9/22/2010Chem 007 General Education At Widener Scott Van Bramer

6/4/2007 Admissions Purpose Statement: Approved by Faculty Council November 2006 Widener University cultivates critical, creative, and independent thinking to develop undergraduates who demonstrate intellectual integrity, civic engagement and potential for leadership. General education promotes awareness and synthesis of different strategies of knowing, questioning, and understanding. Through the integration of experiences both inside and outside the classroom, students learn to act as responsible citizens and to pursue knowledge beyond the boundaries of the university.

AAC&U – Greater Expectations The empowered learner. The intellectual and practical skills that students need are extensive, sophisticated, and expanding with the explosion of new technologies. The informed learner. While intellectual and practical skills are essential, so is a deeper understanding of the world students inherit, as human beings and as contributing citizens. This knowledge extends beyond core concepts to include ways of investigating human society and the natural world. The responsible learner. The integrity of a democratic society depends on citizens' sense of social responsibility and ethical judgment. 6/4/2007 Admissions

6/4/2007 Admissions Writing Requirements Freshman Composition Writing Enriched Courses (4) Multiple writing assignments Revisions 25 page minimum 25 students per class Distribution and Majors Courses Writing Samples

6/4/2007 Admissions Distribution Requirements: 12 Credits in each Humanities: art history, English, history, humanities, modern language, music, philosophy. Science and Mathematics: biology, chemistry computer science, earth and space science, environmental science, mathematics, physics, and selected economics and psychology courses. Social Science: anthropology, criminal justice, government and politics, communications studies, psychology, sociology, and selected economics courses

Humanities Courses in the humanities foster a sense of historical consciousness, aesthetic appreciation, and philosophical judgment. ….students develop depth and breadth in their understanding of the human condition. 6/4/2007 Admissions

A&S Requirements - Humanities History, art history, or music history course (3 credits)* Aesthetics/philosophy—Any course in literature (ENGL 130 or above, or 300-level modern language), art history, dance, creative writing, fine arts, music (excluding performance), philosophy, or studio art (3 credits)* Two additional courses in humanities (6 credits) At least one of these four courses must be at an advanced level (300 level). This requirement may also be met by students taking two semesters of modern language at the elementary or intermediate level in the same language. * The same course cannot be used to satisfy both the aesthetics/philosophy and the history requirements. 6/4/2007 Admissions

Social Science Courses in the social sciences develop an appreciation for both the quantitative and qualitative methods for assessing human behaviors and interactions. 6/4/2007 Admissions

A&S Requirements – Social Science Societal/cultural perspective—Two introductory social science courses in different fields (6 credits) Advanced study—Two additional courses in social science, one of which must be at an advanced level (200 level and above) (6 credits) 6/4/2007 Admissions

Science ….Observation and reflection lead scientists to propose explanations for natural and physical phenomena that have predictive power and are both testable and falsifiable through carefully controlled experimentation. The constant forming, testing, and revising of hypotheses define the process of science and lead to the formation of scientific knowledge.… 6/4/2007 Admissions

A&S Requirements - Science Three to four science courses, including one semester of a science course with an associated laboratory 6/4/2007 Admissions

A&S Requirements – Values Seminar An upper-level interdisciplinary course that involves a discussion of values as affecting individual and societal decision making. Prerequisites: junior or senior status and completion of a minimum of six semester hours in each of the three divisions. 6/4/2007 Admissions