Lakeland College

General Studies Requirements

The General Studies Division administers those parts of the Lakeland curriculum that are required of all graduates. These common courses and requirements reflect the liberal arts mission and expectations of the institution, and as such, build the foundation of every Lakeland student's education. Together, these requirements produce graduates who are able to communicate clearly, reason intelligently, and respond knowingly to issues and questions within and outside of their disciplines.

To accomplish these goals, the General Studies Division offers two types of coursework:

Skill-building / Practitioner courses:

Lakeland is committed to a philosophy of education that puts students' knowledge into practice through courses and experiential opportunities that build students' academic, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. Courses in this cluster require students to become practitioners in writing, reading, mathematics, science, and aesthetic production.

Knowledge-building / Awareness courses:

Lakeland produces graduates who are informed citizens. Courses in this cluster are designed to develop knowledge and improve awareness of American culture, global concerns, ethical citizenship, human behavior, and spirituality through disciplinary and interdisciplinary thinking.

In selecting courses to fulfill their General Studies requirements, students may not take more than one course under any departmental designation. Students seeking teacher certification will note that there are requirements in many sections unique to education majors.

I. SKILLS / PRACTITIONER COURSES:

A. Basic Skills (0-6 semester hours):

The Basic Skills curriculum ensures that all Lakeland graduates have college-level proficiency in writing, reading, and mathematics and develops base-level skills that will be required of all students in subsequent coursework. The criteria for demonstrating proficiency in each of the Basic Skills areas are specified below. (Note: No more than six semester hours of developmental Basic Skills courses-GEN 095 Foundations of English, GEN 100 College Writing Workshop, GEN 101 Reading Workshop, and GEN 102 Mathematics Workshop, GEN105 Learning Skills Development-may be applied toward the completion of a Lakeland degree. All courses, however, may be applied to classification for full-or part-time student status.)

1. Writing: Proficiency in basic writing must be demonstrated by passing GEN 100 College Writing Workshop or by placement on the Lakeland Writing Placement Exam administered during Lakeland's Special Early Enrollment Days (SEED)
• GEN 100 College Writing Workshop
2. Reading: Placement in GEN 101 Reading Workshop for new students will be determined by review of college entrance examination scores and, where appropriate, grade-level scores on a nationally normed reading test administered during Lakeland's Special Early Enrollment Days (SEED).
• GEN 101 Reading Workshop
3. Mathematics: Proficiency in basic mathematics must be demonstrated by scoring higher than the 40th percentile on the mathematics portion of either the ACT or SAT college entrance exams, or by passing the Lakeland math skills course (GEN 102 Mathematics Workshop), or by passing the Lakeland Math Skills Equivalency Exam administered during Lakeland's Special Early Enrollment Days (SEED).
• GEN 102 Mathematics Workshop

B. Rhetorical Development:

Written communication is playing an increasingly important role in contemporary culture. Whether in the form of emails, business reports, or professional publications, college graduates are expected to have the skills to communicate clearly, coherently, and concisely in written form. Lakeland is committed to producing graduates with quality communication skills and requires the following courses in order to foster general, as well as disciplinary-specific, proficiency in writing.

1. College Writing Courses (0-6 semester hours): Lakeland students must take two courses designed to develop college-level writing skills. Proficiency in writing must be demonstrated by passing GS 112 Persuasive Writing or by passing the Writing Proficiency Examination administered during Student Early Enrollment Days (SEED).
• GEN 110 Expository Writing
• GEN 112 Persuasive Writing
2. Writing-Intensive Courses (6 semester hours): Students must also take two Writing-Intensive courses. Such courses are designed to build on the skills developed in the College Writing Courses by asking students to learn discipline-specific writing skills that are relevant to their major or field of study. At least one of these courses must be designated by the student's major.

C. Quantitative Analysis (3 semester hours):

Lakeland also expects its students to demonstrate advanced competency in mathematics or quantitative problem-solving. Courses fulfilling the Quantitative Analysis requirement focus on the symbolic representation of mathematics and logic.
One of the following (Note: Education majors must select MAT 162, MAT 210, MAT 230, MAT 231, or MAT 250.):

• CPS 200 Introduction to Computer Programming
• MAT 162 Pre-Calculus
• MAT 210 Math for Teachers
• MAT 220 Probability and Statistics
• MAT 230 Business Calculus
• MAT 231 Calculus I
• MAT 250 Discrete Math
• PHI 110 Logic

Students who demonstrate college-level mathematics proficiency through CLEP testing, advanced placement coursework, appropriate ACT scores, or standardized Advanced Placement testing will be exempted from the mathematics requirement.

