Framework for General Education

*Framework for General Education at Penn State University*
ACTIVE LEARNING ELEMENTS Three or more of the following are to be integrated into courses offered in the knowledge domains: active use of writing, speaking and other forms of self-expression opportunity for information gathering, synthesis and analysis in solving problems (including the use of library, electronic/computer and other resources and quantitative reasoning and interpretation, as applicable) engagement in collaborative learning and teamwork application of intercultural and international competence dialogue pertaining to social behavior, community and scholarly conduct		Bacc. Prog.	Assoc. Prog.	FIRST YEAR SEMINAR 1cr. (min)**
	SKILLS
	Communication (Writing, Speaking)	9	3
	Quantification	6	3	INTERCULTURAL & INTERNATIONAL COMPETENCE 3 cr.**
	*Total*	15	6
	KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS (Distribution Requirement)
	Health Sciences	3
	Sciences	9	3
	Arts	6*	3	STUDY IN A FOREIGN/SECOND LANGUAGE 3 cr.***
	Humanities	6*	3
	Social & Behavioral Sciences	6*	3
	Select from A/H/S		3
	*Total*	30	15

* Baccalaureate degree candidates may develop a sequence of 9 credits in either the arts, humanities or social sciences by substituting 3 credits from one of the other two areas not in their major field of study.

** Students are advised that certain first-year seminars and courses developing intercultural and international competence may also be approved as meeting skill or domain knowledge (distribution) requirements of general education.

*** Baccalaureate degree candidates may substitute 3 credits of study in a foreign/second language at the third semester level for 3 credits in any of the other categories of general education. However, students may not combine the options identified by "*" and "***" to eliminate any area of domain knowledge entirely.

Additional Notes:

The general education curriculum is intended to help sutdents explore and integrate information beyond the specific focuses of their majors. Students whose acaemic majors are in the areas of natural sciences, arts, humanities and social and behavioral sciences may not meet the general education program components by taking courses in the department or program identical to that of the academic major.

Students are advised that the REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR of certain baccalaureate degree programs include courses that are approved for the general education curriculum. In those cases, appropriate choice of general education courses will also satisfy the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR. (However, when a course is used to satisfy more than one requirement, the credits earned in the course may be counted only once.)

In some instances, the REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR or other BACCALAUREATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (e.g., the Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements) also stipulate course work above and beyond the general education requirements in some categories.

Table of Contents...

[Report of the Special Committee on General Education, Introduction] [Report of the Special Committee on General Education] [Framework for General Education] [General Education Legislation] [Senate Discussion]

This page maintained by the University Faculty Senate (pjp4@psu.edu)
Created by Dan Nugent for
The Center for Quality and Planning,
Penn State University
Last Updated: March 30, 1998