General Education What's it all about? Welcome to class Is everyone in the right place? While we call roll, please write down 5 things you would like to know about the class. Call roll. Ask various students to say what they wrote down. Give out syllabus. Go over it. What's it all about?

I. Introduction to General Education What is general education? What is general education? Why do you think that a college degree requires courses outside your major? Why do you think that a college degree requires courses outside your major?

What is general education? the courses that all students are required to take to graduate Why do you think that a college degree requires courses outside your major? some answers from previous students: to prepare you for other classes you learn to think in different ways to get your brain open to all kinds of learning it helps you see your options to discover new interests to broaden your horizons to get some knowledge in each category to get a foundation for learning to enhance key intellectual and practical skills to get exposure to the knowledge and methods of various disciplines

What is general education? the courses that all students are required to take to graduate Why do you think that a college degree requires courses outside your major? some answers from previous students: to prepare you for other classes you learn to think in different ways to get your brain open to all kinds of learning it helps you see your options to discover new interests to broaden your horizons to get some knowledge in each category to get a foundation for learning to enhance key intellectual and practical skills to get exposure to the knowledge and methods of various disciplines

According to the American Association of Colleges and Universities, general education is: “a philosophy of education that empowers individuals, liberates the mind from ignorance, and cultivates social responsibility.” “[It is] … shared by all students. It provides broad exposure to multiple disciplines and forms the basis for developing important intellectual and civic capacities.”

Three Types of Educational Experiences: Vocational training: provides skills and expertise in one area training to performs specific jobs in that area designed to prepare you for a specific job doesn't easily translate to new situations Examples: technical schools, cosmetology schools, massage therapy schools

Major area of study: provides a thorough understanding of a specific academic discipline in depth practice using the principles and values of that discipline may or may not be tied to a specific career transfers to a variety of new situations Examples: biology, elementary education, psychology, business, computer science

General education provides exposure to multiple disciplines, different ideas and values, various problem solving methods, diverse ways of thinking, numerous perspectives teaches transferable skills – things that apply to many situations (for example, written and oral communication, quantitative reasoning, information literacy, problem solving) different disciplines approach the world in different ways – each course gives you new eyes to look at the world Examples: art, literature, science, history, communication, mathematics

Why do colleges and universities require general education? General Education is the foundation of a college degree. This is what a college or university has declared that all of its graduates will know. A college degree denotes a level of learning about all subjects, not just specific subject area knowledge or vocational training. It is required by State of Utah and accrediting institutions – but it is also something faculty truly believe in.

Why is it important to have educated individuals in a democracy? In a democracy, we need citizens who can think for themselves, have a foundation of knowledge in a variety of subjects, and can help make decisions for the country.

Why is it useful to you to have a general education? It gives increased personal confidence, abilities, and career flexibility. It removes limitations of single area of study, increases your capacity for lifelong learning, and improves your quality of life. It helps you create a framework to interpret the world, events, ideas, and your own life.

II. Subjects in General Education Most college and universities require GE courses in these areas: English: Composition Mathematics Fine Arts: Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts (at DSC, this includes Communication) Humanities: Literature and Philosophy Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics Social Sciences: Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science, Economics, History All public college and universities in Utah also require GE courses in these areas: American Institutions: Civilization, Government Computer and Information Literacy Associate and Bachelor of Arts degrees also require: Foreign language: Sign language, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish

Why English? Learning to write helps you to... organize thoughts and ideas so that they can be communicated clearly integrate other people's ideas with your own learn the process of revising and editing analyze ideas and to detect logical fallacies and emotional appeals in things you read The ability to communicate clearly in writing is needed by almost every job that requires a college degree. Communication skills rated are among the most important by employers.

Why math? Learning math helps you to... make sense of everyday things involving numbers (quantitative reasoning) understand accuracy and precision interpret representations of ideas in different formats Math is required to make responsible decisions in your personal and civic life.

Why fine arts? Learning about fine arts helps you to... understand, analyze, and appreciate artistic works appreciate the diversity of aesthetic expression within a culture and in different cultures articulate and recognize responses to aesthetic works explain the creative impulse and its expression throughout history

Why humanities? Learning about humanities... increases your aesthetic judgement and cultural sensitivity increases your appreciation for human diversity helps you develop an understanding of the past gives you exposure to theories of ethics and values

Why science? Learning about science helps you... understand how knowledge about the world around us is obtained understand and use the scientific method, including the role of prediction, observation, and experimentation learn to observe objectively and choose between possible explanations understand theories, models, and laws that describe the world from very small to very large learn problem-solving techniques understand how the products of science affect our everyday lives A basic understanding of science is very important in judging and voting on public policy as well as being a wise consumer.

Why social science? Learning about social science helps you... understand group and individual identity and behavior understand relationships between individuals and groups understand past and present activities within cultures Social sciences are essential to understanding our own lives, our relationships, our cultures, our history, national foundations and systems, etc.

III. Planning your GE courses When should you take your GE courses? Many students chose to take a lot of GE courses in their first few years. This can be a good idea if you want to transfer to another college or university. However, it can create a heavy course load. It also may not leave room for enough exploration of courses that could lead to a major. There are benefits to spreading GE out over 4-6 semesters. However, it's probably not a good idea to leave a core requirement until your last semester.

How should you choose which GE courses to take? 1. Check your major to see if: a class required by your major also fills a GE requirement example – BIOL 1610 is required for the biology major, and also fills the LS requirement any specific GE courses are recommended for you major example – Education majors are advised to take PHYS 1360 (Principles of Physical Science) to fulfill the GE Physical Science requirement a specific GE course is a pre-requisite to any of the required courses. example – MATH 1050 fulfills the GE Math requirement and is a pre-requisite for a required class in the Elementary Education major: MATH 2010

2. If none of these apply: Take courses that personally interest you! Chose a professor you've heard good things about Take a class with a friend Take a class at a time you have available Take courses that are different from your major to expand your knowledge base NFS 1020 – Scientific Foundations of Nutrition Dance 1010 – Dance Appreciation

Geology 1050 – Geology of the National Parks FCS 2400 – Family Relationships English 2330 – Children's Literature

Psychology 1100 – Human Development Across the Lifespan Music 1010 – Introduction to Music English 2330 – Introduction to Mythology

IV. Conclusion General Education can be an incredibly rewarding part of your college experience. Most people who have attended college remember best the courses they took outside their major – the ones that enriched their lives and gave them new eyes to look at the world.