08 General Education

The general education program consists of foundation courses and distribution courses. The foundation courses provide core skills and are fulfilled by a rather narrow set of required courses. The distribution courses are intended to provide students with a broader knowledge and skill base in preparation for a lifetime of career flexibility and adaptation. The distribution courses are selected by the student, drawing from a significant range of options. To fulfill the distribution requirement students will need to take 24 credit hours of coursework; at least 8 credit hours from each of 3 academic divisions. Among the 24 credits of distributions, students will take at least 1 Human Diversity [D] course, one Critical Thinking [C] course, and one Interdisciplinary [I] course. The minimum number of hours required to fulfil the college’s general education requirement is 39 credits.

A. Oral Communication:

Student Learning Outcome: Students should be able to deliver messages appropriate to their audience, purpose, and context.

Performance Indicators – Students should be able to:

1. Perform verbal communication behaviors that illustrate the competency of an effective communicator.
2. Perform nonverbal communication behaviors that illustrate the competency of an effective communicator.
3.  Support their ideas appropriately.

Required: 1 Course
CM 130 Interpersonal Communication  3 credits
CM 140 Public Speaking  3 credits
CM 218 Business and Professional Communication  3 credits

B. Written Communication

Student Learning Outcome for Written Communication: Students should be able to write with skill and clarity.

Performance Indicators – Students should be able to:

1. Produce writing that shows an awareness of audience.
2. Support their ideas with appropriate details and examples.
3. Coherently organize their writing.
4. Produce writing that shows careful attention to craft.

Required: 4 Courses
EN 110 College Composition I   3 credits and
EN 111 College Composition II  3 credits

C. Mathematical Reasoning

Student Learning Outcome: Students will be able to identify, reason about, solve, and communicate mathematical problems from a wide array of contexts.

Performance Indicators – Students should be able to:

1. 1. Convert relevant information into various mathematical forms (e.g. equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, words).
   2. Make judgements and draw appropriate conclusions based on the quantitative analysis of data, while recognizing the limits of this analysis.
   3. Inductively draw independently justifiable, logical and mathematical conclusions from mathematical models and formulae.
   4. Interpret mathematical problems and their solutions in language that is appropriate for the intended audience.

Required: 3-4 hours chosen from the following:
MA 105 College Algebra  3 credits
MA 106 Pre-Calculus  4 credits
MA 111 Calculus I  4 credits
MA 153 Principles of Geometry  3 credits
MA 201 Survey of Mathematics  3 credits
BA 220 Business Applied Statistics  4 credits
MA 221 Elementary Applied Statistics  4 credits

Seminars at McPherson College:

The seminar system is designed to orient and educate students for success in the college environment, and to help them transition into McPherson College. Students will develop the academic, social, and personal skills necessary for a successful transition to college life and beyond.

In the First Year Seminar, ID101, students will:

• Become familiar with the resources available to them at McPherson College.
• Explore opportunities in majors and make a plan on how to achieve their academic goals while at McPherson College.
• Develop skills to thrive in a collegiate academic environment, including study skills, time management, and professionalism.

Career exploration and development is a key component of McPherson College’s mission. As a component of students’ time at McPherson College, a course exploring the possibilities of career and calling will help students to develop their professional lives in a way that is informed by core values and experience. Upon completion of this single-course requirement, students will:

• Explore the purpose of their major in their development of career, vocation, calling or purpose in life, and identify goals for their lives after graduation.
• Compose and maintain a professional cover letter, resume, or other material necessary in professional applications.

The following courses meet this requirement:

ID201 Sophomore Seminar (Career Exploration) 1 credit
TE200 Automotive Restoration Career Exploration 2 credits

Students will complete at least one general education course in each of 3 topic areas: Human Diversity [D], Critical Thinking [C], and Interdisciplinary Thinking [I].

Students will complete at least 8 credit hours in each of 3 academic divisions: 1) Social Sciences, 2) Humanities, and 3) Natural Sciences and Technology.

