Mar 29, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

The Categories Comprising Foundation of Knowledge


Communication Category


The objectives of these courses are to teach students to effectively gather material relating to a focused topic using a variety of tools, sources, and search strategies; to demonstrate the ability to express ideas using oral communication skills with appropriate attention to topic and audience; to create and write coherent, grammatically-correct pieces for a variety of topics and audiences; to employ the principles of rhetorical communication; to comprehend college-level readings in various settings and disciplines; and to comprehend the ethical perspectives of responsibilities of individuals. The following courses are approved for this category:

Scientific and Quantitative Inquiry Category


The objectives of these courses are to teach students to develop evidence-based arguments; to apply scientific and quantitative reasoning through problem solving or experimentation and effectively communicate results through scientific, analytic, and quantitative methods; to identify major concepts of science behind technological innovations or applications in our daily lives; and to distinguish between scientific and non-scientific methods. The following courses are approved for this category:

Natural Sciences


Seven semester credit hours required for this category. One course must include a laboratory component; the two courses must be from different disciplines.

Self and Society Category


The objectives of these courses are to teach students to effectively gather material relating to a focused topic using a variety of tools, sources, and search strategies; to identify, interpret, and evaluate assumptions, evidence, conclusions, and theories; to understand economic, political, and social legacies of imperialism and colonialism, with reference to the linguistic or cultural diversity, for societies, groups, and individuals; to compare historical perspectives on the development of various cultures; to identify the connections and differences among local, national, and global communities; to demonstrate how literature and the arts reflect and influence cultures; to distinguish between scientific and  non-scientific explanations by employing scientific methods; to understand the influence of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in shaping attitudes and opinions (in themselves and others); and to demonstrate an understanding of the variety of influences on human behavior. The following courses are approved for this category:

Culture and Creativity Category


The objectives of these courses are to teach students to effectively gather material relating to a focused topic using a variety of tools, sources, and search strategies; to explore the implications and consequences of their initial conclusions and use them to generate new ideas, questions, and directions for further inquiry; to compare historical perspectives on the development of various cultures; and to demonstrate how literature and the arts reflect and influence cultures. The following courses are approved for this category:

Six semester credit hours required to satisfy this category


Each course must be from a different discipline. Bachelor’s degree candidates are limited to three credit hours (one course) of foreign language to satisfy this category. Associate degree candidates may not use a foreign language course to satisfy this category.

Global Viewpoints Category


The objectives of these courses are to teach students to understand economic, political, and social legacies of imperialism and colonialism, with reference to linguistic or cultural diversity, for societies, groups, and individuals; to compare historical perspectives on the development of various cultures; to identify connections and differences among local, national, and global communities; to demonstrate how literature and the arts reflect and influence cultures; to comprehend the ethical perspectives and responsibilities of individuals; to understand the influence of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in shaping attitudes and opinions (in themselves and others); and to demonstrate an understanding of the variety of influences on human behavior. The following courses are approved for this category: