General Education Curriculum
The YHC General Education Curriculum has the following common themes and learning outcomes for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music Education, and Bachelor of Science:
- Communicate Effectively: Students will construct well-supported, logical arguments.
- Investigate Nature: Students will understand elements of the scientific process.
- Analyze Societies: Students will explain various dynamics of social, political, religious, and/or cultural forces
- Explore Mathematics: Students will solve problems by analyzing relationships between quantities.
- Know Oneself: Students will develop their proficiency in self-analysis by examining human wellness, psychology, group interaction, philosophy, or religion.
- Engage Art: Students will identify historical, contextual, or critical analyses of the fine or performing arts.
- Interpret Texts: Students will critically interpret complex texts.
The Bachelor of Arts degree has an additional theme and student learning objective.
- Expand Horizons: Students will comprehend spoken and written French or Spanish.
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. All courses must be completed with a C- or better.
Additional Graduation Requirements
General Education Curriculum Printable Degree Planner
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.
[All courses listed under Investigate Nature are classified as Natural Sciences/Mathematics courses and satisfy SACSCOC General Education requirements that students take at least one course from this category]
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.
[All courses listed under Interpret Texts are classified as Humanities/Fine Arts courses and satisfy SACSCOC General Education requirements that students take at least one course from this category]
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.
[The state of Georgia requires students take a course in US/Georgia History and US/Constitutional history. HIST 1112, HIST 2111, HIST 2112, and POLI 1100 satisfy this requirement and are classified as Social/Behavioral Sciences courses which satisfy SACSCOC General Education requirements that students take at least one course from this category]
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.
Expand Horizons (6 hours) For BA degrees ONLY
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 pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree, a Bachelor of Music Education degree, or a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree are not required to complete studies in a foreign language.
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 Ready to ROAR 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: 43 hours for BA degrees; 37 hours for BFA, BME, and BS degrees
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 Communication 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 “Engage 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
FOUN 1000 - First Year Foundations - introduces students to academic and student life culture at YHC and assists them in developing skills or strategies applicable to any academic discipline. This course will give students the opportunity to cultivate the skills, values, and attitudes necessary to become confident, capable college students, and contributing community members. All students who enter the institution as full-time, first-time degree-seeking undergraduate students must complete this course during their first semester at YHC. In addition, all freshman transfer students who do not already have satisfactory credit for the course must all complete the course during their first semester at YHC. Transfer students with at least 30 credits (does not include early college or dual enrollment credit) may be exempted from this requirement. Students who do not pass FOUN 1000 with a grade of C- or better must repeat the course every semester until the requirement is satisfied.
Definition of Major, Minor, Concentration, and Emphasis
Major
A major is a structured plan of study designed to provide knowledge, skills and/or expertise in a specific field or discipline. consisting of a minimum of 30 semester hours. Upon graduation, a student has earned a degree in a specific major, which appears on the official transcript (e.g., a BS in Math or a BFA in Musical Theatre). Most baccalaureate degree programs at Young Harris College are designed to be completed in a four-year timeline. See degree and major requirements for details and/or exceptions.
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. Not all majors offer concentrations.
Emphasis
An emphasis is an intensified focus on an area of study within a major. An emphasis appears on the official transcript. Not all majors offer emphases.
The following restrictions apply to completing a major: (1) No courses used to fulfill any major requirements may be applied to fulfill requirements of the General Education Core or the minimum number of required elective hours. All hours from these three areas in a given degree program must be discrete (i.e., cannot be applied to more than one area of that degree program); (2) No courses used to fulfill one concentration or emphasis within a given major may also be used to fulfill another concentration or emphasis within that major.
Minor
A minor is an optional (elective) and secondary structured plan of study outside the major offering some specialization in another discipline. Minors consist of approximately 18 semester hours (some minors require fewer or more hours). A minor appears on the official transcript. Minors can be in similar or very different disciplines than the major. Pursuing minors may require additional coursework beyond that required for a degree/major program Students are encouraged to pursue minorswhen their interests and time warrant it. Students should consult with their academic advisor to determine if a minor is right for them, and whether additional time or heavier course loads would be required to complete a minor or minors.