TOPIC AREAS

Human Diversity [D]:

Required: 1 course

Student Learning Outcomes for Human Diversity: Students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of diverse human perspectives.

Performance Indicators – Students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse human experiences within the human experience
2. Understand implications of diverse human experiences and perspectives.

Critical Thinking [C]:

Required: 1 course

Student Learning Outcomes for Critical Thinking: Students will analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, or points of view.

Performance Indicators – Students should be able to:

1. Analyze an argument, problem, presentation, or point of view.
2. Evaluate an argument, problem, presentation, or point of view.

Interdisciplinary Thinking [I]:

Required: 1 course

Student Learning Outcomes for Interdisciplinary Thinking : Students will integrate knowledge and understanding of from two or more academic fields.

Performance Indicators – Students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of connections across disciplines.
2. Demonstrate understanding of how skills, abilities, or theories from one field may be applied to a problem in a different discipline

3 ACADEMIC DIVISIONS

1)    Social Science Division:

Required: 8 hours total

Human Diversity
BA 345  International Business  [D]   3 credits
CI 333  Intercultural Education  [D]   2 credits
PS 102  U.S. Government  [D]   3 credits
SE 210  Intro to Infants, Children, and Youth with Special Needs  [D]   3 credits
SO 101  Introduction to Sociology  [D]   3 credits
SO 202  Minorities in Society  [D]   3 credits
SO 246  Marriage and Family  [D]   3 credits
SO 260  Intro to Human Services  [D]   3 credits
SO 415  Gender and Society  [D]   3 credits

Critical Thinking
EE 210  Children’s Literature  [C]  3 credits
BA 230  Personal Finance  [C]  3 credits
BA 475  Business Strategy and Policy  [C]  3 credits
CI 150  Introduction to Education  [C]  3 credits
HS 190  Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health  [C]  3 credits
PY 101  Introduction to Psychology  [C]  3 credits
SO 101  Introduction to Sociology  [C]  3 credits
SO 415  Gender and Society  [C]  3 credits

Interdisciplinary
CM 120  Intro to Human Communication  [I]  3  credits
HI 110  World Civilization to 1500  [I]  3  credits
HI 120  World Civilization since 1500  [I]  3  credits
HI 130  Introductory Methods for Historical Analysis: Witch Trials  [I]  3  credits
HI 140  American History to 1877  [I]  3  credits
HI 150  American History since 1877  [I]  3  credits
HI 236  Topics in Social History  [I]  3  credits
HI 237  Topics in Political History  [I]  3  credits
HI 261  Kansas History  [I]  3  credits
HS 190  Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health  [I]  3  credits
PE 150  Concepts in Holistic Health  [I]  3  credits
PS 130  Principles of Geography  [I]  3  credits
SO 415  Gender and Society  [I]  3  credits

2)    Humanities Division:

Required: 8 hours total

Human Diversity
CM 125 Good Trouble: An Introduction to Social Justice & Advocacy [D] 3 credits
CM 221 Intercultural Communication[D] 3 credits
CM 240 Gender Communication[D] 3 credits
CM 320 Being Human: Developing Empathy and Resilience [D] 3 credits
EN 210 Masterpieces of World Literature [D] 3 credits
EN 220 Contemporary World Literature [D] 3 credits
EN 222 Native American Literature [D] 3 credits
EN 225 African-American Literature [D] 3 credits
EN 235 Latinx-American Literature [D] 3 credits
EN 235 Topics in Literature: Queer Literature [D] 3 credits
EN 250 American Literature I [D] 3 credits
EN 255 American Literature II [D] 3 credits
EN 270 Fiction [D] 3 credits
ML 108 Spanish I [D] 3 credits
ML 109 Spanish II [D] 3 credits
ML 208 Spanish III [D] 3 credits
ML 209 Spanish IV [D] 3 credits
MU 132 College Choir [D] 1 credit
MU 161 Music Appreciation [D] 3 credits
MU 210 Introduction to World Music [D] 3 credits
PR 106 Spiritual Pathways [D] 3 credits
PR 202 Christian Traditions [D] 3 credits
PR 306 World Religions [D] 3 credits

