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University Undergraduate Catalog 2013-2015 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
General Education Curriculum
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Dr. Carlton Wilson, Director
Telephone: (919) 530-6794
Fax: (919) 530-6790
Main Office: 115 Farrison-Newton Communications Building
North Carolina Central University’s General Education Curriculum prepares students academically and professionally for leadership in a culturally-diverse world. Emphasis is placed upon oral and written communications, scientific inquiry, technology proficiency, ethics, and critical thinking. The General Education Curriculum offers students instruction in interdisciplinary as well as subject specific courses, is designed to meet the needs of the University’s diverse student population, and is an integral part of each student’s academic experience. In the appropriate areas, students may be enrolled in courses depending upon their demonstrated skill level. In addition, students may challenge courses and receive advanced placement.
The General Education Curriculum permits students to select courses depending upon their majors or interests. In some instances, courses may satisfy both the general education and the degree major requirements. The General Education Curriculum complies with all Community College Transfer Agreements and credit for individual courses will readily transfer to any four-year institution.
The General Education Curriculum has six academic components: (1) Communications in English and Foreign Languages, (2) Mathematics and the Sciences, (3) Social Sciences, (4) Arts and Humanities, (5) Health and Wellness, and (6) Social and Career Enhancement and Development. Technology and computer proficiency and ethics are integrated throughout the Curriculum. The Curriculum is characterized by four unifying themes: (1) Communications, (2) Global Awareness, (3) Critical and Analytical Thinking, and (4) Professional Development.
The number of credit hours in the General Education Curriculum (38-43) makes it possible for students to double major, minor in one or more disciplines, or take a variety of electives that will enhance their professional aspirations. The General Education Curriculum is integral to each student’s learning experience. Along with the degree major program, the Curriculum affords each student the opportunity to design the best career options that a university can offer. North Carolina Central University’s faculty and staff will work together to ensure that all students are placed into the proper General Education Curriculum courses or are given credit for the appropriate courses.
General Education Curriculum Goals
To provide opportunities for students to further develop skills necessary to succeed in academic, professional, and social environments while facilitating lifelong learning and teamwork.
To develop students’ ability to master fundamental methods of scientific inquiry.
To develop sufficient knowledge relating to diverse cultures and the human experience within this global society.
To provide an opportunity for students to become culturally aware of their heritage and traditions.
To develop students’ critical thinking and analytical skills for the globally competitive, technologically-based socio-economy of the twenty-first century.
To accommodate a seamless transition for students from Community Colleges and adherence with the University of North Carolina North Carolina Community Colleges System (UNC-NCCCS).
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General Education Curriculum Requirements
I. Communications in English and Foreign Languages (9 Credit Hours)
Students will continue to develop skills and competencies in written expression in English. In addition, students should be able to communicate in and understand a second language. A. English: Two courses are required. (6 credit hours)
Based upon earned AP credit, students may be exempt from ENG 1110 . Academic advisors may suggest that these students complete literature courses. Based upon placement scores, students may be required to take EDU 1000 – Reading Laboratory. B. Foreign Language: One Level III course of a foreign language is required. (3 Credit Hours)
(Collaboration with NCSU, UNC, and Duke) (3)
First-year students are required to take a placement examination in the desired foreign language. Students who place into Level III must take the Level III course to meet the language requirement. Students who place into Level I must complete the Level I course, a Level II course and finally the Level III course. Students who place into Level II must complete Level II and Level III courses. A student who places beyond Level III will have met the language requirement for the University and no further course work will be required. II. Mathematics and Science (12-16 Credit Hours)
Students will continue to develop skills in the application of qualitative and quantitative methods of mathematics and the natural sciences.
A. Mathematics: Two of these courses (or a higher level of mathematics) are required (6-8 credit hours)
Based upon placement scores, students may be required to complete MATH 1000 (Intermediate College Algebra) with a grade of >C= or better before continuing in the General Education Mathematics and Science requirements. Students who place into MATH 1000 may receive elective credit for completing the course.
Mathematics: Two of these courses (6-8 Credit Hours)
Higher level of Mathematics or Statistics offered by the Mathematics Department and approved by advisor.
