Special Education program Graduate Students

General Education

For Students Enrolled Fall 2023+

Education at a college or university has traditionally had two equally important components—depth and breadth. Depth is provided by the academic major which a student chooses and which prepares him or her for a useful vocation; breadth of knowledge is the concern and aim of the general education curriculum. Since people first began to discuss the nature and purpose of education, they have seen in it something more than the mere acquisition of specific knowledge or skills, important as these may be. This something they called a liberal or general education and the need for it has been based on the ideal that a breadth of knowledge is necessary for an individual to become an informed and literate member of society.   

The University adopted  a new general education program that starts with students entering as first-year students in the Fall 2023 semester. For students who enrolled before Fall 2023, they will be able to finish their general education program (Pre-Fall 2023 General Education Programs – Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield)  or can meet with their advisor to explore opting into the new general education program.

On this page, below are the courses currently approved as General Education, more courses will be added as approved.  

Access the Complete General Education Curriculum Map 

* = Awaiting Approval  (Please note that the listing of courses below contains a mix of approved courses and those that are under review. Those that are awaiting approval are designated with an * after the course name.)

    Foundations

    We want our students to build sound Foundations - 15 credits

    Foundational courses coupled with other experiences provide students with their core First Year Experience, providing opportunities to develop the requisite quantitative, analytical, written communication, and oral communication skills needed to succeed while in college and throughout life after college. Five program goals express the purpose of these foundational courses and how they support student success.

    First Year Seminar (U)

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to develop skills in support of scholarly and academic success, engage with the university community, foster personal development and wellness, and promote understanding of diversity and social responsibility through a first-year seminar.

    FYS100 First Year Seminar 

    Writing

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to locate and organize information with appropriate evidence and language for clear written communication.

    WRIT101 Foundations in Composition* 
    WRIT103 Composition

    Oral Communication

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to develop oral communication skills necessary to organize and deliver a clear message with appropriate supporting material.

    COMM100 Introduction to Communication
    COMM101 Public Speaking
    COMM102 Interpersonal Communication
    COMM103 Small Group Communication 
    HONR211 Honors Oral Communication Seminar 

    History (H)

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to understand major historical themes, applying critical analysis to generate arguments based on appropriate evidence.

    ANTH130 Introduction to Archaeology 
    ARAB211 MENA History Culture and Civilization
    ARTH230 Intro to Asian Art 
    ARTH257 History of Art Market 
    ARTH302 Greco-Roman World
    ARTH303 Medieval Art and Society 
    ARTH304 Italian Renaissance Art 
    ARTH307 19th Century Art
    ARTH340 Islamic Art and Architecture 
    CHIN211 Chinese History culture and Civilization 
    FREN211 French History Culture and Civilization
    GERM211 German History Culture and Civilization
    HIST111 World History I
    HIST112 World History II 
    HIST121 US History to 1877
    HIST122 US History since 1877
    HIST131 Asian History to 1500
    HIST132 Asian History since 1500
    HIST145 History of Islamicate Societies to 1260
    HIST146 History of Islamicate Societies since 1260
    HIST210 20th Century World History
    HIST213 Religion and Violence
    HIST220 World War Two
    HIST228 African American History
    HIST270 Hollywood History
    HONR212 Honors History Seminar 
    MUSI220 Western Music Until 1750 
    RUSS211 Russian History Culture and Civilization 
    SPAN211 Spanish and Spanish American History Culture and Civilization 

    Quantitative (Q)

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to interpret mathematical forms, analyze through calculations, and communicate quantitative reasoning.

    MATH101 Math Thinking
    MATH101A Math Thinking with Recitation
    MATH110 Concepts of Arithmetic and Number Systems
    MATH118 College Algebra
    MATH118A College Algebra with Recitation
    MATH120 Mathematics for the Health Sciences
    MATH120A Mathematics for the Health Sciences with Recitation 
    MATH130 Finite Mathematics
    MATH130A Finite Mathematics with Recitation
    MATH140 Precalculus 
    MATH150 Essentials of Calculus 
    STAT141 Introduction to Statistics
    STAT141A Introduction to Statistics with Recitation 

    Interconnections

    We want our students to recognize Interconnections - 9 Credits

    This curriculum will provide students with opportunities to explore human behavior, social interactions, and global communities through humanities and the social and behavioral sciences. Open discourse about the causes and consequences of human behavior and thought, and the interconnectedness of societies revealed by examining traditions and structures, provides a pathway to mutual respect and tolerance in a diverse world.

