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General Studies Program

What is the General Studies Program?

General Studies forms the foundation of learning at Wayne State College. Drawing from disciplines across the campus, the General Studies curriculum of study fosters intellectual inquiry, personal and professional development, and responsible citizenship as lifetime endeavors.
The General Studies curriculum represents a vital, diverse liberal arts approach to the student’s undergraduate experience, creating a common framework for more specialized study within a student’s major.

Goals

General Studies at Wayne State College seeks to help students achieve the following goals and objectives:

  • Develop expression 
  • Participate in methods of inquiry
  • Expand knowledge
  • Encourage civic virtue

Program Overview

Students will complete a minimum of 30 credit hours distributed over ten Core Academic Tenets (CAT) 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 Western Classical Music (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:

  • ECO 203 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
  • GEO 130 Physical Geography (3)
  • POS 100 American National Government (3)
  • SOC 110 Introduction to Anthropology (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 Concernts (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

Admissions

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Wayne, NE 68787

Telephone: 402-375-7234

Email: admissions@wsc.edu