| Back | Next | Academic Policies Listing | Catalog Table of Contents | Index |

USF 1997-98 Undergraduate Catalog - Pages 43 - 46

General Education Policy

(Part of the Liberal Arts Requirements)

GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS

(36 Semester Hours)

English Composition: This requirement consists of a minimum of six (6) semester hours of approved course work in English Composition. Students may satisfy this requirement during the second semester freshman level of composition in the following ways: by earning a letter grade of "C" or better at USF or another institution, by obtaining a sufficient score on the CLEP Freshman English test, or by receiving AP English credit. With the exception of the CLEP test, these courses will also allow students to meet a portion of their State of Florida rule 6A-10.30 Gordon Rule requirements. To satisfy the Gordon Rule, students must earn a letter grade of "C" or better in these courses.

Quantitative Methods: Competence in a minimum of six (6) semester hours of approved mathematics coursework at the level of college algebra or higher is required. These courses should include both a practical component, providing students with an appreciation of how course content relates to their everyday experiences; and a historical component, providing students wih an understanding of the application of the material to other disciplines. At least three (3) semester hours must be taken in a mathematics department. The remaining hours may be taken in any approved mathematics, statistics, or logic courses that include both a practical and historical component as previously described.

Natural Sciences: Students should successfully complete a minimum of six (6) semester hours of approved coursework in the natural sciences. Students are encouraged to enroll in courses with a laboratory component. It is a goal that all students have at least one science course with a laboratory; however, facilities and personnel resources prohibit that requirement at this time. Courses may be interdisciplinary. The courses may deal with the content, theories, history, presuppositions, and methods of the discipline. They will include demonstrations and address problems, ambiguities, and different perspectives in the discipline. They will also provide students with an appreciation of how the discipline fits within the natural sciences and relates to their own lives and the broader human experience.

Social Sciences: Students must successfully complete a minimum of six (6) semester hours of approved coursework in the social sciences; the courses may be interdisciplinary and need not be sequential. Courses in the social sciences shall involve those disciplines considered to be social sciences in that they deal theoretically and empirically with individuals and their relationships to each other and to society. Courses must deal with the content, theories, history, presuppositions, and methods of the discipline. They should also address problems, ambiguities, and different perspectives in the discipline. These courses will provide students with an appreciation of how the discipline fits within the social sciences and relates to their own lives and the broader human experience.

Historical Perspectives: A minimum of six (6) semester hours of approved coursework in artistic, cultural, economic, intellectual, religious, social, and/or political history is required. At least three (3) semester hours will be in the history of Western Civilization. Courses are not limited to those in the discipline of history; however, the courses will have a historical perspective in that they provide students with a sense of the evolution of societies and peoples, including analysis of their history. A sense of chronology is necessary in these courses, but not sufficient. A historical perspective also entails analyses of various elements, such as the intellectual, cultural, artistic, economic, social, political, and religious characteristics of societies and peoples.

Fine Arts: Students are required to successfully complete a minimum of three (3) semester hours of approved coursework in the fine arts. Courses in the fine arts shall involve those disciplines considered to be fine arts in that they deal theoretically and experientially with the aesthetic dimensions of individuals and groups. Courses will concern the creative experience that takes into account the perspectives of both the artist and the public. They may be interdisciplinary and must involve the content, theories, history, presuppositions, and methods of the fine arts. They will address problems, ambiguities, and different perspectives in the disciplines of fine arts. These courses will also provide students with an appreciation of how the disciplines fit within fine arts and relate to their everyday experiences.

African, Latin American, Middle Eastern, or Asian Perspectives: Students will take a minimum of three (3) semester hours of approved coursework in one of the above listed geographical areas. Course content may include social, political, and economic as well as artistic, cultural, and intellectual subject matter. The material will be presented within a geographical, chronological, and/or humanities background and will necessarily be selective.

All courses listed are certified as meeting the General Education requirement as of April, 1997. Additional courses may have been certified since that date. Please consult with an academic advisor for current and additional information.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

ENGLISH COMPOSITION

QUANTITATIVE METHODS

NATURAL SCIENCES

SOCIAL SCIENCES

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES

FINE ARTS

ALAMEA PERSPECTIVES

Liberal Arts Requirements (Full Text)

| Top | Back | Next | Academic Policies Listing | Catalog Table of Contents | Index |

Send comments to:
Karen M. Hall - webCat@ugs.usf.edu
Effective Date: Semester I, 1997

http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/9798/lagened.htm