    Three program goals express what we will do for students. Each goal has an associated rubric that outlines what we expect students to learn or accomplish. Students must complete three (3) courses in this curriculum, with at least one (1) course being a diversity course (‘D’ rubric) and at least one (1) course being a global perspectives course (‘G’ rubric).

    Diversity

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to evaluate the diversity of human experience, behavior, and thought, in order to better understand ourselves and others, to respond to the roots of inequality that undermines social justice, while developing awareness regarding diversity in culture, ethnicity, race, gender/gender expression, religion, age, social class, sexual orientation, or abilities.

     

    ANTH101 Introduction to Anthropology
    ANTH120 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
    ANTH240 Indigenous Peoples & the United States
    ARTH370 Women, Art & Society 
    CESS310 European City Studies 
    COMM200 Intercultural Communication
    COMM312 Gender and Communication
    COMM314 Communicating Identity and Difference
    ECED250 Culturally Relevant Sustaining Education PK-4
    EGGS102 World Cultural Geography
    ELL320 Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
    ENGL280 Literature & Identity: Topic TBA
    ENGL281 Civil Rights Lit 
    ENGL283 Literature and Ethnic Identity 
    ENGL284 Literature and Gender Identity
    ENGL288 Feminist Reading of Culture 
    EXER288 Women in Sport
    FREN214 French Cinema Society and the Individual
    HIST377 American Woman
    HLSC307 Cultural Aspects of Health
    HONR214 Honors Diversity Seminar 
    LING111 Language in the U.S.A. 
    PHIL306 Feminist Philosophy
    POLI215 Gender and Politics 
    POLI216 Race and Politics 
    SOCI361 Chinas Culture and Society* 
    SOWK323 Exploring LGBTQ+ Experiences
    SPAN213 Latinos Contributions to the US 
    WGNS101 Introduction to Women's Studies
    WGNS110 Introduction to LGBTQ Studies
    WLCU202 Diversity in World Cinema 

    Global Perspectives (G)

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to develop global perspectives by analyzing systems, and evaluating interrelationships.

    ANTH150 Anthropology and World Issues*
    ARAB101 Elementary Arabic I 
    ARTH253 History of Fiber and Fashion 
    ARTH311 African-American Art 
    ARTH330 Latin American Art 
    ARTH350 Art of Africa and Oceania 
    CHIN101 Elementary Chinese I 
    ECON121 Principles of Macroeconomics
    EGGS104 World Regional Geography 
    EGGS105 Environmental Issues and Choices 
    EGGS108 Climate Change
    EGGS140 Sustainability Science
    EGGS205 Special Topics in Regional Geography* 
    EGGS212 Geog of Developing World* 
    EGGS218 Global Water 
    ENGL220 Global Literature Survey
    ENGL320 Global Literature and Culture 
    FREN101 Elementary French I 
    FREN112 Tour de France: Culture, Art, Architecture, and History 
    GERM101 Elementary German I
    HIST457 Early Modern Ottoman Empire Seminar
    HIST458 Modern Ottoman Empire Seminar
    HLPE145 Global Sports and Cultural Differences, Nationalism, Ideologies, and Politics 
    HLSC212 Global Health Promotion
    HONR210 Honors Global Perspectives Seminar 
    ITAL101 Elementary Italian I 
    ITAL102 Elementary Italian II* 
    LATN101 Elementary Latin I 
    MATH220 History of Mathematics
    MUSI111 World Music
    NUTR300 Cultural Nutrition 
    PHIL311 Eastern Philosophy
    PHIL312 Africana Philosophy
    POLI140 Comparative Politics
    POLI160 International Relations 
    POLI245 Terrorism 
    POLI258 China and the World 
    POLI259 Politics in the Global South 
    POLI261 Global Issues
    POLI266 Politics of Global Health
    POLI326 Politics of the Global Economy 
    POLI351 African Politics
    POLI364 Human Rights 
    POLI366 Regionalism in Global Affairs
    RUSS101 Elementary Russian I 
    SOCI360 Globalization and Culture
    SPAN101 Elementary Spanish I 

    Foreign Languages (F)

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to understand and demonstrate oral and written communication in a foreign language as well as awareness of a foreign culture.

