS on the course schedule) will receive credit for completing both a W course and an S course.
- To complete a course successfully, a student must earn a “C-” or better. Otherwise, the student does not earn WS credit for the course.
- All courses used to complete WS requirements must be at least three credit hours, with the following exception. Certain 3000/4000-level courses fewer that three credit hours within a student’s major program of study may be designated as WS courses by the director of the Rhetorica Program and used to fulfill upper-level WS course requirements. Such courses will be designated on the course schedule.
Students who transfer to the College with 60 credit hours or more must fulfill the following requirements.
- Each transfer student of this type must successfully complete one W and one S course in order to earn a baccalaureate degree.
- At least one of these courses must be a 3000/4000-level course.
- Students who successfully complete a course designated W and S (listed as WS on the course schedule) will receive credit for completing both a W course and an S course.
- To complete a course successfully, a student must earn a “C-” or better. Otherwise, the student does not earn WS credit for the course.
- All courses used to complete WS requirements must be at least three credit hours, with the following exception. Certain 3000/4000-level courses fewer that three credit hours within a student’s major program of study may be designated as WS courses by the director of the Rhetorica Program and used to fulfill upper-level WS course requirements. Such courses will be designated on the course schedule.
The Center for Writing and Speaking
The Center for Writing and Speaking (CWS) is designed to help students improve their performance on papers, on presentations, and in class discussion. Trained student tutors will review paper drafts, evaluate presentations, and explain discussion strategies to help students improve their performance on these assignments. Students who visit the CWS should bring a copy of the assignment and a draft of the paper or project they are working on.
The CWS is located adjacent to the Pruitt-Barrett Administration Building. For hours and other information, please see the CWS website.
Definition of Major, Minor, Concentration, and Emphasis
Major
A major is a structured plan of study consisting of a minimum of 30 semester hours. A completed major appears on the official transcript.
Minor
A minor is an optional and secondary structured plan of study of approximately 18 semester hours which is outside the major. A minor appears on the official transcript.
Concentration
A concentration is a structured secondary plan of study, consisting of a minimum of nine semester hours, which is within a major. A concentration appears on the official transcript.
Emphasis
An emphasis is an intensified focus on an area of study within a major. An emphasis appears on the official transcript.
Completion Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees
Each baccalaureate degree requires 120 semester hours. A baccalaureate degree program requires at least 30 hours of courses in the major.
To earn a baccalaureate degree, a student: (1) must complete a prescribed degree program with at least a 2.0 grade point average in courses presented for graduation, (2) must not be on academic probation at the time of graduation, (3) must have no more than 18 semester hours of “D” grade credit, (4) must complete the final 30 semester hours of the degree program at the college, and (5) must file a formal application for graduation and pay the completion fee with the Registrar’s Office no later than the first class day of the semester in which the student intends to graduate. The minimum time in which to complete a baccalaureate degree is three years; the maximum time is eight years.
In addition to the above academic requirements, a student must be in good standing pursuant to College policies at the time of degree completion.
Students completing a baccalaureate degree are strongly encouraged to participate in graduation exercises.
Any student who is within six credits of baccalaureate degree completion may participate in the graduation ceremony. Credits to be applied toward a baccalaureate degree following the graduation ceremony must be earned at Young Harris College.
Double Degrees
A student may earn two different degrees (e.g, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science). To earn double degrees, the student must complete all requirements for each degree. The student receives two diplomas. The student’s academic record will list each degree with its major (e.g., Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Science in Biology). The double degrees may be earned concurrently or consecutively.
Double Majors
A student may earn two majors within a single degree program. To earn two majors, the students must complete all requirements for each major. The student receives one diploma. The student’s academic record will list one degree with two majors (e.g., Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and History). Double majors may be obtained concurrently or consecutively.
Change a Major
In order to change a major, a student must complete a “Major/Minor Change” form and submit it to the Registrar. The form may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office, the Advising Center, or on YHC Connect. The major will not be formally changed until the form is processed by the Registrar’s Office.
|