Critical Thinking
AR 101 Drawing I [C] 2 credits
AR 102 Painting I [C] 3 credits
AR 103 Elementary Design [C] 3 credits
AR 131 Ceramics I [C] 3 credits
AR 202 Painting II [C] 2 credits
AR 220 Graphic Design for Non-Art Majors [C] 3 credits
AR 231 Ceramics II [C] 2 credits
AR 315 Metalsmithing/Jewelry Making [C] 3 credits
AR 350 Sculpture I [C] 3 credits
CM 320 Being Human: Developing Empathy and Resilience [C] 3 credits
CM 330 Persuasion and Social Influence [C] 3 credits
EE 210 Children’s Literature [C] 3 credits
EN 210 Masterpieces of World Literature [C] 3 credits
EN 220 Contemporary World Literature [C] 3 credits
EN 222 Native American Literature [C] 3 credits
EN 225 African-American Literature [C] 3 credits
EN 235 Latinx-American Literature [C] 3 credits
EN 235 Topics in Literature: Queer Literature [C] 3 credits
EN 250 American Literature I [C] 3 credits
EN 255 American Literature II [C] 3 credits
EN 270 Fiction [C] 3 credits
EN 370 Poetry [C] 3 credits
PR 104 Ethics [C] 3 credits
PR 107 Critical Thinking [C] 3 credits
PR 201 Introduction to Philosophy [C] 3 credits
PR 350 Philosophy of Religion [C] 3 credits
PR 360 Modern Logic [C] 3 credits

Interdisciplinary
AR 101 Drawing I [I] 2 credits
AR 102 Painting I [I] 3 credits
AR 131 Ceramics I [I] 3 credits
AR 202 Painting II [I] 2 credits
AR 231 Ceramics II [I] 2 credits
AR 310 Art History I [I] 4 credits
AR 311 Art History II [I] 4 credits
AR 350 Sculpture I [I] 3 credits
CM 120 Intro to Human Communication [I] 3 credits
CM125 Good Trouble: An Introduction to Social Justice & Advocacy [I] 3 credits
CM 220 Special Topics in Pop Culture [I] 3 credits
CM320 Being Human: Developing Empathy and Resilience [I] 3 credits
MU 134 College Band [I] 1 credit
MU 136 Music Theory I [I] 3 credits
MU 236 Music Theory II [I] 3 credits
PR 101 God and People in Ancient Israel: Hebrew Bible Foundations [I] 3 credits
PR 102 Jesus: New Testament Foundations [I] 3 credits
PR 203 Science and Religion [I] 3 credits
PR 204 Peacemaking: Religious Perspectives [I] 3 credits
PR 215 History of Philosophy [I] 3 credits
PR 302 Religion and Politics [I] 3 credits
PR 310 Religion and Law [I] 3 credits

3)    Natural Science and Technology Division:

Required: 8 hours total

Human Diversity
NS 230 Travel Experience: Environmental Issues of Borneo [H] 4 credits

Critical Thinking
BI 101 Principles of Biology [C] 4 credits
BI 111 College Biology [C] 4 credits
BI 201 Biodiversity [C] 4 credits
CH 101 Principles of Chemistry [C] 3.0-4.0 credits
CH 105 Chemistry for Life [C] 4 credits
CH 111 College Chemistry [C] 5 credits
MA 123 Discrete Math [C] 3 credits
MA 311 Introduction to Analysis [C] 4 credits
NS 141 Environmental Science [C] 4 credits
PC 275 Astronomy [C] 4 credits

Interdisciplinary
BI 103 Lifestyle Medicine Healthy Habits [I] 3 credits
BI 111 College Biology I [I] 4 credits
CH 101 Principles of Chemistry [I] 3-4 credits
CH 105 Chemistry for Life [I] 4 credits
NS 106 Sensational! The Physics, Chemistry and Biology of the Senses [I] 3 credits
NS 141 Environmental Science [I] 4 credits
NS245 Climatology [I] 3 credits
PC251 Geology [I] 3 credits