SP 01-07 - Category Descriptions for General Education Courses (Formerly “SR 7-01”) (superseded by SP 02-03)

Approved By: Dennis Muraoka, Richard Rush
Approve Date: October 23, 2001
Policy File:
SP 01-07 Category Descriptions for General Education Courses (Formerly “SR 7-01”) (superseded by SP 02-03)

Policy:

CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS FOR GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES

Category A: English Language, Communication and Critical Thinking (9 units)

Courses in category A approach communication as the human process of symbolic interaction, with a focus on formulation and analysis of those interactions. Students learn how to discover, evaluate and report informatibn, how to reason inductively and deductively, and they develop the ability to distinguish matters of fact from matters of judgment or opinion. Courses emphasize the content and form of both oral and written cci,mmunication in the English language, including exploration of the psychological basis and the social sigµificance ofconununication, and an understanding of how language works in diverse situations. Modes of argument, rhetorical perspectives, and an understanding of the relationship of language to logic are stressed. Through active participation in written and oral communication, students develop the skills necess311l for effective speaking, listening, writing, and reasoning.

A-1 Minimum of three units of English Writing Courses

A-2 Minimum of three units of courses with a basis in Oral Communication

A-3 Minimum of three units of courses which stress Critical Thinking

Category B: Mathematics and Sciences (12 units)

Students study scientific methodologies as investigative tools. They improve their quantitative and rational thinking skills and apply them to the understanding of the complexity and diversity of modem problems in sciences. They learn to appreciate the influence and significance of sciences in the word’s civilization, as well as the creative processes of problem solving.

Students should take a minimum of one course in each of the following subcategories. At least one course in B should include laboratory activity:

B1 - Life Sciences - includes courses in Biology, Chembtry, Biochemistry

B2 - Physical Sciences - includes courses in Physics, Geology, Earth Sciences

B3 - Mathematics - includes courses in Mathematics and applications

Category C: Fine Arts, Literature, Languages and Cultures (12 units)

Courses enable students to develop a basic appreciation of the human imagination and understand the value of personal creativity in a complex global society. Exposure to a diverse range of work in fine arts, literature, languages and cultures cultivate the student’s ability to express intellectual and emotional responses by exercising subjective and objective evaluations. Awareness of diverse cultural contributions, in both historical and contemporary work, stresses the interrelationship between individual esthetics and collective human sensibility. Numerous teaching methodologies involve active participation in the creative experience, leading to personal investigations into the cultural diversity prevalent in the visual, literary, audible, kinetic and oral traditions of human expression.

C-1 Minimum three units of Fine Arts Courses

C-2 Minimum of three units of Literature Courses

C-3 Minimum of three units of Languages and Cultures courses

Select an additional three units from any of the above sub-categories (C1, C2, or C3).

Category D: Social Perspectives (12 units)

Courses in this category focus on the social, political and economic issues of institutions and cultures, with attention to contemporary and/or historical perspectives. Students develop an understanding of the social, political, historical, economic, educational and behavioral aspects of world cultures and systems and the ways in which these dimensions interact.

Students must complete a minimum of three courses-each in a different discipline-from the following list:

Category E: Human Psychological and Physiological Perspectives (3 units)

Courses in this category are designed to assist students in developing a lifelong understanding of themselves as psychological, social, and physiological beings. Such courses may include aspects of human sexuality, behavior, health, nutrition, and an understanding of death and dying. They may stress how humans relate within physical and social environments.