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.
Total General Education Hours: 37
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 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.
