Mar 18, 2024  
Mansfield University 2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Mansfield University 2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

General Education


Philosophy

The objective of the general education component of an undergraduate degree is to provide students with a foundation for lifelong learning and to enable them to function as responsible citizens in a rapidly changing world, consistent with the traditions of a liberal education.

General Education is designed, therefore, to enable students to continue to learn independently of formal classroom instruction. It extends throughout the undergraduate experience and into campus and community life. General Education encourages students to develop their abilities to observe, analyze and resolve problems, essential skills in a pluralistic and global environment. Finally, General Education makes students aware of the concept of ethical and moral responsibility to self and society.

General Education complements major course work and assists students in taking their proper place in society by helping them comprehend humankind; its cultures and history, the philosophies by which it lives, the means  by which it communicates, and the arts and sciences which better its existence.

Program Overview

There are two types of courses in General Education: Core and Group Distribution Requirements.

Core Courses (16 credits)


The Core Courses are designed to contribute to students’ knowledge of the human experience in a variety of ways. Having completed the Core Courses, a student will be able to comprehend the breadth and depth of ideas related to human activity of both mind and body.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will demonstrate:
  • Knowledge of at least one of the varying forms of artistic expression
  • Enhanced oral communication skills
  • Enhanced written communication skills
  • Knowledge of behaviors that promote personal well-being.
Courses:

Group Distribution Requirements


General Education distribution requirements are satisfied through completion of courses in the Liberal Arts and Sciences disciplines. Students must satisfy the minimum requirements in each of the six following groups:

Group 1. Humanities (6 credits)


Students completing courses in the humanities acquire an understanding of the historical and philosophical traditions that shape the world. Courses examine historical and philosophical issues critically and comparatively through reading and discussing fundamental texts from the world’s traditions.

Courses:

Group 2. English and Modern Languages (6 credits)


Foreign Languages
Students completing foreign language courses will have an appropriate level of skill in speaking, reading, writing, and listening to the target language.
Foreign Languages
Any course in the Foreign Languages.
Literature
Students completing literature courses will have a knowledge of literary texts–their genres, literary devices, historical and cultural background, significance for readers today – and the analytical tools needed to work with these texts.
Courses:

Group 3. Mathematics (3 credits)


Students completing MA-prefix courses develop an ability to understand and to utilize numerical data and mathematical methods for analysis and problem solving.

Courses:
All MA Prefix courses except:

Group 4. Natural Sciences (6 credits)


Students completing courses in the natural sciences experience scientific experimentation through laboratory exercises, focus on the nature of scientific reasoning, discovery, and invention through the systematic exploration of basic concepts. Students will complete at least one laboratory course.

Courses:

Group 5. Social Sciences (9 credits)


Students completing courses in the social sciences examine the structure and organizing principles of human societies, including their psychological and cultural dimensions, as well as their economic, social, and political foundations.

Courses:

Group 6. General Education Elective (9 credits)


Any courses, regardless of level (1000-4000), from the same disciplines approved for Distribution Group Requirements (Groups 1 through 5) may be used as a General Education Elective. Any Art History (ARH) or Art (ART), Communications (COM), Music (MU), or Theatre (THT) course may also be used as a general education elective. Introductory courses in certain professional departments are approved as acceptable General Education Electives. If this area is then selected as a major, the course must be replaced with another General Education or Professional course. One Professional Course may be selected from the following approved courses: (A Professional Course is not required to complete this group).

Global Awareness (G)


Global awareness opens doors into varied cultures and furthers an understanding of our  complex world. It considers the perspectives of peoples from cultures and circumstances other than one’s own, and the major challenges facing humankind requiring global cooperation, while also recognizing the phenomena that engender continued conflict and competition in an increasingly interdependent world.

All students will complete 3 designated Global Awareness (G) courses.

Transfer students have the following exceptions:

Students who transfer in 31-60 credits musts complete 2 “I” and 2 “G” courses.
Students who transfer in 61 or more credits must complete 1 “I” and 1 “G” course. At least 1 “I” course must be at the upper level.

Associate Degree candidates must complete one “I” course and one “G” course.
Applied Associate Degree candidates must complete one “I” course.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Student will:

  • Identify major global issues.
  • Examine global issues from multiple perspectives.
  • Examine the concepts of power, gender, race and class intra- and inter-culturally.
  • Compare and contrast their own beliefs and attitudes with those of other national, cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, and religious groups.

Courses: List Subject to Change

All foreign language courses are Global 

Information Literacy (I)


Information Literacy is a fundamental component of the educational process in which a student learns how to think actively and critically about information. Courses designated as Information Literacy (I), require students to become skilled users of information sources in many locations and formats, thereby increasing their responsibility for their own learning.

All students will complete 3 designated Information Literacy (I) and 3 designated Global Awareness (G) courses. At least two “I” courses must be at the upper level.

Transfer students have the following exceptions:

Students who transfer in 31-60 credits musts complete 2 “I” and 2 “G” courses.
Students who transfer in 61 or more credits must complete 1 “I” and 1 “G” course. At least 1 “I” course must be at the upper level.

Associate Degree candidates must complete one “I” course and one “G” course.
Applied Associate Degree candidates must complete one “I” course.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will:

  • Recognize the significance of information in solving everyday problems.
  • Identify a wide variety of information resources (both format and source).
  • Identify needed information to solve a given problem or understand an issue.
  • Recognize distortion, and other misuses of information.
  • Gather, synthesize, analyze, interpret, and evaluate information.
  • Use information effectively to address a given problem or issue.
  • Present information issues and solutions to others.

Courses: List subject to change

Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)


The Writing Across the Curriculum program helps you become a competent writer through assignments in designated writing courses which require different conventions of purpose and audience, different formats and styles, and different kinds of writing for various disciplines. These writing courses are drawn from all areas of the curriculum and involve students in regular, frequent writing. Writing Across the Curriculum requirements are satisfied by completing ENG 111 2WW, ENG 3313W, and three writing designated (W) courses, at least one of which must be an upper-level course.

Transfer students must complete ENG 1112W and ENG 331 3W or transfer equivalent writing courses from another institution. Students who transfer in 1-30 credits must complete the normal three additional “W” courses. Students who transfer in 31-60 credits must complete two additional “W” courses (at least one must be at 3260 level or above). Students who transfer in over 60 credits must complete one additional “W” course at the 3000 level or above.

Two writing across the curriculum courses are required in addition to ENG 111 2W for Associate Degree Programs.

Associate Degree Students and General Education


Core as Follows:


Associate degree-seeking students must complete 11 credits within the:

  • Fine arts course
  • One credit of Wellness
  • First-Year Seminar

Additional Requirements


All associate degree students must complete the required courses in at least three of the five distribution group areas.

Students seeking the AA degree must earn at least 20 credits within the distribution group areas. Students seeking the AS or AAS degree must earn at least 14 credits within the distribution group areas.