Oct 05, 2024  
2023-2024 College Catalog 
    
2023-2024 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

General Education


General Education Rationale and Minimum Requirements

General Education Course Options


General education requirements provide a broad knowledge base to enhance students’ career and life skills.  Vital to the preparation for lifelong learning skills is the development of competencies in:

 

Communication

Effective communicators express thoughts, ideas, and feelings in all modes.

Effective communicators

•     Engage in the process of collecting, shaping, drafting, and revising information

•     Select, organize, and present details to support a main idea

•     Participate in groups using a variety of collaborative techniques

•     Use knowledge of target audience expectations and values to shape a message

•     Use various techniques of expression to convey a point-of-view, style, and voice

•     Employ good mechanics and craftsmanship

 

Quantitative/Numeracy Skills

Numeracy is the ability to think about, express, and evaluate information in quantitative terms.

Numerically literate individuals

•     Interpret, analyze, and solve basic numerical problems

•     Estimate the reasonableness of an answer

•     Interpret, evaluate, and present graphic/tabular data

•     Utilize basic statistical knowledge 

 

Critical Thinking/Creativity & Social/Cultural Awareness

 

Critical Thinking and Creativity

Critical thinking is a process that demonstrates logical inquiry, creativity, problem solving and a willingness to consider different points of view and to explore possibilities.

Critical and creative thinkers

•     Interpret and evaluate statements, theories, problems, and observations from alternate points of view or perspectives

•     Analyze the validity of assumptions, evidence, and data;

•     Assess the value or importance of positions, policies, and formulated solutions

•     Use imagination, intuition and divergent thinking

 

Social and Cultural Awareness

Social and cultural awareness is an understanding of how each person shapes, and is shaped by, culture and society.

Socially and culturally aware individuals

•     Explain the influence of history, geography, the arts, humanities, language, and the environment on individual and cultural development

•     Distinguish subjective opinions and ideology from objective findings and data

•     Recognize social and individual biases

•     Develop personal and social responsibility and participate as an engaged citizen in order to promote a civil society

•     Recognize the importance of individual differences and similarities in a global context.

 

Scientific Inquiry

Scientific Inquiry

Scientific inquiry uses an evidence-based process used to evaluate the validity of an hypothesis or theory.

Scientific Inquirers

•     Formulate hypotheses based on observations

•     Apply the scientific method to evaluate claim;

•     Evaluate societal issues from a scientific perspective

•     Make informed judgments about science-related topics and/or policies

 

Professionalism/Life Skills and Information Literacy

 

Professionalism and Life Skills

Professionalism and life skills are the essential habits and characteristics commonly cited as necessary for success in life and in the workplace.

Professional and skillful individuals

•     Meet personal and professional expectations

•     Show cooperation with and courtesy to others

•     Apply effective time management and planning techniques

•     Follow instructions and ask appropriate questions

•     Demonstrate initiative and persistence

•     Maintain personal appearance and grooming

•     Demonstrate safe and healthy habits

 

Information Literacy

Information literacy is a set of abilities necessary to locate, gather, organize and evaluate information utilizing various technologies.

Information Literate Learners

•     Determine the extent of information needed

•     Critically evaluate information and its sources;

•     Incorporate selected information into a personal knowledge base

•     Use information ethically and legally

•     Manage, present, and store information digitally or otherwise


General Education Minimum Requirements

Associate in Applied Science Degrees:

Communication 4.5 credit hrs.
Quantitative/Numeracy Skills 4.5 credit hrs.
Critical Thinking/Creativity & Social/Cultural Awareness 4.5 credit hrs.
Scientific Inquiry 4.5 credit hrs.
Professionalism/Life Skills and Information Literacy 4.5 credit hrs.
Total 22.5 credit hrs.

Associate in Arts Degrees:

Communication 13.5 credit hrs.
Quantitative/Numeracy Skills 4.5 credit hrs.
Critical Thinking/Creativity & Social/Cultural Awareness 9.0 credit hrs.
Scientific Inquiry 4.5 credit hrs.
Professionalism/Life Skills and Information Literacy 4.5 credit hrs.
Total 36.0 credit hrs.

Associate in Science Degrees:

Communication 13.5 credit hrs.
Quantitative/Numeracy Skills 4.5 credit hrs.
Critical Thinking/Creativity & Social/Cultural Awareness 4.5 credit hrs.
Scientific Inquiry 9.0 credit hrs.
Professionalism/Life Skills and Information Literacy  4.5 credit hrs.
Total 36.0 credit hrs.

Certificates of Achievement:

Communication 4.5 credit hrs.
Quantitative/Numeracy Skills 4.5 credit hrs.
Critical Thinking/Creativity & Social/Cultural Awareness 4.5 credit hrs.
Total 13.5 credit hrs.

 

General Education Course Options

Select a General Education area below for appropriate course options. NOTE: Students who plan to transfer credits should select from the Transfer Course Options  rather than the General Education course options listed here.

Communication

Please select from the following Communication courses.


Communication


 

Quantitative/Numeracy Skills

Please select from the following Quantitative/Numeracy Skills courses.


Quantitative/Numeracy Skills


Note:


MATH courses 1410 and higher can be used as a math course for transfer.

Note:


FINA 1000 Financial Literacy is an option only in certain programs. Check your program of study.

 

Critical Thinking/Creativity & Social/Cultural Awareness

Please select from the following list of Humanities and Social Sciences courses.


Humanities


Humanities


Architectural Drafting


Design, Interactivity, and Media Arts


 


Social Sciences


Exploratory Studies


Human Relations


 

Scientific Inquiry

Please select from the following list of natural Sciences courses.


Natural Sciences


 

Professionalism/Life Skills and Information Literacy

Please select from the following list of Professionalsim/Life Skills and Information Literacy courses. 


Professionalism and Life Skills


Exploratory Studies


Information Systems and Literacy


Human Relations Skills