The following restrictions apply to completing minors: (1) A student may not major and minor in the same academic discipline; (2) Some semester hours earned toward a minor may also be applied to General Education Core requirements, major requirements, or other minor’s requirements. However, at least 9 semester hours of each minor must be discrete (not also used to fulfill any requirement of any a major, other minor, or the General Education Core). Where they do not fulfill General Education Core or major requirements, hours earned in service of a minor are applied toward the minimum number of required elective hours in the degree program
Completion Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees
Each baccalaureate degree requires at least 120 semester credit 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 complete at least 25 percent of the credit hours required for the degree through instruction offered by Young Harris College, (3) must complete the final 30 semester credit hours of the degree program through instruction offered by Young Harris College, and (4) 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 maximum time in which to complete a baccalaureate degree is eight years.
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, provided the student is pre-enrolled in the courses required for degree completion at the time of the graduation ceremony. Credits to be applied toward a baccalaureate degree following the graduation ceremony must be earned through instruction offered by Young Harris College.
Multiple Degrees and Multiple Majors
Multiple Degrees
With some major combinations, a student may earn two or more different degrees (e.g., Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science). To earn multiple degrees, the student must declare multiple majors associated with two or more degree programs, and complete all requirements for each degree. In this case, the student receives multiple diplomas. The student’s academic record will list each degree with its major (e.g., Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Science in Management). Multiple degrees may be earned concurrently or consecutively.
Some degree programs offer more flexibility to pursue additional majors (whether resulting in additional degrees or not) than others, and not all multiple major options are compatible in a 4-year undergraduate experience. Pursuing multiple majors will always require additional coursework beyond the original degree program, and may require more than four years to complete, or may require more than average semester credit hours each term to complete in four years. Students should consult with advisors in each discipline to determine if or multiple majors are right for them, and whether additional time or heavier course loads would be required to complete multiple majors.
The following additional restrictions apply to completing multiple degrees: (1) The student shall have one academic advisor assigned from each department delivering the student’s declared major programs; (2) Only one set of general education core curriculum classes is required to complete multiple majors (whether resulting in one or multiple degrees), as long as all requirements for each major and/or degree are met; (3) All majors require a capstone experience. Students pursuing multiple majors are required to enroll either in a single capstone experience that reflects each major program (provided that at least 15 discrete credit hours are successfully completed for each additional major), or enroll in distinct capstone courses for each major. The student should determine the appropriate capstone experience(s) with his or her academic advisors and/or department chairs of each major.
Multiple Majors
A student may earn two or more majors within a single degree program (e.g., Bachelor of Science). To earn two or more majors, the student must complete all requirements for each major. In this case, the student receives one diploma. The student’s academic record will list one degree with multiple majors (e.g., Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and History). Multiple majors may be obtained concurrently or consecutively.
Some major programs offer more flexibility to pursue additional majors than others, and not all multiple major options are compatible in a 4-year undergraduate experience. Pursuing multiple majors will always require additional coursework beyond the original major program, and may require more than four years to complete, or may require more than average semester credit hours each term to complete in four years. Students should consult with advisors in each discipline to determine if multiple majors are right for them, and whether additional time or heavier course loads would be required to complete multiple majors.
The following additional restrictions apply to completing multiple majors: (1) The student shall have one academic advisor assigned from each department delivering the student’s declared major programs; (2) Only one set of general education core curriculum classes is required to complete multiple majors (whether resulting in one or multiple degrees), as long as all requirements for each major and/or degree are met; (3) All majors require a capstone experience. Students pursuing multiple majors are required to enroll either in a single capstone experience that reflects each major program (provided that at least 15 discrete credit hours are successfully completed for each additional major), or enroll in distinct capstone courses for each major. The student should determine the appropriate capstone experience(s) with his or her academic advisors and/or department chairs of each major.
Declaring a Major
Declaring Multiple Majors or Degrees
To declare multiple majors (whether these result in one or multiple degrees) a student must submit a “Multiple Majors Declaration Form” form to the Office of the Registrar. Multiple majors are not official until they are approved by the Office of the Registrar.
Changing a Major or Minor
To change a previously declared major or minor(s), a student must submit a “Major Minor Change” form to the Registrar’s Office. Majors and minors are not official until they are approved by the Office of the Registrar.
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