General Education Curriculum in the Degree Programs

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General Education Curriculum Mission Statement: The General Education Curriculum (GEC) of The University of Southern Mississippi is designed to equip its graduates with a broad range of knowledge and skills and the wisdom to deploy them appropriately. In order to build lives of dignity and purpose, university graduates will need to:

analyze and evaluate private, public and professional discourse;
assume leadership roles, making use of effective oral and written communication;
engage their local, national and global communities as responsible citizens;
integrate knowledge across subject matters and disciplines;
approach societal problems with enthusiasm, energized by a spirit of inquiry and collective decision-making;
adapt to professional, technological, social, and environmental change with flexibility and resourcefulness;
make choices, conscious of intellectual, social and ethical contexts;
make decisions intended to cultivate and maintain individual and collective well-being;
create and engage in equitable, inclusive, diverse and accessible communities, organizations, professions and polities;
see themselves, their communities and their nation in historical context;
assess scientific data and conclusions;
appreciate the arts and their contribution to enlarging the human spirit; and
collaborate with others to create a humane world.

The faculty and administration of The University of Southern Mississippi are committed to providing educational experiences that empower our students not only to meet these challenges, but also to engage the future using the habits of learning acquired during their university education.

General Education Curriculum Oversight

The University of Southern Mississippi Undergraduate Council provides general supervision over the undergraduate academic affairs of the University including the General Education Curriculum. The General Education Committee of the Undergraduate Council is responsible for reviewing and recommending to the Undergraduate Council all courses proposed for inclusion in the university’s undergraduate General Education Curriculum. The committee is also responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of all courses included in the General Education Curriculum according to the policy, procedures and criteria specified in the Undergraduate Council Bylaws. The Office of Institutional Effectiveness provides administrative support to the Undergraduate Council.

General Education Curriculum Student Learning Outcomes: The General Education Curriculum is structured for students to attain specific learning outcomes organized around the nine categories of the General Education Curriculum. Each category is associated with one or more broad learning principles and identifies specific student learning outcomes that are met by all courses within that GEC category.

There are 14 unique student learning outcomes across all nine categories. Because GEC 01, GEC 02, GEC 03, GEC 04, GEC 05, GEC 07, and GEC 09 each have a significant writing component, the two student learning outcomes related to written communication are repeated for each of these categories. Because GEC 08 and GEC 09 each have a significant speaking component, the student learning outcome related to oral communication is repeated for each of these categories. The General Education Curriculum student learning outcomes are:

Students will develop a topic and present ideas through writing in an organized, logical, and coherent form and in a style that is appropriate for the discipline and the situation.
Students will use Standard English grammar, punctuation, spelling, and usage.
Students will write a coherent analytical essay of a rhetorical situation or through written communication effectively analyze the components of an argument.
Students will differentiate the basic concepts in a discipline of science.
Students will employ the scientific method, interpret scientific data, and reach a plausible conclusion.
Students will demonstrate the ability to work with real world situations involving fundamental math concepts.
Students will evaluate major developments in world history, the historical roots of contemporary global cultures, or the literary, philosophical, or religious contributions of world cultures.
Students will comprehend and proficiently interpret text.
Students will understand the influence of art, music, theatre and/or dance on culture.
Students will actively provide their own reasoned judgment of art, music, theatre and/or dance.
Students will identify theories of human behavior, societal development, human decision making, and group/social processes and apply theories and methodologies to real world situations and current issues and concerns.
Students will recognize the effects of diversity among individuals or within/among groups/social systems.
Students will find, use, and cite relevant sources of information.
Students will use appropriate strategies to speak effectively in professional, social, or personal contexts.

Writing and Speaking in the General Education Curriculum

Fluency in communication is the hallmark of an educated person. Therefore, the General Education Curriculum emphasizes the development of college-level communication skills of all students.

Writing. Courses in the first five GEC categories require students to write a minimum of 2,500 words. In addition, English 102 requires students to write at least 5,000 words. Each degree plan specifies: (1) an upper-level course that is writing intensive and (2) a capstone. In each of these courses, students are required to write a minimum of 5,000 words. These writing requirements may be met through a combination and/or range of written assignments that are appropriate to the discipline and level of the GEC course in question.

Speaking. Each degree plan specifies: (1) an oral communication course and (2) a capstone. Both of these courses require the successful completion of a minimum of two significant and graded speaking assignments.

Writing and Speaking Resources for Students and Faculty. The University of Southern Mississippi is committed to providing a learning environment that offers enhanced support for strengthening speaking and writing skills. Students have access to individualized assistance with writing and speaking assignments for any course through the university’s Writing Center and Speaking Centers on both the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses. Online tutoring is available for distance education students. The centers offer personalized assistance at any stage of the process with the goal of helping students become more effective writers and speakers. The Speaking Center also includes a presentation rehearsal studio with the tools and space to rehearse, record and view a presentation.