    ARAB102 Elementary Arabic II 
    CHIN102 Elementary Chinese II
    FREN102 Elementary French II
    GERM102 Elementary German II
    ITAL102 Elementary Italian II
    LATN102 Elementary Latin II
    RUSS102 Elementary Russian II
    SPAN102 Elementary Spanish II

    Citizenship and Responsibility

    We want our students to consider the importance of Citizenship & Responsibility - 6 credits

    This curriculum will provide students with opportunities to consider the function and development of institutions, as well as their own responsibilities in society. Tools for development of students as informed and responsible citizens can include study of principles and research in social science, analysis of the development of social and political systems and practices, application of critical analysis and reasoning, and contemplation of ethics and values. Each goal has an associated rubric that outlines what we expect students to learn or accomplish.

    Students are required to complete two (2) courses (or their equivalents) in this curriculum, with no more than one (1) course being attributed with the same program goal.

    Citizenship (S)

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to understand responsible citizenship through the development of ideas of citizenship and rights, how society protect or fails to protect basic rights, and avenues for individual or collective action.

    HLSC211 Public Health Social Justice and Advocacy 
    INT120  Anti-Racism, Equity, and Social Responsibility 
    LAWL120 Personal Legal Decisions
    LAWL231 Law and the Legal Environment 
    MDIA240 News & Democracy
    MDIA250 Public Relations Theory and Practice
    PHIL304 Philosophy of Law
    PHIL305 Political Philosophy
    POLI110 US Government: Participation and Policy
    POLI170 Political Ideologies 
    POLI212 US State and Local Politics 
    POLI324 Philosophy of Law 
    POLI371 Political Philosophy 
    SOCI305 Sociology of Religion 
    SPEC110 Introduction to Individuals with Exceptionalities
    WLCU215 Immigration Integration and Belonging

    Ethical Reasoning (E)

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to identify ethical theories or guidelines and apply appropriate ethical reasoning to reach conclusions and support moral judgments.

    HONR216 Honors Ethical Reasoning Seminar 
    PHIL203 Business Ethics
    PHIL204 Environmental Ethics
    PHIL205 Medical Ethics
    PHIL221 Contemporary Moral Problems
    PHIL302 Ethics

    Critical Reasoning (R)

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to use appropriate critical analysis and reasoning to explain and analyze concepts, and apply concepts to issues to determine significance or value.

    COMM208 Communication Research Methods 
    COMM209 Rhetorical Criticism
    COMM332 Argumentation and Advocacy 
    ECON122 Principles of Microeconomics
    EGGS100 Introduction to Environmental Science* 
    HLSC140 Introduction to Public Health
    HLSC218 Public Health and the Environment
    HLSC332 Psychological Considerations of Injury and Illness for Healthcare Providers
    HLSC340 Epidemiology
    HLSC401 Current Issues in Health
    HONR215 Honors Citizenship Seminar 
    HONR217 Honors Critical Reasoning Seminar
    INDT450 Instructional Design
    MATH103 Critical Reasoning in Mathematics*
    MATH230 Discrete Structures*
    MATH250 Discrete Math
    MDIA120 Introduction to Emergent Media
    PHIL101 Introduction to Philosophy
    PHIL102 Critical Thinking
    PHIL201 Deductive Logic
    PHIL210 Ancient Philosophy
    PHIL222 Philosophy and Pop Culture
    PHIL223 Philosophy of Religion 
    PHIL303 Existentialism
    PHIL307 Art, Beauty, and the Sublime
    PHIL313 Medieval Philosophy 
    PHIL314 Descartes to Kant
    POLI221 Constitutional Law I 
    SOCI101 Introduction to Sociology
    SOCI260 Foundations of Sociological Thought 
    SOCI340 Firearms and the United States 

    Natural World and Technology

    We want our students to better understand the Natural World and the Technologies that surround them - 9 credits

    This curriculum will provide students the opportunity to learn how new knowledge is created by applying scientific principles and technology to address historical and contemporary questions. Two program goals express what we will do for students. Each goal has an associated rubric that outlines what we expect students to learn or accomplish.

    Students must complete 3 courses in this curriculum, with at least two (2) courses (or their equivalents) involving the natural world (‘N’ rubric).

