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General Studies Program

What is the General Studies Program?

General Studies requirements: Core Academic Tenets (CATs)

General program overview: WSC’s 10 Core Academic Tenets (CATs) support the institution’s mission by providing a foundation of knowledge across a broad range of academic disciplines. Students will develop intellectual and practical skills to include: Inquiry and analysis, critical and creative thinking, written and oral communication, quantitative reasoning, and problem-solving.

General Studies goals: Students will complete a minimum of 30 credit hours distributed over 10 tenets of courses.

CAT 1: Write effectively and interpret the writing of others

Student Learning Outcomes Course Options
  • Write using accepted conventions, grammar, and mechanics.
  • Interpret written material by analyzing the arguments, perspectives, and objectives of the text.
  • Compose written work for a particular purpose, situation, and/or audience.

Students must take the following course:

  • ENG 102 Composition Skills (3)

CAT 2: Speak and listen effectively

Student Learning Outcomes Course Options
  • Identify and describe the variety and usage of different verbal and nonverbal expressions of a language, discipline, and/or setting.
  • Interpret and explain the objectives, perspectives, and arguments of others.
  • Speak to address the needs of particular situations or audiences.

Students must take one of the listed courses:

  • CNA 100 Principles of Human Communication (3)
  • FRE 110 Elementary French I (3)
  • FRE 120 Elementary French II (3)
  • GER 110 Elementary German I (3)
  • GER 120 Elementary German II (3)
  • MLC 110 Elementary Language I (3)
  • MLC 120 Elementary Language II (3)
  • SPA 110 Elementary Spanish I (3)
  • SPA 119 Spanish for Criminal Justice (3)
  • SPA 120 Elementary Spanish II (3)

CAT 3: Develop, evaluate, and use quantitative and logical reasoning to solve complex problems.

Student Learning Outcomes Course Options
  • Demonstrate skills in mathematics, reasoning, and/or statistics to analyze information.
  • Interpret and explain mathematical, logical, and/or statistical concepts.
  • Evaluate quantitative and logical information within their social context.

Students must take one of the listed courses:

  • BUS 122 Personal Finance in Modern Society
  • MAT 110 Contemporary Applications of Math (3)
  • MAT 121 College Algebra (3)
  • MAT 130 Precalculus (5)
  • MAT 140 Calculus I (5)
  • MAT 180 Applied Probability and Statistics (3)
  • MAT 210 Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I (3)
  • PHI 110 The Power of Critical Thinking (3)

CAT 4: Recognize the visual and performing arts as an expression of imagination and creativity.

Student Learning Outcomes Course Options
  • Identify and describe formal and stylistic elements of the arts.
  • Interpret and critique works using the terms, concepts, and methods of the discipline.
  • Analyze the relationship between art and its social contexts and/or create or perform works of art.

Students must take one of the listed courses:

  • ART 102 Visual Arts Experience (3)
  • ART 103 Studio Art for Non-Majors (3)
  • ART 244 Art History Survey I (3)
  • ART 245 Art History Survey II (3)
  • CNA 101 Introduction to Theatre (3)
  • CNA 223 Acting (3)
  • MUS 152 American Music (3)
  • MUS 154 American Popular Music (3)
  • MUS 156 History of Jazz (3)
  • MUS 158 Music in Film (3)
  • MUS 162 Music Theatre (3)
  • MUS 164 History of American Rock 'n' Roll, 1940-1980 (3)
  • MUS 166 Music Appreciation (3)
  • MUS 168 World Music (3)

CAT 5: Recognize historical, social, and/or psychological concepts and theories as they relate to human behavior and social change.

Student Learning Outcomes Course Options
  • Identify and describe historical, social, and/or psychological issues that influence human behavior and social change.
  • Interpret historical, social, and/or psychological evidence to explain contemporary issues associated with human behavior and social change.
  • Analyze phenomena using historical, social, and/or psychological concepts and theories.

