General Education Core
Description of the Core
The overarching purpose of higher education is to broaden the intellectual horizon of individual students – to expose them to new perspectives and challenge preconceived notions. A second, equally important mission, is to equip students with the critical thinking and communication skills that will permit them to be thoughtful, engaged participants in social, political and moral life. Those willing to expand their understanding of the world, to respond to it both creatively and logically, prepare themselves to act effectively in it and draw fully from it.
At Medaille College, the General Education Core actively promotes these goals. An integrated set of liberal arts courses, it strives to ensure that all baccalaureate degree students, regardless of their program or major, achieve certain basic competencies and are exposed to disciplinary fields that, in the opinion of the College’s faculty, serve as important elements in the development of accomplished and educated men and women.
Goals of the Core
Students will be able to:
- Encourage students' pursuit, practice, and enjoyment of an expanded intellectual life.
- Promote the development of strong skills in the areas of critical reading and thinking, communication, quantitative analysis and information literacy.
- Foster a deep understanding of and hands-on experience with inquiry practices of disciplines that explore the natural, social and cultural realm and their relation to each other.
- Cultivate habits of the mind that foster integrative thinking and ability to transfer skills and knowledge from one setting to another.
- Develop proactive sense of responsibility for individual, civic and social choices.
General Education Courses Required for All Baccalaureate-Degree Students
ENG 110 College Writing II
ENG 200 Analytical Writing
GEN 110 Ideas and Experiences: Introduction to Critical Thought and Expression
GEN 220 Colonial N. America: Case Study in Cultural Interaction
GEN 230 Creative Expression
GEN 240 Scientific Discovery
GEN 240 L Scientific Discovery Lab
GEN 410 Baccalaureate Capstone I
GEN 411 Baccalaureate Capstone II
SPE 130 Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Mathematics* (see note)
*Mathematics Requirement: The College requires that all baccalaureate students achieve a competency in mathematics that includes intermediate algebra and statistics. The algebra requirement may be satisfied through an appropriate score on the math placement test, MAT 114, or equivalent course work. The statistics competency may be satisfied through MAT 201, BIO 301, or equivalent course work. (Degree programs may require specific math courses and/or a specific number of math credits. Check program requirements.)
Course Waivers and Substitutions
Any course approved in place of a course in the General Education Core must be in the discipline of the required course and be at or above its course level. Transfer students for whom GEN 110 is waived must satisfy the requirement set by their degree program; check program requirements.
Computer Literacy
The College encourages all students to achieve the competency in computer skills required for successful completion of college study and entrance into their professional fields. (Degree programs may require specific computer courses; check program requirements.)
Pass/Fail
Courses in the General Education Core may not be taken on a Pass/Fail basis.
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