General Education Program (GenEd)

GenEd Mission

The mission of the General Education program is to foster competencies and perspectives that enrich and enhance our life experiences. Liberal arts education at the University of Northern Colorado extends beyond the teaching and learning of vocational skills and the acquisition of specialized knowledge. The program provides skills and abilities which strengthen an individual's capacity to both make a living and to have a satisfying life. It promotes an understanding of the circumstances and events which may not have shaped our personal development but that may exert a strong influence on the ability of others to read, hear, or understand our viewpoints.

The skills component of General Education fosters growth in critical thinking, computational ability, self-expression in written, oral and graphic forms and physical competence. All of these skills improve your ability to understand or develop new ideas and to present them to others.

The content component of General Education deals with the complexity and integrated nature of knowledge. It focuses on the paradigms and patterns of inquiry of many disciplines and the fundamentally multidisciplinary character of true understanding. The many different approaches to subject matter and problem-solving practiced in the humanities, the social sciences, the natural sciences and mathematics all contribute to an appreciation of diversity and the value of inquiry. The interdisciplinary, multicultural and international courses provide a grounding in the wealth of human experience and the necessity of taking this diversity into account throughout our lives.

Collectively, the skills and content components of the General Education program provide the framework for lifelong learning and personal growth. They provide an understanding of and perspective on our history, current events and future challenges. This foundation increases the ability of students to apply the knowledge acquired in major, minor and other parts of their education program more effectively.

The courses included in the General Education program represent a variety of disciplines, but are designed to help all students reach some common goals. Each of the seven categories in General Education has its own set of criteria, which all courses offered in that category must meet. Each category of courses also has its own set of student performance expectations. As students complete general education courses their achievement of the expectations will be assessed. In turn, students are provided with the opportunity to comment on the effectiveness of the courses in helping to meet the performance expectations.

The requirements in the Skills Areas are intended to help you to develop:

Correct and effective use of the English language in generating writing in a variety of formats.
The ability to gather and interpret information from a variety of sources, including computerized retrieval systems.
Numerical, statistical and algebraic skills required for the understanding and investigation of real world problems.
The ability and confidence to interpret numerical and graphical data.
Appropriate use of technology in support of mathematical studies.
Successful strategies for group participation in physical activity.
Skills and techniques necessary for participation in physical activity.
Knowledge that will help you to enhance and maintain your personal fitness and health.

The requirements in the Content Areas are intended to help you to:

Understand the historical frameworks of and interactions between diverse disciplines.
Understand and apply research techniques from different disciplines. You will collect, organize and interpret data using current technology.
Assess the validity of diverse sources of information.
Understand Western and non-Western cultures and values.
Understand the perspectives, contributions and concerns of different ethnic, gender and age groups.
Be able to identify important issues involved in human welfare and survival.

Requirements

The General Education Program at UNC is divided into two areas: Skills Area - Category 1. - Category 3. and Content Area - Category 4. - Category 7.

An overall minimum of 40 semester credit hours selected from the Skills and Content Areas (Categories 1 - 7)
At least 30 semester hours must be taken in the Content area.
Only 6 semester hours of general education courses may be courses carrying the students' major prefix (i.e. Music majors can only use 6 hours of courses with the course prefix of MUS).

Offerings

The typical frequency of offering of each General Education course is indicated following the credit hours for the course. Frequencies are indicated using the following codes:

SEM - course is offered every Fall and Spring Semester

1YR - course is offered every Academic Year

2YR - course is offered every two (2) Academic Years

IRR - course is offered irregularly

Please note: The frequency listed is typical and may be affected by departmental ability to staff the course when it is typically scheduled.

