General Education Mission Statement

The purpose of the General Education program at Saint Augustine’s College is to support the College’s mission by ensuring that its graduates are competent in reading, writing, oral communication, and fundamental math skills; acquire an understanding of the influence that History and the Visual and Performing Arts play in their professional and personal lives; and a consideration of ethical implications of personal and professional conduct.

The distribution of the General Education core of courses is designed to provide students with a broad based liberal arts educational core which is intended to develop students’ critical thinking and prepare them for life long learning. The General Education core facilitates students’ academic, social, and spiritual development for education, employment, and life in a complex world.

General Education Goals

Students who graduate from Saint Augustine’s College share certain characteristics based on common learning experiences. On the completion of the General Education course requirements, students should:

  • Think critically and demonstrate a high level of proficiency in written and oral expression;
  • Understand and apply mathematical concepts;
  • Understand essential elements in the physical and natural sciences;
  • Possess a basic understanding of social and behavioral sciences, and of the human environment and think in an informed manner about social and political issues;
  • Possess an appreciation of cultural and spiritual values, creative expression and the history and experience of human society through courses in the humanities, fine arts, and languages;
  • Reflect upon ethical and spiritual questions related to their intellectual interests, social responsibilities, and personal growth; and
  • Know how to lead a healthy lifestyle based upon an understanding of the importance of exercise and the principles of physical and natural science.

General Education Requirements

General Education requirements for all majors consist of a series of courses from the Division of Liberal Arts and Education, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Social Sciences. Every student is required to complete the following forty-seven (47) academic credit hours. General Education requirements may not be used to satisfy requirements in the major.

Foundations of Learning*

Hours

GED

112

Freshman Studies*

1

 

*

Transfer students who have earned 24 or more credits or who have completed an equivalent freshmen orientation course from a former institution are exempt from the Freshman Studies requirement.

 

 

 

English**

 

ENGL

131

English Composition I

3

ENGL

132

English Composition II

3

Total

 

 

6

 

**

All students are required to earn a minimum grade of “C” in English 131 and 132. Students must satisfactorily complete ENGL 131 with a “C” or better before enrolling in ENGL 132.

 

 

 

 

Modern Foreign Languages

 

FL

131

Foreign Language I (French, German or Spanish)

3

FL

132

Foreign Language II (French, German or Spanish)

3

Total

 

 

6

 

 

Ethics

 

PHIL

235

Ethics

3

 

 

History

 

HIST

231

American History I

3

HIST

232

American History II

3

 

 

or

 

HIST

133

World Civilization I

3

HIST

134

World Civilization II

3

Total

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

Mathematics (Select One)

 

MATH

131

College Algebra (or any higher courses)

3

MATH

Total

135

Algebra and Trigonometry (for all majors in the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Computer Science)

 

 

3

3

 

 


Natural Sciences

 

 

 

Biological Sciences (select one)

 

BIOL

131 and 131L

Fundamentals of Biology & Lab

 

4

BIOL

133 and 133L

Principles of Biology & Lab (for all majors in the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics)

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

 

 

Chemistry and Physics (select one)

 

PHYS

131 and 131L

Fundamentals of Physical Science & Lab

 

4

CHEM

141 and 141L

General Chemistry I and Lab (for Chemistry Majors)

 

4

Total

 

 

8

 

Social Sciences (select one)

CJ

 

Criminal Justice Discipline

3

PLPS

 

Political Science Discipline

3

PSYCH

 

Psychology Discipline

3

SOC

 

Sociology Discipline

3

Total

3

 

Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies

 

LIS

221*

Interdisciplinary Perspectives Through the Humanities

3

 

 

(Non-repeatable, topics vary)

 

COMM

201

Communication Skills

3

 

 

Elective* (Select one)

3

ART

 

Art Discipline

3

ENGL

 

English Literature Discipline

3

MUSIC

 

Music Discipline

3

PHIL

 

Philosophy Discipline

3

REL

 

Religion Discipline

3

TDF

 

Theater/Film Discipline

3

Total

 

 

3

 

*

Six semesters of a musical ensemble (i.e., Band, Jazz Band, Choir) will substitute for the three hours of a Liberal and Interdisciplinary Studies elective requirement for non-music majors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courses selected should not have a prerequisite requirement unless approved by the Division Chair or Department Chair.

 

 

 

Health & Physical Education*

 

PE

101

Wellness Concept

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

(Select two)

 

PE*

104-116

Physical Activities

.5

 

104- 116

Physical Activities

.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

or

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROTC Courses (2 Credit Hours)

 

MS **

101

Foundations of Officership

2

MS **

102

Basic Leadership

2

MS**

201

Individual and Leadership Studies

2

MS**

202

Leadership and Teamwork

2

Total

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

*

Participation in a physical activity may be waived only upon the submission by the student prior to the beginning of the course the appropriate documentation to support the waiver. Such documentation may include, but is not necessarily limited to, a written recommendation by a medical doctor clearly stating that the student is incapable of engaging in the physical activity. Such information must be made available to the head of the Human Performance and Wellness Department and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

 

 

**

 

Participation in ROTC 101-102 and 201-202 is subject to admission to the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps as well as the satisfaction of ROTC requirements.

 

A grade of “C” or better must be earned in each ROTC/MS course for substitution credit to be granted.

 

 

 

Total General Education Requirements

47 hours

Students should make every effort to complete all General Education requirements in their freshman and sophomore years. One course may not be used to satisfy two (or more) requirements. Hence, General Education courses may not be used to satisfy requirements in the student’s major, Divisional requirements or requirements for the minor. Physical activity requirements may be satisfied by proof of having served at least one year on active duty in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and/or by proof of having served at least one year in the Reserves in any branch of the United States Armed Forces.