General Education Curriculum Syllabi

Syllabi of courses in the General Education Curriculum must include a statement or description of: (a) GEC Student Learning Outcomes addressed in the course; (b) course content and related activities; (c) student reading and writing requirements, where appropriate; (d) instructional methods and resources; and (e) student performance standards (including rubric if applicable).

Final Exams or Projects in the General Education Curriculum

All courses in the first six General Education Curriculum categories require a significant final project or proctored final examination.

GEC 01. Written Communication (6 hours)

Students complete:

ENG 101 - Composition One 3 hrs. taken the first semester at the university or immediately following ENG 100E
ENG 102 - Composition Two 3 hrs. taken the semester immediately following ENG 101

ACT Requirement.

Students scoring 20 or above on the English language portion of the ACT must enroll in ENG 101 during their first semester at the university. Students scoring 19 or below on the English language portion of the ACT must enroll in ENG 100E during their first semester at the university and ENG 101 in the regular semester immediately following completion of ENG 100E . In the regular semester immediately following completion of ENG 101 , students must enroll in ENG 102 .

GEC 02. Natural Science (8 hours minimum)

Science (8 hours minimum)

Students complete two lecture courses with the co-requisite laboratories from the following list:

AST 111 - General Astronomy I 3 hrs. AND
AST 111L - General Astronomy I Laboratory 1 hr.
AST 112 - General Astronomy II 3 hrs. AND
AST 112L - General Astronomy II Laboratory 1 hr.
BSC 103 - Biology and Society 3 hrs. ◊AND
BSC 103L - Biology and Society Laboratory 1 hr ◊
BSC 107 - Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology 3 hrs. AND
BSC 107L - Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory 1 hr.
BSC 110 - Principles of Biological Science I 3 hrs. ◊AND
BSC 110L - Principles of Biological Science I Laboratory 1 hr. ◊
BSC 111 - Principles of Biological Science II 3 hrs. ◊AND
BSC 111L - Principles of Biological Science II Laboratory 1 hr. ◊
BSC 250 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I 3 hrs. AND
BSC 250L - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory 1 hr.
BSC 251 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 3 hrs. AND
BSC 251L - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory 1 hr.
CHE 104 - Chemistry and Our Environment 3 hrs. AND
CHE 104L - Chemistry and Our Environment Laboratory 1 hr.
CHE 106 - General Chemistry I 3 hrs.
CHE 106L - General Chemistry I Laboratory 1 hr.
GHY 104 - Weather and Climate 3 hrs. AND
GHY 104L - Weather and Climate Laboratory 1 hr.
GHY 105 - Land and Water 3 hrs. AND
GHY 105L - Land and Water Lab 1 hr.
GLY 101 - Physical Geology 3 hrs. AND
GLY 101L - Physical Geology Laboratory 1 hr.
GLY 103 - Historical Geology 3 hrs. AND
GLY 103L - Historical Geology Laboratory 1 hr.
MAR 151 - Introduction to Ocean Science 3 hrs. AND
MAR 151L - Introduction to Ocean Science Laboratory 1 hr.
PHY 103 - Introductory Physics 3 hrs. AND
PHY 103L - Introductory Physics Laboratory 1 hr.
PHY 111 - General Physics I 3 hrs. AND
PHY 111L - General Physics I Laboratory 1 hr.
PHY 112 - General Physics II 3 hrs. AND
PHY 112L - General Physics II Laboratory 1 hr.
PHY 201 - General Physics I with Calculus 4 hrs. AND
PHY 201L - General Physics I with Calculus Laboratory 1 hr.
PHY 202 - General Physics II with Calculus 4 hrs. AND
PHY 202L - General Physics II with Calculus Laboratory 1 hr.
PSE 190 - Living in a Material World 3 hrs. AND
PSE 190L - Lab for Living in a Material World 1 hr.

GEC 03. Humanities (9 hours)

Students complete:

ENG 203 - World Literature 3 hrs.

Students complete two courses; one history course required:

HIS 101 - World Civilizations: Beginnings to 1500 C.E. 3 hrs.
HIS 102 - World Civilizations: 1500 to the present 3 hrs.
HUM 201 - Colloquium on the Pre-Modern World 3 hrs.
HUM 202 - Colloquium on the Modern World 3 hrs.
PHI 151 - Introduction to Philosophy 3 hrs.
PHI 171 - Ethics and Good Living 3 hrs.
REL 131 - Comparative Religion 3 hrs.

