School of Arts & Sciences General Studies Requirements

GENERAL STUDIES FOR BACHELOR OF ARTS, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, AND BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION

• Communication
• Composition
• Fine Arts
• Global and Social Awareness
• Government
• Health/Wellness
• History
• Humanities
• Mathematics
• Physical Activities
• Reason and Values
• Science

Philosophy of General Studies

The principal educational goal of Chadron State College is students' intellectual development, which is best achieved through offering high quality educational opportunities. The College endorses a plan of study that promotes depth and proficiency in a single subject area as well as a breadth of knowledge crossing many academic disciplines. The General Studies Program is designed to encourage broader intellectual development by offering a variety of stimulating courses taught by instructors with expertise in their fields. This structured inquiry into the wider world of knowledge provides each student with avenues for self-discovery. The General Studies Program aims to produce constructively critical, intellectually curious graduates who are informed of global and social issues and who recognize the importance of their individual contributions towards creating a better world.

Candidates for a baccalaureate degree must complete the following General Studies program in addition to either a comprehensive major (48-57 hours) or field endorsement, or a subject major (30-36 hours) and minor (18-21 hours). Transfer students who possess an Associate of Arts degree need only complete six (6) upper division hours, three each in the categories of Global and Social Awareness, and Reason and Values. Students with an Associate of Science or an Associate of Occupational Studies degree should consult a CSC academic advisor for additional courses in general studies that may be required.

NOTE: Up to (9) hours of general studies courses can apply toward any comprehensive major or any minor. No courses required in a subject major (30-36 hours) can be used to meet General Studies Program requirements. Some degree programs specify general studies courses; check the program requirements for the major you are seeking.

General Studies Program

Communication - 3 Hours, selected from:

B A 331 Business Communications, 3 hrs.
C A 125 Fundamentals of Oral Comm, 3 hrs.
C A 130 Interpersonal Comm, 3 hrs.
C A 225 Comm in Groups & Teams, 3 hrs.
C A 230 Conflict Resolution and Mediation, 3 hrs.
C A 233 Presentation Speaking, 3 hrs.

Student Learning Outcome for Communication: Students will communicate effectively and responsibility through speaking and listening.

Performance Criteria for Communication:
All students will meet the following performance criteria:

• Demonstrate understanding of the ethical aspects of listening;
• Demonstrate ability to engage in the five-step process of listening, receiving, understanding, remembering, evaluating, and responding.

• Demonstrate understanding of creating and delivering an effective speech;
• Demonstrate knowledge of factors affecting interpersonal interaction including conflict resolution, intercultural issues, nonverbal and verbal communication;
• Demonstrate understanding of how to effectively communicate in groups.

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Composition - 6 Hours, selected from:

ENG 135 Composition I, 3 hrs.
ENG 136 Composition II, 3 hrs.
ENG 137 Technical Writing I, 3 hrs.
ENG 240 Advanced Grammar & Comp, 3 hrs.

Student Learning Outcome for Composition: Students will discover, express, and advocate ideas clearly and effectively in Standard Edited English.

Performance Criteria for Composition:
Students should be able to:

• Conduct research as a series of tasks, including finding, evaluating, analyzing, and synthesizing appropriate sources;
• Compose essays using processes that involve invention, revision, and editing;
• Read, evaluate, and use sources critically and analytically;
• Follow conventions of Standard Edited English in finished compositions.

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Fine Arts - 3 Hours, selected from:

ART 239 Elements of Art, 3 hrs.
MUS 235 Elements of Music, 3 hrs.
ENG 233 Elements of Literature, 3 hrs.
TH 235 Elements of Theatre, 3 hrs.

Student Learning Outcome for Fine Arts: Students will experience the fine arts and develop critical understanding and appreciation of those arts.

Performance Criteria for Fine Arts:
Students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a mastery of the technical language of various arts;
• Demonstrate an understanding of what features of various arts make them successful;
• Use their knowledge of the features and language of the arts to evaluate artistic texts, works, and performances.