    Natural World (N)

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to understand the scientific method and resulting principles and theories, critically evaluating data to answer questions about the natural world.

    ANTH140 Intro to Biological Anthropology 
    ANTH221 Forensic Anthropology 
    ASTR102 Stars and Galaxies
    ASTR103 Astronomy
    BIOL100 Cells, Genes, and Molecules
    BIOL101 Human Biology 
    BIOL102 Ecology and Evolution
    BIOL103 Biodiversity and Conservation
    BIOL105 Basic Biology 
    BIOL106 Exploring Biology 
    BIOL107 Biology in the Headlines 
    BIOL110 Principles of Biology 1 
    BIOL180 Anatomy and Physiology 1
    CHEM100 Chemistry of Air, Water, and Earth
    CHEM102 Toxins & Poisons
    CHEM103 Crime Scenes and Chemistry*
    CHEM104 Chemistry and Art* 
    CHEM105 How Drugs Work
    CHEM121 General Chemistry I
    CHEM122 General Chemistry II
    EGGS101 Intro to Environmental Science
    EGGS101 Intro to Physical Geography 
    EGGS103 Dinosaurs* 
    EGGS106 Planets
    EGGS107 Natural Disasters
    EGGS111 Earth Science
    EGGS120 Physical Geology
    EGGS125 Geology of Gemstones* 
    EGGS130 Historical Geology
    EGGS135 Geology of National Parks
    EGGS220 Environmental Geology
    EGGS242 Map Use and Analysis 
    EGGS259 Oceanography
    ENGT101 Introduction to Engineering Technology 
    HLSC115 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 
    HLTH122 Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology*
    HONR218 Honors Natural World Seminar 
    PHYS105 Energy and Society* 
    PHYS108 Galileo The Father of Experimental Science
    PHYS110 How Things Work*
    PHYS125 Physics of Sports
    PHYS204 Acoustics*
    PHYS208 Introductory Physics I* 
    PHYS209 Introductory Physics II
    PHYS211 General Physics 1
    PHYS212 General Physics 2
    PSYC100 Introduction to Psychology
    RASC140 Radioecology*

    Technology (T)

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to acquire knowledge, skills, and competencies regarding a broad range of computer technologies and software, and to use them responsibly.

    ART190 Digital Foundation 
    ARVR200 Intro to VR and AR 
    CMSC115 Python Programming
    CMSC120 Object-Oriented Programming with Java 
    COMM323 Computer Applications for Professional Communicators
    DGFR121 File Systems 1 
    EDTC200 Technology for Teaching and Learning 
    EGGS160 Digital Earth 
    EGGS242 Mapping and GIS Fundamentals 
    HONR219 Honors Technologies Seminar
    INDT465 Virtual Teams 
    ITAN175 Spreadsheet Analysis GE 
    MDIA220 Introduction to Multimedia 
    MUSI230 Technology in Music Education 
    SPEC229 Technology for Individuals with Exceptionalities 

    Creativity and Expression

    We want our students to recognize and appreciate Creativity & Expression - 6 credits

    This part of the curriculum will provide students with opportunities to explore artistic and literary disciplines and their modes of expression, considering the processes by which artistic works are imagined and created as well as the analytical tools for describing and appraising works of art and literature. Each goal has an associated rubric that outlines what we expect students to learn or accomplish.

    Students must complete two (2) courses (or their equivalents) in this curriculum, with one (1) course being a literature course (‘L’ rubric)and one course in either the arts or creativity (‘A’ or ‘C’ rubrics).

    Literature (L)

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to comprehend, analyze, and determine the significance for works of literature.

    ARAB212 Arabic Literature and Culture 
    CESS212 Central and East European Literature and Culture 
    CHIN212 Chinese Literature and Culture
    ENGL151 Intro to Literature
    ENGL152 Lit and Society
    ENGL227 European Literature Survey 
    ENGL228 Core Western Texts
    ENGL230 American Literature Survey I 
    ENGL231 American Lit II
    ENGL240 British Literature I
    ENGL241 British Literature II* 
    ENGL282 Af Am Lit
    ENGL289 Sexualities and Literature 
    ENGL290 Short Story
    ENGL291 Poetry 
    ENGL292 Creative Nonfiction
    ENGL330 American Literature and Culture
    ENGL340 British Literature & Culture
    ENGL360 Literature and Media in Culture
    ENGL390 Shakespeare
    ENGL391 Author(s) in Context 
    ENGL420 Studies in Genre 
    FREN212 French Literature and Culture 
    HONR220 Honors Literature Seminar
    LAWL340 Law & Literature
    RUSS212 Russian Literature and Culture 
    SPAN212 Spanish and Spanish American Film Literature and Culture 
    THEA105 Script Analysis 
    WLCU201 International Short Story 

    Arts (A)

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to describe, analyze, and respond to the scope of works in the arts.