Skills Area Requirements

Category 1. Composition - 6 credits

Choose 2 courses; one must be ENG 122 College Composition (3), and the second course selected from b. Intermediate Composition courses.

a. Elementary Composition

ENG 122 College Composition (3) SEM

b. Intermediate Composition

ANT 315 Life History and Culture (3) 1YR

BA 205 Business Communications (3) SEM

AFS 305 Survey of African American Literature (3) 1YR

ENG 123 College Research Paper (3) SEM

ENG 225 Communications on a Theme (3) 1YR

ENG 227 Technical Writing (3) 2YR

MUS 152 Writing and Scholarship in the Performing and Visual Arts (3) 1YR

PHIL 101 Critical Thinking and Writing (3) IRR

SCI 291 Scientific Writing (3) SEM

Category 2. Mathematics - 3 credits

One course, chosen from among these listed courses, except that MATH 181 and MATH 182 must both be taken together to satisfy the requirement:

MATH 120 Mathematics and Liberal Arts (3)

MATH 124 College Algebra (4) SEM

MATH 125 Plane Trigonometry (3) SEM

MATH 127 Elementary Functions (4) SEM

MATH 131 Calculus I (4) SEM

MATH 181 Fundamentals of Mathematics I (3)*

MATH 182 Fundamental Mathematics II (3)

STAT 150 Introduction to Statistical Analysis (3) SEM

STAT 250 Statistics for Health Sciences (3) SEM

*Students selecting the Mathematics Concentration take MATH 131 instead of MATH 181.

Category 3. Physical Activity - 1 credit (minimum)

Choose 1 course from the courses listed below:
Lifetime and Leisure Skills

Team Sports:

SES 100 Basketball (1) SEM

SES 101 Flag Football (1) 1YR

SES 104 Volleyball (1) SEM

Lifetime Sports:

SES 110 Badminton (1) 1YR

SES 111 Bowling (1) SEM

SES 113 Fly Fishing/Trap Shooting (1) SEM

SES 114 Golf (1) SEM

SES 116 Water Safety Instructor (2) 1YR

SES 118 Swimming (1) SEM

SES 119 Tennis (1) SEM

Adventure/Risk Activities:

SES 125 Hiking (1) SEM

SES 127 Cross-Country Skiing (1) 1YR

SES 128 Cycling (1) SEM

SES 129 Downhill Skiing (1) SEM

SES 130 Kayaking (1) 1YR

SES 131 Orienteering (1) SEM

SES 132 Challenge Ropes Course (1) SEM

SES 133 Scuba Diving (1) SEM

SES 134 Self Defense (1) SEM

SES 135 Rock Climbing (1) SEM

Exercise and Fitness:

SES 145 Activity for Stress Management (1) SEM

SES 146 Aerobics (1) SEM

SES 147 Aquacize (1) SEM

SES 148 Exercise and Weight Control (1) SEM

SES 149 Fitness and Conditioning (1) SEM

SES 150 Jogging and Walking (1) SEM

SES 152 Swimming Conditioning (1) SEM

SES 153 Weight Training (1) SEM

Dance and Movement Activities:

DNCE 167 Ballroom Dance I (2) 1YR

DNCE 175 Tap Dance I (2) 1YR

SES 174 Social Dance (1) SEM

Content Area Requirements

At least 30 semester hours of General Education courses must be taken in the Content Area (Category 4. - Category 7.). Note: Students will need to take hours beyond the minimum requirements in the Content Area to meet the 30 semester hour requirement.

Category 4. Arts and Letters - 6 credits (minimum)

Choose 2 courses from 2 different alphabetical subgroups (a.-e) with different prefixes from the following:

a. Fine Arts

ART 181 History of Art I (4) 1YR

ART 182 History of Art II (4) 1YR

ART 190 Art Appreciation (3) SEM

ART 290 Visual Thinking and Visual Images (3) 1YR

DNCE 454 Dance History and Philosophy (2) 2YR

ENST 385 Art and the Environment (3) 1YR

HUM 120 Introduction to Film (3) SEM

MIND 181 Great Traditions of Asia: India, China and Japan (3) 1YR - (may be used to meet the requirement in Fine Arts or History or Literature)