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Global and Social Awareness - 6 Hours (3 hours MUST be upper division), selected from:

AGRI 431 International Food Policy, 3 hrs.
ANTH 231 Intro to Cultural Anthropology, 3 hrs.
BIOL 448/448L Ethnob. of the N. Plains & Lab, 4 hrs.
ECON 130 Survey of Economics, 3 hrs.
ECON 332 International Econ & Societies, 3 hrs.
ENG 436 World Literature, 3 hrs.
FCS 335 Families in Society, 3 hrs.
FCS 436 Global Food Systems, 3 hrs.
GEOS 137 Environmental Geology, 3 hrs.
GEOG 300 World Cultures, 3 hrs.
HIST 320 The Asian Cultural Realm, 3 hrs.
HONS 200 Honors Seminar, 3 hrs.
HUM 335 Comparative Religion, 3 hrs.
HUM 432 World Mythology, 3 hrs.
ITE 331 Humankind, Society and Tech., 3 hrs.
MUS 330 African-American Popular Music, 3 hrs.
P S 332 International Politics, 3 hrs.
PHYS 435 World Environmental Issues, 3 hrs.
PSYC 421 Culture and Psychology, 3 hrs.
S S 323 Law and the American Society, 3 hrs.
SOC 230 Society: Global Comparison, 3 hrs.
SOC 335 Ethnic & Minority Group Relat, 3 hrs.
SOC 340 Social Change, 3 hrs.
SPAN 131 First Year Spanish I or appropriate course to enhance competency in Spanish, 3 hrs.

International, multicultural, and other special program which instill global and social awareness may be petitioned to Academic Review to meet the Global and Social Awareness requirements. Written petitions should be submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Student Learning Outcome for Global and Social Awareness: Students will understand and be sensitive to cultural diversity and attain knowledge of an appreciation for various cultures and societies.

Performance Criteria for Global and Social Awareness: Depending on the course selected, students will meet one of the following performance criteria.

Students should be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the values and lifestyles of various cultures;
• Demonstrate understanding of the contributions of various cultures to the human enterprise;
• Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of human behavior in different spatial or temporal or institutional contexts.

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Government - 3 Hours, selected from:

HONS 201 Human Society, 3 hrs.
P S 231 American National Government, 3 hrs.
P S 341 Comparative Politics, 3 hrs.

Student Learning Outcomes for Government: (1) Students will develop an informed, critical, and articulate sense of political ideas central to governance, political institutions, and political processes. (2) Students will develop familiarity with contemporary political leaders, events, and trends. In doing so, students will demonstrate an ability to discuss politics in informative, critical, and persuasive manners through written and verbal communications.

Performance Criteria for Government:
Students should be able to:

• 1a.Describe major concepts central to popular governance, such as security, liberty, equality, rights, and institutions;
• 1b.Identify the causes and consequences of major periods of political development in American and world politics, focusing on varying types of governing systems and philosophies;
• 1c.Describe the development, purpose, and function of the primary institutions of democratic governance.
• 2a.Write logically and persuasively;
• 2b.Use proper grammar and punctuation;
• 2c.Make arguments and draw conclusions on political issues and support these claims in a logical and consistent manner;
• 2d.Critically evaluate written and verbal arguments presented in class, recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of varying ideas.

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Health/Wellness - 3 Hours, selected from:

FCS 337 Nutrition, 3 hrs.
HPER 233 Health/Wellness, 3 hrs.

Student Learning Outcome for Health/Wellness: Produce positive changes in the student through the knowledge of nutrition, personal health habits and physical activities which enhance the personal living environment.

Performance Criteria for Health/Wellness:
Students should be able to:

Health

• Access, analyze, and evaluate health information, products and services in other to become health literate consumers;
• Demonstrate goal-setting and decision-making skills to address issues related to personal, family, and community health;
• Identify and practice health-enhancing behaviors and reduce health risks to live safer, healthier lives.

• Name and describe seven types of nutrients;
• Describe the Food Guide Pyramid and the number of servings for each food group in the pyramid;
• Describe the different types of fats and explain their effects on the human body.

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History - 6 Hours, selected from:

HIST 231 U.S. History to 1877, 3 hrs.
HIST 232 U.S. History Since 1877, 3 hrs.
HIST 233 Western Civilization I, 3 hrs.
HIST 234 Western Civilization II, 3 hrs.
HONS 201 Human Society, 3 hrs.

Student Learning Outcomes for History: (1) Students will develop an informed, critical, and articulate sense of the past, an appreciation for the diversity of the human experience within the Western World, and an awareness of the role of tradition, people, and past events in shaping the present. (2) Students will write effectively and evaluate the written expression of others.

