The general education program offers a common academic experience for all Kennesaw State University students. In a series of interrelated courses in the liberal arts and sciences, it provides the opportunity for them to acquire the intellectual skills and knowledge characteristic of educated persons. Thus it lays the foundation for success in their academic, professional, and personal lives. Whereas the major program contributes to a college education depth in a designated specialization, the general education program provides breadth by introducing and connecting a variety of disciplines.
The general education program at KSU
has five overall goals that encompass the individual primary educational
objectives for each course. During the course of the program,
students should achieve the following:
Listed below are the specific course requirements of the general education program, each with the primary educational objective that it satisfies. Students with advanced standing credits or transfer credits for general education programs at other institutions may be permitted to satisfy KSU requirements through acceptable course substitutions or the completion of approved general education requirements elsewhere in the University System of Georgia. Students seeking such substitutions or equivalencies should contact the Dean of Undergraduate Studies and General Education.
| Primary Educational Objectives | Core Course Requirements | Credit Hours |
| 1.Strengthen understanding of and critical thinking about world social issues | ANTH 2105 Social Issues:
Perspectives in Athropology or GEOG 2105 Social Issues: Perspectives in Geography or PSYC 2105 Social Issues: Perspectives in Psychology or SOCI 2105 Social Issues: Perspectives in Sociology |
|
| 2. Strengthen understanding of the importance of the arts in the world societies | ART 1107 Arts in Society
:Visual Arts or MUSI 1107 Arts in Society :Music or THTR 1107 Arts in Society :Theater |
|
| 3. Strengthen understanding of different ways of knowing and communicating | COM 1109 Human
Communication or FL 1002: Introduction to Foreign Language and Culture II (Several languages offered) or PHIL 2200 Ways of Knowing |
|
| 4. Strengthen understanding of economic decision making in a global context | ECON 1100 Global Economics
or ECON 2100 Principles of Microeconomics (Required for Business and International Affairs majors) |
|
| 5. Strengthen written commnication skills | ENGL 1101 Compostion I
(with a grade of "C"or better) |
|
| 6. Strengthen reading, research, and writing skills needed for papers, reports, and presentations in different disciplines | ENGL 1102
Compostion II (with a grade of "C"or better) |
|
| 7. Stengthen understanding of human experience through its aesthetic representation in world literature | ENGL 2110 World Literature |
|
| 8. Strengthen understanding of the past and how it influences present world societies | HIST 1110 Introduction to World Civilizations |
|
| 9. Strengthen understanding of the past and how it influences present U.S. society | HIST 2112 America Since 1890 |
|
| 10. Strengthen understanding of the relationship of physical activity and healthy lifestyles to quality of life | HPS 1000 Fitness for living |
|
| 11. Strengthen proficiency in mathematical problem-solving and modeling |
MATH 1101 Mathematical Modeling* Note: *Higher level math courses are acceptable. |
|
| 12. Strengthen the use of mathematical techniques to analyze real world problems |
MATH 1106 Elementary Applied Calculus
Note: Higher level math courses are acceptable. |
|
| 13. Strengthen understanding of American government in a global context. | POLS 1101 American Government in a Global Perspective |
|
| 14. Strengthen understanding of natural phenomena through the application of scientific methods |
Non-Scientific Majors Track: (7 credit hours required: one lab course and one non-lab course. Any science courses meeting these criteria are acceptable except Anatomy & Physiology, and Microbiology. The following sequence is recommended) SCI 1101 Science Principles and Process
I Scientific Majors Track: (8 credit
hours recommended for
CHEM 1211/ 1211L General Chemistry I & Lab CHEM 1212/ 1212L General Chemistry II & Lab PHYS 1111 Introductory Physics I PHYS1112 Physics II CHEM 1151/1151L Survey of Chemistry
I & Lab |
|
In addition to these primary educational outcomes which are specific to individual courses, the general education program is designed to achieve other cross-disciplinary educational objectives which are shared by many courses in the program.