MIND 288 Contemporary Arts Connections (3) 2YR

MIND 297 Creativity in the Arts (3) IRR

MT 330 History of Musical Theatre (3) 1YR

MUS 140 Introduction to Music (3) SEM

MUS 204 Music Fundamentals and Experiences (3) SEM

MUS 241 Perceiving the Arts (3) 1YR

MUS 243 History of Music I (3) 1YR

MUS 244 History of Music II (3) 1YR

MUS 340 Survey of History and Literature of Jazz (3) SEM

THEA 130 Introduction to the Theatre (3) SEM

THEA 159 Acting Theories and Practice (3) SEM

THEA 225 Theatre in Film (3) 1YR

THEA 330 History of Theatre I (3) 1YR

THEA 331 History of Theatre II (3) 1YR

b. Foreign Language

FR 101 Elementary French I (4) 1YR

FR 102 Elementary French II (4) 1YR

FR 201 Intermediate French I (3) 1YR

FR 202 Intermediate French II (3) 1YR

GER 101 Elementary German I (4) 1YR

GER 102 Elementary German II (4) 1YR

GER 201 Intermediate German I (3) 1YR

GER 202 Intermediate German II (3) 1YR

JAPN 101 Beginning Japanese (5) IRR

JAPN 102 Elementary Japanese II (5) IRR

JAPN 201 Intermediate Japanese I (3) IRR

JAPN 202 Intermediate Japanese II (3) IRR

SPAN 101 Elementary Spanish I (5) SEM

SPAN 102 Elementary Spanish II (5) SEM

SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish I (3) SEM

SPAN 202 Intermediate Spanish II (3) SEM

c. History

AFS 201 African American History I (3) 1YR

AFS 202 African American History II (3) 1YR

HIST 100 Survey of American History from Its Beginnings to 1877 (3) SEM

HIST 101 Survey of American History from 1877 to the Present (3) SEM

HIST 120 Western Civilization from Ancient Greece to 1689 (3) SEM

HIST 121 Western Civilization from 1689 to the Present (3) SEM

HIST 267 Age of Revolution Since the 17th Century (3) IRR

MIND 180 Great Ideas of the Western Tradition (3) SEM

(may be used to meet the requirement in History or Literature or Philosophy)

MIND 181 Great Traditions of Asia: India, China and Japan (3) 1YR - (may be used to meet the requirement in History or Fine Arts or Literature)

MIND 290 Search for Meaning (3) IRR

(may be used to meet the requirement in History or Philosophy)

d. Literature

ENG 131 Introduction to Literature (3) SEM

ENG 211 Survey of American Literature (3) SEM

ENG 213 Survey of British Literature I (3) SEM

ENG 214 British Literature II (3) SEM

ENG 262 Masterpieces of World Literature (3) SEM

HISP 111 Introduction to Hispanic Literature (3) IRR

MIND 180 Great Ideas of the Western Tradition (3) SEM

(may be used to meet the requirement in Literature or History or Philosophy)

MIND 181 Great Traditions of Asia: India, China and Japan (3) 1YR

(may be used to meet the requirement in Literature or Fine Arts or History)

MIND 293 Play as a Route to Insight and Creation (3) 2YR

(may be used to meet the requirement in Literature or Philosophy)

e. Philosophy

MIND 180 Great Ideas of the Western Tradition (3) SEM

(may be used to meet the requirement in History, Literature or Philosophy)

MIND 290 Search for Meaning (3) IRR

(may be used to meet the requirement in History or Philosophy)

MIND 293 Play as a Route to Insight and Creation (3) 2YR

(may be used to meet the requirement in Literature or Philosophy)

PHIL 100 Introduction to Philosophy (3) SEM

PHIL 110 Figures in Western Philosophy (3) SEM

PHIL 305 Ethics in Theory and Practice (3) IRR

Category 5. Social Sciences - 6 credits (minimum)