Performance Criteria for History:
Students should be able to:

• 1a.Identify and relate the causes and consequences of the major turning points in either the History of Western Civilization or United States History, including but not limited to the Rise and Fall of Rome, the Scientific Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and Great Depression, World Wars I and II, and the Cold War;
• 1b.Define the major political, economic, and social trends for the course(s) of study;
• 1c.Describe the interactions of various people with one another, including the short- and long-term consequences of those encounters; and
• 1d.Trace the migration patterns of people across the globe and assess the effects of such movement.
• 2a.Write logically and persuasively;
• 2b.Use proper grammar and punctuation;
• 2c.Read critically the writing of others;
• 2d.View writing as a process requiring planning, drafting, and revising; and
• 2e.Use standard English.

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Humanities - 3 Hours, selected from:

HONS 101 Human Nature, 3 hrs.
HUM 231 The Humanistic Tradition, 3 hrs.
PHIL 231 Introduction to Philosophy, 3 hrs.

Student Learning Outcome for Humanities: Students will understand and appreciate the human experience through the distinctive characteristics of the humanistic perspective.

Performance Criteria for Humanities:
Students should be able to:

• Demonstrate familiarity with major works (oral, written, and visual) and key figures in the humanities;
• Recognize and analyze significant traditions or important themes that are reflected in or contained in these works;
• Apply an understanding of these humanistic themes to their own lives.

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Mathematics - 3 Hours

The following matrix is designed to aid the student in enrolling in the appropriate Mathematics course. If a student's ACT Math test score is 1-18, the student must take the ASSET test for proper advising. If the ACT Math test score is 19 or higher, the student should be advised to take a Mathematics course based upon the following matrix and value added placement:

Student Learning Outcome for Mathematics: Students will develop quantitative and logical reasoning abilities needed in all disciplines, the workplace, and for informed citizenship.

Performance Criteria for Mathematics:
Students should be able to:

• Communicate quantitative ideas using mathematical terminology;
• Demonstrate skill manipulating mathematical expressions;
• College, organize, and analyze data;
• Model and solve problems mathematically.

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Physical Activities - 2 Hours, selected from:

HPER 100, 101 102, 103, 104, 110, 111, 112, 117, 118, 119, 202, 203, 205, 206, 210, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219

Student Learning Outcome for Physical Activities: Produce positive changes in the student through the knowledge of physical activities which enhance the personal living environment.

Performance Criteria for Physical Activities:
Students should be able to:
Physical Education

• Participate regular in physical activity;
• Exhibit responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others in physical activity settings;
• Value physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and/or social interaction.

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Reason and Values - 3 Hours, selected from:

B A 431 Professional Ethics, 3 hrs.
HONS 301 Human Knowledge, 3 hrs.
PHIL 333 Logic, 3 hrs.
PHIL 432 Ethics, 3 hrs.
PHIL 433 Biomedical Ethics, 3 hrs.

Student Learning Outcome for Reason and Values: Students will develop skills in critical thinking and argumentation. In BA 431 and Phil 432, students will focus on arguments about ethical issues.

Performance Criteria for Reason and Values:
Students should be able to:

• Identify and understand the structure of various arguments. In BA 431, Phil 432 and Phil 433, students will examine arguments used to defend ethical positions;
• Evaluate arguments, taking different perspectives into account. In BA 43, Phil 432 and Phil 433, students will evaluate arguments for ethical positions, using different ethical theories to help provide different perspectives on the issues at stake;
• Construct clear and well-structured arguments, anticipating and dealing with various challenges to those arguments that might arise. In BA 431, Phil 432 and Phil 433, students will construct arguments defending ethical positions.

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Science - 6 Hours, one course from each area, one course must include a lab

Directions for matrix use:
(1)All students are required to complete 6 hours of science with 3 hours selected from Biological Science and 3 hours selected from Physical Science.At least one laboratory course is required.
(2)If a student has no high school preparation in science or has undergone a long hiatus between high school and college, it is recommended that courses listed under: No Biology, General Science or Physical Science be used.
(3)When a student has multiple science courses at the high school level, the most advanced course should be used for selection of appropriate value added college courses.

Biology

Physical Science

Student Learning Outcome for Science: Students will acquire an understanding of the fundamental principles of the natural sciences and apply scientific methods of inquiry to investigate the natural world and its connections with culture and society.

Performance Criteria for Science:
Students should be able to:

• Gather and critically evaluate data;
• Participate in scientific inquiry;
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of the natural sciences;
• Explore the historical development of scientific ideas and the progressive nature of science.

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