GEC 04. Aesthetic Values (3 hours)

Students complete one course:

GEC 05. Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)

Students complete two courses:

ANT 101 - The Human Experience: A Global Perspective on Human Diversity 3 hrs.
HHS 100 - Concepts of Wellness 3 hrs.
ECO 101 - Basic Economics 3 hrs.
GHY 101 - World Geography: Dynamics of a Changing Earth 3 hrs.
PS 101 - American Government 3 hrs.
PSY 110 - General Psychology 3 hrs.
SOC 101 - Understanding Society: Principles of Sociology 3 hrs.

GEC 06. Mathematics (3 hours)

Students complete one course:

MAT 100 - Quantitative Reasoning 3 hrs.
MAT 101 - College Algebra 3 hrs.
Higher-numbered mathematics course

ACT Requirement.

Students with an ACT mathematics subtest score of 19 or below may choose between two options: 1. MAT 101 - College Algebra with required concurrent enrollment in MAT 101S (College Algebra Support Course) or 2. MAT 100 - Quantitative Reasoning with required concurrent enrollment in MAT 100S (Quantitative Reasoning Support Course).
Students with an ACT mathematics subtest score between 20 and 23 may choose to take MAT 101 - College Algebra , MAT 100 - Quantitative Reasoning , or MAT 115 - Elementary Statistics
Students with an ACT mathematics subtest score of 24 or higher may enter MAT 102 (Brief Applied Calculus), MAT 103 (Plane Trigonometry), MAT 114 (Calculus for the Arts and Sciences), or MAT 128 (Precalculus Mathematics) directly.
Students with an ACT mathematics subtest score of 26 or higher may enter MAT 167 (Calculus I with Analytic Geometry) directly.

GEC 07. Writing-Intensive Requirement

(Prerequisite: ENG 101 and ENG 102 )

Each major specifies an upper-level GEC writing-intensive course. Majors may elect to develop a major-specific writing-intensive course within major courses or have students take an appropriate writing-intensive course. GEC writing-intensive courses are defined as those that, while focusing on a specific subject matter (with corresponding readings and discussions), encourage students to think critically and creatively, outline a subject matter or theme and produce drafts. In writing-intensive courses, students write a minimum of 5,000 words (approximately 20 pages of double-spaced typed text) in discipline-specific papers and assignments. Class enrollment is capped at 24.

GEC 08. Speaking-Intensive Requirement

Competence in oral communication requires knowledge of the goals, rules, and audience in a particular situation; motivation to perform effectively; and, the ability to make a skilled presentation. All majors in the university must include an oral communication requirement. These courses are also referred to as Speaking Intensive courses and are listed under category GEC 08 in degree plans in the University Bulletin. Departments may elect to develop a major-specific GEC 08 course within major courses or have students take an appropriate speaking intensive course. The Speaking Intensive component should enable students to acquire appropriate oral communication skills. SI courses must include at least two speaking intensive-related assignments, guidance and instruction in preparing those assignments, and a clear evaluation procedure to provide students with feedback about their work. Speaking assignments can include formal speeches, research presentations, lectures, small group presentations, debates, interviews, etc. Students should experience oral communication in ways that are germane to and will best serve them in their disciplines.

GEC 09. Capstone Requirement

Each degree plan identifies a program-specific communication-intensive GEC capstone. The capstone must be taken the senior year and must meet the written and oral communication requirements outlined below. The major utilizes the capstone as a means of assessing student achievement of the major’s student learning outcomes. To receive credit for the capstone, students must receive a grade of C or better. Class enrollment is capped at 24.

Capstone written and oral communication requirements:

The writing component of the capstone requires students to write a minimum of 5,000 words (approximately 20 pages of double-spaced typed text) in discipline-specific papers and assignments. The written communication component should teach students to focus on a specific subject matter (with corresponding readings and discussions), encourage students to think critically and creatively, outline a subject matter or theme and produce drafts.

The oral communication component of the capstone requires the successful completion of a minimum of two significant and graded speaking assignments. The oral communication component should teach rhetorical reasoning, audience adaptation, professionalism and presentation skills including clarity of expression, ideas and voice, as well as prepare students to be critical consumers of public discourse.

Alternative Credit for the General Education Curriculum

A student may receive credits for a GEC course if he or she is able to demonstrate mastery of the course material. Credit can be received for any GEC course in one of the following three ways: the student 1) completes an equivalent course with an acceptable score through the College Entrance Examinations Board’s Advanced Placement Testing Program before entering The University of Southern Mississippi; 2) passes an appropriate CLEP examination or 3) passes a challenge examination on the relevant course material. The detailed procedures and regulations regarding these three methods of obtaining up to 30 hours credit toward a degree at The University of Southern Mississippi are described in the General Academic Information section of this Bulletin.

Exemptions and Substitutions

Requests for exemption and substitutions for the requirements of the General Education Curriculum should be initiated in consultation with the student’s advisor.