Choose 2 courses from 2 different alphabetical subgroups (a.-f.) with different prefixes from the following:

a. Anthropology

ANT 100 Introduction to Anthropology (3) SEM

ANT 120 World Archaeology (3) 1YR

b. Economics

ECON 101 Understanding the Contemporary Economy (3) 1YR

ECON 203 Principles of Macroeconomics (3) SEM

ECON 205 Principles of Microeconomics (3) SEM

MIND 286 Value Issues in Political Economy (3) 1YR

(may be used to meet the requirement in Economics or Political Science)

c. Geography

GEOG 100 World Geography (3) SEM

GEOG 110 Geography of the United States and Canada (3) SEM

GEOG 200 Human Geography (3) SEM

d. Political Science

AFS 420 Black Politics (3) IRR

MIND 286 Value Issues in Political Economy (3) 1YR

(may be used to meet the requirement in Economics or Political Science)

PSCI 100 United States National Government (3) SEM

PSCI 105 Fundamentals of Politics (3) SEM

PSCI 203 Colorado Politics (3) 2YR

PSCI 220 Introduction to International Relations (3) SEM

e. Psychology

CH 336 Human Sexuality (3) SEM

PSY 120 Principles of Psychology (3) SEM

PSY 230 Human Growth and Development (3) SEM

PSY 265 Social Psychology (3) SEM

f. Sociology

CRJ 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3) SEM

CH 205 Issues in Health (3) SEM

NURS 318 Health Care Systems (3) 1YR

SOC 100 Principles of Sociology (3) SEM

SOC 120 Introduction to Family Studies (3) SEM

Category 6. Science and Mathematics - 7 credits (minimum)

Choose 2 courses from two different alphabetical subgroups (a.-d.) with two different prefixes from the following courses. At least one of the courses must have an L (laboratory) designation:

a. Earth Sciences

AST 100 General Astronomy (4) (L) SEM

ESCI 265 Earth Science Concepts for Elementary Teachers (3) (L) SEM

GEOL 100 General Geology (4) (L) SEM

GEOL 110 Our Geological Environment (3) 1YR

MET 110 Our Violent Atmosphere (3) SEM

MET 205 General Meteorology (4) (L) SEM

MIND 294 Revolutions in Science (3) SEM - (may be used to meet the requirements in Earth Sciences, Life Sciences or Physical Sciences)

OCN 110 Our Ocean Systems (3) 1YR

OCN 200 General Oceanography (4) (L) 1YR

b. Life Sciences

ANT 130 Introduction to Physical Anthropology (3) 1YR

BIO 100 Exploring Biology (3) SEM

BIO 101 Biological Perspectives (4) (L) SEM

BIO 110 Principles of Biology (4) (L) SEM

BIO 265 Life Science Concepts (3) (L) SEM

FND 250 Principles of Nutrition (3) SEM

MIND 294 Revolutions in Science (3) SEM - (may be used to meet the requirements in Earth Sciences, Life Sciences or Physical Sciences)

c. Mathematical Sciences

MATH 132 Calculus II (4) SEM

CS 101 Introduction to Computer Science (3) 1YR

d. Physical Science

CHEM 101 Chemistry for Citizens (4) SEM

CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry I (5) (L) SEM

CHEM 281 Fundamentals of Biochemistry (5) (L) SEM

ENST 235 Chemistry and the Environment (3) IRR

MIND 294 Revolutions in Science (3) SEM - (may be used to meet the requirements in Earth Sciences, Life Sciences or Physical Sciences)

PHYS 220 Introductory Physics I (5) (L) 1YR

PHYS 240 General Physics I (5) (L) 1YR

SCI 106 Introduction to Spaceflight (3) SEM

SCI 109 The Cosmos (3) SEM

SCI 265 Physical Science Concepts (4) (L) SEM

Category 7. Interdisciplinary and International Studies, and Multicultural Studies - 6 credits (minimum)

Choose 2 courses from two different alphabetical subgroups (a.-b):

1 course from either Interdisciplinary and International Studies and
1 course from Multicultural Studies

a. Interdisciplinary and International Studies

Interdisciplinary Courses:

ENST 100 Introduction to Environmental Studies (3) SEM

ENST 225 Energy and the Environment (3) SEM

GERO 205 Introduction to Gerontology (3) SEM

HUM 130 Introduction to Cultural Studies (3)

HUM 331 Images of Women in Literature and the Arts (3) 1YR

MIND 295 Global Systems (3) IRR

NURS 200 Women's Health Care (3) SEM

SOC 221 Sociology of Gender (3) SEM

International Courses:

ANT 110 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3) SEM

ANT 314 Anthropology of Sex and Gender Diversity (3) 1YR

BA 251 International Business (3) SEM

FR 116 Contemporary France (3) 2YR

GEOG 335 Geography of Middle America (3) 1YR

GER 116 Contemporary Germany (3) 2YR

HIST 110 African Civilization (3) 1YR

HIST 112 Asian Civilization I: From Prehistory to the 1600s (3) 1YR

HIST 113 Asian Civilization II: The Modern Transformation (3) 1YR

HIST 118 History of Mexico (3) SEM

HIST 283 Russian Civilization (3) 2YR

JAPN 116 Contemporary Japan (3) IRR

MIND 289 Coming of Age in the Twentieth Century (3) 1YR

MIND 292 Ideas in Conflict (3) IRR

MUS 247 Music Cultures of the World (3) 1YR

COMM 323 Intercultural Communication (3) SEM

b. Multicultural Studies

ANT 317 Contemporary Native American Issues (3) 1YR

AFS 100 Introduction to Africana Studies (3) SEM

AFS 101 Development of Black Identity (3) SEM

CH 236 Health and Life-styles Among the Elderly (3) 1YR

ENG 236 Ethnic American Literature (3) SEM

HISP 102 Hispanic Cultures in the United States (3) SEM

HIST 290 American Immigration (3) SEM

HRS 290 Introduction to Human Rehabilitative Services (3) SEM

HISP 102 Hispanic Cultures in the United States (3) SEM

MAS 100 Introduction to Mexican American Studies (3)

MAS 110 Contemporary Chicano Literature (3) IRR

MCS 101 Multiculturalism in the United States: Concepts and Issues (3) SEM

MIND 182 Confluence of Cultures (3) 1YR

MUS 150 History of Rock and Roll (3) IRR

SOC 237 Sociology of Minorities (3) SEM

WS 101 Women in Contemporary Society (3) SEM

Special Notes

Courses required for the major, but not carrying the major prefix, may count for both General Education and the major.
Up to six semester credit hours of courses carrying the major prefix may count for General Education, provided such courses are listed above as General Education courses.
Courses required for a minor or second major may count for both the minor or second major as well as General Education, provided such courses are listed above as General Education courses.
A course taken before the time it appears in a Catalog as a General Education course will not count for General Education.

Exceptions to the GenEd Program Requirements

Transfer students who have completed equivalent programs in General Education as determined by the Admissions Office may be exempted from all or part of the General Education requirements.

A student who has earned a liberal-arts based Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree or who has completed an equivalent program in General Education as determined by the UNC Admissions Office will receive credit for such work and be excused from the content area of the General Education requirements. Courses required for the skill areas are evaluated course by course and the required number of hours for each skill area must be met.

If a student presents an ACT score of 30.0 or higher in English, or an SAT verbal score of 630 or higher, he or she is exempt from the basic composition area (Skill 1a) equivalent to ENG 122.

If a student presents an ACT score of 26.0 or higher in mathematics, or an SAT math score of 560 or higher, he or she is exempt from the mathematics area (Skill 2).

Students enrolled in any Army ROTC course and who participate in organized ROTC physical training for at least one session a week during the entire semester may request a waiver to be exempt from the physical activity area (Skill 3).

A student may challenge a General Education course and receive an exemption by registering for the course and passing the challenge examination. Interested students should contact the appropriate department to determine the availability of a challenge examination.

CLEP examinations are available for General Education credit. The student should contact Career Services for information relative to the CLEP program.