Academic Programs

General Education Core Curriculum

The mission of Young Harris College is to educate, inspire, and empower students through a comprehensive liberal arts experience that integrates mind, body, and spirit. The foundation for that liberal arts experience is the general education core curriculum, which is required in each degree offered by the College. The College has established the following learning objectives for the general education core. These objectives are distinguishing characteristics of the Young Harris College graduate.

Upon successful completion of the degree, students should have developed the following competencies:

1. A body of knowledge requisite to earning a specific academic degree
2. The ability to think logically, critically and creatively
3. The ability to communicate effectively through listening, speaking, reading and writing
4. Basic mathematical skills
5. The ability to utilize information technology
6. An understanding of diverse beliefs and values
7. An appreciation of the aesthetic dimensions of human expression
8. An understanding of global issues, problems and challenges
9. An understanding of Christian values and principles and how these inform the development of Christian faith and character
10. Interpersonal skills for sensitive, cooperative and responsible interaction

To ensure that all graduates attain these competencies, the following courses are required in the general education core:

• English 1101 
• English 1102 
• One Mathematics course (1101 or higher)
• One Communication course (COMM 1000  or  COMM 1100 )
• One Literature course
• One Fine Arts appreciation course in art, music or theatre (except for students completing the Associate of Fine Arts Degree—Art and Theatre Concentrations)
• One Religion or Philosophy course
• Two Science courses (Students completing the Associate of Fine Arts Degree—Music and Musical Theatre Concentrations are required to take one science course.)
• Computer Science 1100  (Students completing the Associate of Fine Arts Degree—Music and Musical Theatre Concentrations are required to take Music 2261 .
• Political Science 1100 
• One History course (HIST 1111  or HIST 1112  or HIST 2111  or HIST 2112 )

In addition to the above courses, a range of programs and initiatives in the College co-curriculum support the achievement of certain of the general education learning objectives and play an important role in the comprehensive liberal arts experience at the College.

Study‐Abroad Opportunities

Young Harris College regularly provides opportunities for students to travel and study abroad under the direct supervision of Young Harris College faculty: optional excursions as an extension of the classroom experience and international study travel seminars (1) to enrich courses in art, music, literature and history; (2) to extend the scientific laboratory experiences into global ecological systems; and (3) to demonstrate language competencies through total immersion experiences with native speakers of French or Spanish. Below is a list of study‐abroad experiences that have been available in recent years:

• New York/Art tour (fall break)
• French or Spanish Immersion Experience (December)
• Humanities/Fine Arts Travel Seminar to China (May)
• Humanities/Fine Arts Travel Seminar to Europe (May)
• London Theatre/Fine Arts tour (spring break)
• New York/Fine Arts tour (spring break)
• Southeast Asia Experience (May)
   

Academic Program Requirements