The new General Studies Program, effective for students initially enrolling or transferring in the 2020-21 academic year or after, is designed to provide students with a solid foundation for advanced study with fewer hours (30-31 versus the previous 45-hour program). The Program thus provides greater flexibility for students to add a second major or additional minor to their degree or explore their interests with more unrestricted elective credits. The Program also seeks to ease transfer for students from community colleges.
Transfers with Completed Associates Degree: Students admitted to UNK with an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from a regionally accredited institution will have fulfilled UNK’s General Studies program requirements. Such students must still complete any GS requirements specified within their program of study.
Credit Hours: 30-31 hours in total. Students must complete one 3 credit-hour course that satisfies each learning objective/program essential requirement (LOPER) for LOPERs 1 through 10. LOPER 11 is optional. LOPER 8 (Natural Science) may be satisfied with a 3- or 4-credit hour course.
Program Requirements within General Studies: Departments are permitted to require that their majors complete particular courses for LOPERs 2-11. Students should consult the program requirements in their major to choose appropriate GS courses for their degree.
General Studies Courses from a Single Department: A student may not take more than 3 courses with the same department/discipline prefix in their General Studies program. Lecture/lab combinations from a single department that must be taken as co-requisites count as one course for this rule.
Electives in the General Studies Program: Once the new program has been fully implemented (but not as of the Fall 2020 semester), there will be designated courses with the appropriate content approved to satisfy one of the Broad Knowledge requirements (LOPERs 5-8) plus LOPER 9 or a Broad Knowledge requirement plus LOPER 10.
A student who satisfies LOPER 9 or LOPER 10 with a course that also meets another requirement will have 3 hours of elective GS credits in the 30-hour program. A student who satisfies both LOPERs 9 and 10 with courses that also meet other requirements will have 6 hours of elective credits.
Students may use their elective credits (where applicable) for additional coursework in LOPERs 2-10, or for LOPER 11 (Wellness).
Learning Objectives/Program Essential Requirements (LOPERs): The LOPERs General Studies Program is structured to teach students: Foundational academic skills (LOPERs 1-4), Broad knowledge of the arts & sciences (LOPERs 5-8), and Dispositions that prepare students for responsible, productive lives in a democratic, multicultural society (LOPERs 9-11).
FOUNDATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Skills that every university-educated person needs:
First-year seminar* (minimum 3 hours). Courses must meet all learning outcomes.
Assessed as:
Can locate and select appropriate sources of information (to include information important to academic and professional success)
Can discern a source’s argument or purpose and audience
Can summarize a source’s main points accurately and fairly
Can evaluate and use sources appropriately and responsibly
Can integrate information from multiple sources and contrasting viewpoints
* The first-year seminar is waived for students admitted as transfer students with a minimum of 18 hours of GS coursework; transfer students and re-admit students still must fulfill the requirements of a minimum of 30 hours GS coursework that meets LOPERs 2-10.
Departments cannot require students to take a specific First-year Seminar.
FOUNDATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Skills that every university-educated person needs:
Writing skills (ENG 101 minimum; minimum 3 hours). Courses must meet all learning outcomes.
Assessed as:
Can discern a writer’s argument or purpose
Can evaluate and use sources appropriately and responsibly
Can use context-appropriate conventions in writing
Can communicate in a manner appropriate to audience and context
Courses
ENG 101: Introduction to Academic Writing (3 credit hours)
ENG 102: Academic Writing and Research (3 credit hours)
FOUNDATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Skills that every university-educated person needs:
Oral communication skills (minimum 3 hours). Courses must meet all learning outcomes.
Assessed as:
Can discern a speaker’s argument or purpose
Can evaluate and use sources appropriately and responsibly
Can use context-appropriate conventions in speech and non-verbal expressions
Can form and support a coherent position
Can communicate in a manner appropriate to audience and context
Course
SPCH 100: Fundamentals of Speech Communication (3 credit hours)
FOUNDATIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Skills that every university-educated person needs:
Mathematics, Statistics, and Quantitative Reasoning (minimum 3 hours). Courses must meet all learning outcomes.
Assessed as:
Can describe problems using mathematical, statistical, or programming language
Can solve problems using mathematical, statistical, or programming techniques
Can construct logical arguments using mathematical, statistical, or programming concepts
Can interpret and express numerical data or graphical information using mathematical, statistical, or programming concepts and methods
Courses
MATH 102: College Algebra (3 credit hours)
MATH 103: Plane Trigonometry (3 credit hours)
MATH 106: Mathematics for Liberal Arts (3 credit hours)
MATH 120: Finite Mathematics (3 credit hours)
MATH 123: Applied Calculus I (3 credit hours)
MATH 230: Math for Elementary Teachers I (3 credit hours)
MATH 330: Math for Elementary Teachers II (3 credit hours)
STAT 235: Introduction to Statistics for Social Sciences (3 credit hours)
CYBR 102: Computer Science I: C for Security (3 credit hours)
CYBR 103: Computer Science I: Java for Software Development (4 credit hours)
CYBR 306: Introduction to Predictive Modeling (3 credit hours)
MGT 233: Business Statistic (3 credit hours)
PSY 250: Behavioral Statistics (3 credit hours)
BROAD KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS – Every university-educated person should be able to:
Evaluate and/or create cultural products in a discipline of the visual or performing arts (minimum 3 hours). Courses must meet all learning outcomes.