Students must take one of the listed courses:

  • HIS 150 History of the U.S. for General Studies (3)
  • HIS 170 World Civilizations I (3)
  • HIS 171 World Civilizations II (3)
  • HIS 280 America: 15,000 B.C. to 1845 (3)
  • HIS 281 America: 1845 to 1945 (3)
  • PSY 101 General Psychology (3)
  • SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3)

CAT 6: Evaluate human experiences and values through the study of literature, stories, and ideas.

Student Learning Outcomes Course Options
  • Articulate questions about the purposes and experiences of human life through literary and philosophical methods.
  • Compare and contrast belief systems and experience.
  • Appraise contemporary issues and experiences through the study of ethical judgements, narrative imaginations, and verbal expressions.

Students must take one of the listed courses:

  • ENG 150 Topics in Literature (3)
  • ENG 202 Poetry Workshop (3)
  • ENG 203 Fiction Workshop (3)
  • ENG 204 Creative Nonfiction Workshop (3)
  • ENG 260 Studies in Genre (3)
  • ENG 280 Themes and Movements in Literature (3)
  • PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy (3)
  • PHI 105 Ethics and Values (3)

CAT 7: Recognize the structure, complexity, and impact of the life and/or physical sciences.

Student Learning Outcomes Course Options
  • Articulate basic theories and methods of the life and/or physical sciences.
  • Interpret and explain scientific concepts.
  • Appraise contemporary issues through scientific knowledge and skills..

Students must take one of the listed courses:

  • BIO 102 Biology for General Studies (3)
  • BIO 110 Biology Concepts (4)
  • BIO 280 Biology in Society – Honors (3)
  • EAS 110 Introduction to Meteorology (4)
  • EAS 120 Introduction to Geology (4)
  • EAS 250 Discover Astronomy (4)
  • NAT 280 Life Science for Elementary Education (3)
  • NAT 281 Physical Science for Elementary Education (3)
  • PHS 102 Physical Science Today (3)
  • PHY 201 and 321 General Physics I and Lab I (4)
  • PHY 301 and 321 University Physics I and Lab I (5)
  • PHY 326 Electronics (3)

CAT 8: Understand the diverse economic, cultural, ethical, social, environmental, and/or political implications that influence local, regional, and/or national society.

Student Learning Outcomes Course Options
  • Identify economic, cultural, ethical, social, environmental, and/or political beliefs and values that influence society.
  • Interpret and explain economic, cultural, ethical, social, environmental, and/or political issues and their implications on society.
  • Analyze economic, cultural, ethical, social, environmental, and/or political issues and propose solutions for a diverse society.

Students must take one of the listed courses:

  • CNA 102 Media Literacy (3)
  • ECO 203 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
  • GEO 130 Physical Geography (3)
  • POS 100 American National Government (3)
  • SOC 220 Social Problems (3)
  • SOC 245 Race and Ethnic Relations (3)

CAT 9: Integrate and apply skills and knowledge for life success as it relates to intrapersonal and interpersonal wellbeing.

Student Learning Outcomes Course Options
  • Explain and describe one or more of the following dimensions of wellness: emotional, occupational, social, spiritual, physical, financial, intellectual, creative, and environmental.
  • Assess intrapersonal and interpersonal behaviors associated with a state of wellness in contemporary society.
  • Plan improvement in intrapersonal and interpersonal behaviors associated with a state of wellness in contemporary society.

Students must take one of the listed courses:

  • CNA 210 Interpersonal Communication (3)
  • FCS 207 Nutrition (3)
  • PED 103 Physical Health and Wellbeing (3)
  • PGH 200 Introduction to Personal, Public and Global Health (3)

CAT 10: Recognize and evaluate how complex global issues and ideas affect their lives and those of others.

Student Learning Outcomes Course Options
  • Identify and describe global issues and their impact on communities.
  • Interpret and explain global issues and their effect on individuals and communities.
  • Evaluate global issues and the challenges that they present from multiple perspectives.

Students must take one of the listed courses:

  • BIO 104 Environmental Concerns (3)
  • ECO 202 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
  • GEO 120 World Regional Geography (3)
  • HIS 120 World History for General Education (3)
  • POS 110 Introduction to World Politics (3)
  • SPA 210 Intermediate Spanish I (3)
  • SPA 220 Intermediate Spanish II (3)

 

 

Brett Quick

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