    ART388 Gallery Management and Exhibition Design
    ARTH110 Understanding Art
    ARTH120 World of the Arts 
    ARTH210 Ancient to Medieval Art 
    ARTH220 Renaissance to Contemporary Art 
    ARTH251 History of Graphic Design 
    ARTH252 History of Photography 
    ARTH300 Special Topics 
    ARTH308 American Art 
    ARTH309 History of Modern Art 
    ARTH310 Contemporary Art
    DANC110 Dance History: A World Survey
    ENGL204 Intro Creative Writing
    HONR221 Honors Arts Seminar 
    MDIA210 Cinema Appreciation 
    MUEN332 Symphonic Band 
    MUSI110 Intro to Music 
    MUSI112 History of Popular Music 
    THEA102 Intro to Theatre
    THEA103 Theatre Appreciation 

    Creative (C)

    General Education Goal: Guide and prompt students to demonstrate and apply creative competencies, problem solving and preparation in the realization of a creative work.

    ART100 2-D Foundation 
    ART101 3-D Foundation 
    ART120 Drawing Foundation 
    ART180 Water Based Media 
    ART205 Creative Explorations 
    ART210 Ceramics - Wheel Throwing I 
    ART212 Ceramics - Hand Building & Tile Making I 
    ART214 Glaze Calculation 
    ART230 Fabric Design - Dye 
    ART231 Fabric Design - Surface
    ART232 Fabric Design - Natural Dye & Fiber 
    ART233 Fabric Design - Fiber Art 
    ART234 Fabric Design - Sew & Structure 
    ART240 Painting I 
    ART241 Observational Painting 
    ART242 Experimental Painting 
    ART243 Figure Painting
    ART250 Darkroom Photography 
    ART252 Digital Photography 
    ART253 Cell Phone Photography 
    ART254 Portrait Photography 
    ART255 Experimental Photography 
    ART256 Landscape Photo
    ART257 Street Photography 
    ART260 Printmaking Survey
    ART261 Printmaking Etching 
    ART262 Printmaking Woodcut 
    ART263 Printmaking Silkscreen
    ART264 Printmaking Lithography 
    ART265 Printmaking Printing by Hand 
    ART270 Sculpture I 
    ART272 Sculpture - Wood & Metal 
    ART273 Sculpture - The Figure 
    ART274 Sculpture - Mixed Media 
    ART275 Sculpture - New Technologies
    ART276 Sculpture - Clay & Plaster 
    ART277 Sculpture - Composite Materials 
    ART281 Multicultural Crafts 
    ART282 Global Art 
    ART283 Book Structures
    DANC115 Ballet & Jazz I
    DANC215 Modern I/II
    DANC315 Jazz II
    DANC325 Ballet II
    EGGS115 Nature Study and Creative Expression* 
    GRDS200 Introduction to Graphic Design 
    GRDS282 Letterpress
    GRDS293 Experimental Letterform 
    HONR222 Honors Creativity Seminar 
    MDIA222 Introduction to Visual Communications
    MUEN330 Wind Ensemble 
    MUEN331 Marching Band 
    MUEN335 Jazz Band 
    MUEN350 Symphony Orchestra
    MUSI115 Basic Class Piano
    THEA110 Introduction to Acting 
    THEA270 Fundamentals of Theatre Design 
    THEA371 Scenic Design & Technology 
    THEA372 Makeup Design & Technology 
    THEA373 Sound Design & Technology
    THEA374 Lighting Design & Technology 
    THEA377 Costume Design & Technology 

    General Education

    For Students Enrolled Before Fall 2023

    To access the legacy general education programs for Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield please visit:

    Note: The Commonwealth University general education was adopted from Shippensburg and we appreciate the Shippensburg University General Education Committee's generosity in sharing and guiding the CU curriculum committees as we built this model for use at CU.