B. Sciences: Two of these courses are required. (6-8 Credit Hours)
III. Social Sciences (6 Credit Hours)
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the major historical and social developments that define world cultures and the interrelationships of anthropological and geographical influences. A. Social Sciences: Required (3 Credit Hours)
B. Social Sciences: One of these courses is required. (3 Credit Hours)
IV. Arts and Humanities (5-6 Credit Hours)
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the aesthetical, historical, cultural and social foundations of literature, performing and visual arts, philosophy, and/or religion. Emphasis will be placed on the links among the arts and humanities.
A. Arts and Humanities: One of these courses is required. (3 Credit Hours)
B. Arts and Humanities: One of these courses is required. (2-3 Credit Hours)
V. Health and Wellness (4 Credit Hours)
Students will demonstrate an understanding of personal, mental, and physical health issues that reflect contemporary trends locally, nationally, and internationally.
A. Health: Required (2 Credit Hours)
B. Wellness: Required (2 Credit Hours)
VI. Social and Career Enhancement/Development (2 Credit Hours)
Students will enhance factors related to positive personal, social, and career development. Emphasis will be placed on basic technology and computer literacy, ethics and values, leadership roles, and social issues and responsibilities.
VII. Technology - Computer Proficiency
Entering students are expected to have basic computer skills related to using the Internet, word processing, and email. By the end of the first year, students should be able to use the appropriate technology to research, analyze, and present information. These skills will be especially developed in the English Composition, Mathematics and Science, Social Science, and Dimensions of Learning courses. Students will continue to develop and use more advanced computer and technology skills in their departments and majors.
VIII. Ethics
Through Dimensions of Learning, Social Science, Philosophy, and Arts and Humanities courses, students will encounter and examine important topics that will require analysis of ethical issues and behavior. In the major or minor programs, students will continue to study the ethics related to a specific discipline.
Intensive Courses
In addition to completing the above requirements, students must complete a designated “writing-intensive” course and a “speaking-intensive” course. In the writing-intensive course, students will demonstrate their knowledge of the course’s subject matter through constructive critical writing and the production of effective written assignments relative to the field. These courses engage students in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly research in disciplines across the curriculum. Writing-intensive courses require regular practice in and evaluation of writing through brief response papers, mid-length papers, and longer research projects. Assignments may include review essays, argumentative essays, critical essays, lab reports, research articles, policy memos, documented papers, personal responses to readings, business correspondence, and other types of writing required by the discipline.
It is strongly recommended that students complete MSCM 1250 (Elements of Speech) or MSCM 2200 (Public Speaking) to satisfy the speaking requirement. Students may complete a course in another subject where they will receive instruction in oral communication and will have opportunities to further develop and practice oral communications skills. In most speaking-intensive courses, speaking is a part of the course methodology, not the subject matter of the course. Speaking-intensive courses may employ some combination of debates, oral exams, structured class discussions, oral presentations, panel discussions, or other methods that use speaking elements in the teaching and learning processes. Writing-intensive and speaking-intensive courses may be listed in the General Education Curriculum, in the major, or as an elective. These courses are identified in the semester schedule of courses by the marker “WI” and “SI.”
General Education Curriculum requirements may also meet the requirements for the major, a minor, or a concentration. Courses that satisfy the General Education Curriculum and major requirements may meet the writing-intensive and speaking-intensive requirements if the courses are designated “WI” or “SI” in the semester course schedule. Therefore, the writing-intensive and speaking-intensive requirements may be completed within the General Education Curriculum or in the major.
Students who transfer to NCCU with the Associate Degree from North Carolina Community Colleges are not required to complete the writing-intensive and speaking-intensive courses unless the courses are part of the major, a minor, or concentration.
Academic Policies Related to the General Education Curriculum
Policy One:
The four-year curriculum plan for each degree program as published in the NCCU course catalog will conform to the following standards:
1. The curriculum plan for the first year of study will include a minimum of 25 credit hours that directly fulfill unique individual requirements of the General Education Curriculum (GEC) as published in the University Bulletin or catalog.
2. In curriculum plans in which students take several major courses during the first year, the published curriculum plan will include the following statement as a footnote on the curriculum plan page:
Many courses listed in the first year of this plan are specific to this degree program and may not fulfill degree requirements for other programs at the University. Students are advised that changing their program of study from this major to another major, after the first year, can extend the time until graduation by a semester or more.
Policy Two:
All persons - academic advisors, faculty, department chairs, and deans - responsible for advising freshmen undeclared majors will utilize the one-year curriculum plan for freshmen undeclared majors beginning with Fall 2008 freshman registration. See Two-Year Plan for Students Who Have Not Declared a Major under University College section.
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