What are the General Studies requirements in the new program?
Each student will complete 12 credit hours of Foundational Core – writing, math, speech, and a course in the category "Democracy in Perspective." In addition, all students take a Portal course and Capstone course, and 27 credit hours in the disciplines. After students take the minimum requirements in the disciplines, there are 5 hours of elective General Studies credit.
Isn’t the proposed model the same as the existing program?
There are similarities and differences. The proposed model is intentional about helping students progress from lower level to higher level learning. Also, the proposed program has more balanced category requirements – 1 course in fine arts, 2 in humanities, 2 in the sciences, 2 in the social sciences. In addition, the proposed program makes the Capstone a requirement and adds a Portal course.
What is the purpose of the Portal course?
The Portal is taken early the student’s general education and focuses on building critical thinking skills. Students learn that there are contrasting interpretations and methodologies within disciplines, and to engage in sustained thought about issues.
What is the purpose of the Capstone course?
The Capstone concludes the General Studies experience. It requires students to evaluate and synthesize information from more than one academic discipline, and to employ appropriate methodologies in creating an original semester project.
Why does the proposed program require less English composition than the existing program when our students already have a hard time with writing?
The Roundtable discussions, which included members of the English faculty, concluded that requiring one semester of English composition is adequate as long as writing is incorporated into other areas of the General Studies curriculum. The current proposal includes intensive writing in the Portal and/or Capstone courses.
What is the proposed “Math for the Educated Person” course?
The Roundtable recommended that a math course be created that encompasses mathematical concepts that the educated person needs to know, including principles of numbers, statistics, graphs, and critical evaluation of the information they convey. For students in majors (such as business and science) that require advanced mathematics and who need to stay in sequence, college algebra would also fill the math requirement.
Why isn’t economics a requirement under the proposed program?
Economics is in the social sciences category and would be an option for students. Further, Portal and Capstone courses can be created and taught in economics.
Why is the General Studies program 45 credit hours? Why can’t it be fewer?
Forty-five hours represents about a third of the credit hours in the bachelor degree. This ratio is common in general education practices at most institutions.