1. 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?

2. 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?

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.”

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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

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

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

24. 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.