Assessed as:
Can interpret a work of art within its cultural or historical context
Can characterize and evaluate a work of art using concepts appropriate to its medium
Can distinguish between works of art from various schools, time periods, and/or cultures
Can articulate the significance of the arts for themselves or for society
Courses
ART 100: Art Structure (3 credit hours)
ART 120: Art Appreciation (3 credit hours)
DANC 122: Dance Appreciation (3 credit hours)
MUS 100: Music Appreciation (3 credit hours)
MUS 101: American Musical Theatre (3 credit hours)
MUS 106: Introduction to Jazz and Blues (3 credit hours)
MUS 107: Introduction to Rock and Blues (3 credit hours)
MUS 347: Music History and Literature I (3 credit hours)
MUS 348: Music History and Literature II (3 credit hours)
THEA 120: Introduction to the Theatre (3 credit hours)
THEA 121: Completing the Look: The Art of Costuming (3 credit hours)
BROAD KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS – Every university-educated person should be able to:
Explain and evaluate ideas and/or social and cultural conditions using the concepts and methods in a humanities discipline (minimum 3 hours). Courses must meet all learning outcomes.
Assessed as:
Can analyze primary sources appropriate to the humanities discipline
Can compare and contrast theories, narratives, or social/cultural conditions
Can make and support an argument about the human experience
Can articulate the significance of the humanities for themselves or for society
ENG 235H: American Studies (3 credit hours)
ENG 240H: Literary Classics of the Western World (3 credit hours)
ENG 250: Introduction to Literature: British Literature (3 credit hours)
ENG 251: Introduction to Literature: American Literature (3 credit hours)
ENG 252: Introduction to Literature: Western Civilization (3 credit hours)
ENG 253: Intro to Literature: Non-Western Civilization (3 credit hours)
ENG 254: Introduction to Literature: Special Topics (3 credit hours)
ENG 280H: Special Topics (3 credit hours)
FREN 200: Intermediate French I (3 credit hours)
FREN 201: Intermediate French II (3 credit hours)
GERM 200: Intermediate German I (3 credit hours)
GERM 201: Intermediate German II (3 credit hours)
GERM 205: Culture, Conversation and Composition (3 credit hours)
SPAN 200: Intermediate Spanish I (3 credit hours)
SPAN 201: Intermediate Spanish II (3 credit hours)
SPAN 205: Culture, Conversation and Composition (3 credit hours)
HIST 110: History of Science & Medicine (3 credit hours)
HIST 112: History of Religions in the World (3 credit hours)
HIST 210: Western Civilization (3 credit hours)
HIST 211: Western Civilization (3 credit hours)
HIST 212: Non-Western World History (3 credit hours)
HIST 215: Introduction to Latin America (3 credit hours)
HIST 250: American History (3 credit hours)
HIST 251: American History (3 credit hours)
PHIL 100: Introduction to Philosophy (3 credit hours)
PHIL 120: Introduction to Ethics (3 credit hours)
PHIL 250: Ancient Philosophy (3 credit hours)
PHIL 251: Medieval Philosophy (3 credit hours)
PHIL 253: Modern Philosophy (3 credit hours)
PHIL 254: Contemporary Philosophy (3 credit hours)
BROAD KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS – Every university-educated person should be able to:
Explain and evaluate human behavior and/or social systems using the concepts and methods in a social science discipline (minimum 3 hours). Courses must meet all learning outcomes.
Assessed as:
Can use the discipline’s concepts and methods to explain human behavior and/or social systems
Can investigate problems and analyze evidence using the discipline’s concepts and methods
Can make and support an argument about human behavior or social systems using social-scientific evidence
Can articulate the significance of social scientific knowledge for themselves or for society
Courses
CJUS 101: Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credit hours)
CJUS 375: Comparative Criminal Justice Systems (3 credit hours)
CJUS 380: Minorities and Criminal Justice (3 credit hours)
ECON 270: Principles of Economics, Macroeconomics (3 credit hours)
ECON 271: Principles of Economics, Microeconomics (3 credit hours)
GEOG 104: World Regional Geography (3 credit hours)
GEOG 106: Human Geography (3 credit hours)
GEOG 206: Geography of the United States and Canada (3 credit hours)
PSCI 110: Introduction to American Politics (3 credit hours)
PSCI 168: Introduction to International Relations (3 credit hours)
PSCI 280H: Special Topics (3 credit hours)
PSY 203: General Psychology (3 credit hours)
PSY 230: Human Development (3 credit hours)
SOC 100: Introduction to Sociology (3 credit hours)
SOC 250: Anthropology (3 credit hours)
BROAD KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS – Every university-educated person should be able to:
Solve problems and evaluate conclusions using the concepts and methods in a natural science discipline (minimum 3 hours). Courses must meet all learning outcomes.
Assessed as:
Can use the discipline’s concepts and methods to explain natural or physical phenomena
Can investigate problems and analyze evidence using appropriate scientific methodology
Can make and support an argument based on sound scientific principles
Can articulate the significance of scientific knowledge for themselves or for society
**Natural science requirement may include a lab component (total hours 3 – 4)
Courses
BIOL 103: General Biology (4 credit hours)
BIOL 105: Biology I (4 credit hours)
BIOL 106: Biology II (4 credit hours)
BIOL 211: Human Microbiology (4 credit hours)
BIOL 215: Human Physiology (4 credit hours)
CHEM 101: Chemistry & Current Events (4 credit hours)
CHEM 145: Introductory Chemistry (4 credit hours)
CHEM 150: Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry (4 credit hours)
CHEM 160 /160L: General Chemistry/Laboratory (4 credit hours)
CHEM 161 / 161L: General Chemistry/Laboratory (4 credit hours)
GEOG 101: Physical Geography I: The Atmosphere (4 credit hours)
GEOG 102: Physical Geography II: The Lithosphere (4 credit hours)
GEOG 103: The Dynamic Planet: Hazards in the Environment (3 credit hours)
PHYS 275 / 275L: General Physics I (Calculus)/Laboratory (5 credit hours)
PHYS 276 / 276L: General Physics II (Calculus)/Laboratory (5 credit hours)
DISPOSITIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Every university-educated person should have:
Civic competency and engagement (Civic competency encompasses civic knowledge; analytical skills; and participatory and involvement skills. Civic engagement encompasses motivations, attitudes, and efficacy; democratic norms and values; and participation and activities.) Courses must meet all learning outcomes.
Assessed as:
Can identify issues of public or community concern and problems or challenges posed by lack of civic competency and engagement.
Can gather and evaluate sufficient and reliable information about issues of public concern and have the knowledge and skills to make reasonable judgements and decisions about them
Can evaluate practices and decisions for their civic consequences
Can articulate the importance of community service and civic engagement to address issues of public or community concern
Courses
CJUS 102: Crime, Democracy and Justice (3 credit hours)
GEOG 323: Political Geography (3 credit hours)
HIST 176: Democratic Debates (3 credit hours)
PHIL 105: Philosophical Roots of American Democracy (3 credit hours)
PSCI 140: Democracies Around the World (3 credit hours)
SOC 210: Participating in a Democratic Society (3 credit hours)
DISPOSITIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Every university-educated person should have:
Respect for human diversity (in our own communities and/or globally). Courses must meet all learning outcomes.
Assessed as:
Can describe the nature and consequences of human diversity
Can gather and evaluate information important for relating to diverse populations
Can evaluate practices and decisions for their impacts on inequality or inclusivity
Can articulate the significance of human diversity for themselves or for society
*** Designated courses with the appropriate content may be approved to satisfy one of the Broad Knowledge requirements plus LOPER 9 or Broad Knowledge plus LOPER 10. Courses may be approved to satisfy LOPER 9 or LOPER 10 alone. (Courses satisfying LOPER 9 or LOPER 10 alone must be 3 credit hours.)
Courses
ETHS 101: Introduction to Ethnic Studies (3 credit hours)
INTS 200: Introduction to International Studies (3 credit hours)
DISPOSITIONAL REQUIREMENTS – Every university-educated person should have:
Wellness (2 – 3 hours; optional (GS Elective); may be required by programs). Courses must meet all learning outcomes.
Assessed as:
Can articulate the importance of the eight domains of wellness (emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, environmental, financial, occupational, and social wellness).
Can describe the impact of social factors, and personal decisions and behaviors, on wellness.
Can gather and evaluate information about wellness and apply to personal behavior choices or decisions.
Can integrate information from multiple sources and contrasting viewpoints to make an informed and educated decision regarding wellness.
Courses
FIN 160: Personal Money Management (3 credit hours)
HSCI 140: Introduction to Public Health (3 credit hours)
PE 108: Introduction to Nutrition (3 credit hours)
PE 150: Healthy Wealthy and Wise (3 credit hours)
PSY 231: Abnormal Behavior and Society (3 credit hours)
Discover the UNK difference
Discover the UNK difference
Discover the UNK difference