D. Scientific Experience (4 semester hours):

Lakeland expects its graduates to have an understanding of our physical and biological environments and to have explored these environments by means of the scientific method. Courses satisfying the Scientific Experience requirement place students in the laboratory to learn about the world through scientific techniques. All courses have an attached 1-semester hour laboratory component.
One of the following (Note: Education majors must select two courses, one from each category.):
Biological Sciences

• BIO 100 Introduction to Biology
• BIO 101 Environmental Science
• BIO 111 Life Sciences I
• Physical Sciences
• CHM 100 Everyday Chemistry
• CHM 131 Chemistry Principles I
• PHY 100 The Physical World Around Us
• PHY 251 Physics I

E. Artistic Experience (3 semester hours):

Lakeland expects its students to develop an appreciation and understanding of the ways that art, literature, theatre, and music enrich life and foster self-expression. Courses that fulfill the Artistic Experience requirement introduce students to artistic expression through performance and/or production in visual, written, instrumental, or vocal modes.
One of the following, or a combination of several, to reach a minimum of three semester hours (Note: Education students may not select ART 250 or ART 302.):

• ART 101 Drawing I
• ART 151 Two-Dimensional Design
• ART 152 Three-Dimensional Design
• ART 222 Ceramic Arts
• ART 250 Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop
• ART 261 Art History
• ART 302 Communication Graphics
• ART 312 Art Teaching Techniques (2 semester hours)
• ART 388 Black & White Photography
• WRT 215 Fiction Writing
• WRT 320 Poetry Writing
• MUS 120 Music History & Appreciation
• MUS 225 Wind Ensemble (1 semester hours)
• MUS 226 Symphony Orchestra (1 semester hours)
• MUS 235 Concert Choir (1 semester hours)
• MUS 236 Frauenchor (1 semester hours)
• MUS 317 Music Teaching Techniques (2 semester hours)
• THE 117 Oral Interpretation of Literature
• THE 119 Acting
• 3 semester hours of music lessons

 

II. AWARENESS / EMPHASIS COURSES:

A. American Studies (3 semester hours):

Lakeland expects its students to graduate with a heightened awareness of the issues and concepts that define and describe American culture. Courses fulfilling the American Studies requirement focus on the societal and cultural dynamics of the United States, whether in literary, sociological, political, or historical form.
One of the following (Note: Education majors must select two courses: HIS 201 or HIS 202 and POL 221 or POL 222.):

• CRJ 140 Introduction to Criminal Justice
• ENG 220 Introduction to American Literature
• ENG 225 Multicultural American Literature
• HIS 201 U. S. History I
• HIS 202 U. S. History II
• POL 221 American Government I
• POL 222 American Government II
• SOC 210 Human Relations

B. Cross-Cultural Studies (3 semester hours):

As articulated in the campus compact, Lakeland is a global community, and the curriculum develops international knowledge and intercultural sensitivity through the Cross-Cultural Studies requirement. Courses satisfying this requirement focus on non-U.S. cultures and languages with substantial attention to current topics.
One of the following (Note: Early Childhood Education majors and Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence Education majors should take HIS 102. Early Adolescence through Adolescence Education majors should choose HIS 102, HIS 211, HIS 232, or HIS 242.):

• BUS 284 Principles of International Business
• ENG 123 London Theatre Trip
• ENG 200 World Literature
• HIS 102 World History II
• HIS 211 History of Asia
• HIS 221 History of Europe
• HIS 232 History of Africa
• HIS 242 History of Latin America
• SOC 110 Introduction to Anthropology
• One college-level foreign language course
  Requirement waived for international students with appropriate TOEFL scores or who have completed Lakeland College's English Language Institute.

C. Societal Studies (3 semester hours):

Lakeland seeks to produce graduates who are aware of the dynamics that shape the interactions between individuals and societies. Courses fulfilling the Societal Studies requirement cover theories of individual and social human behavior and/or methods of social observation and analysis.
One of the following (Note: All Education majors must select EDU 230. Early Childhood and Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence Education majors must also take SOC 223.):

• ECN 220 Principles of Macroeconomics
• EDU 230 Educational Psychology
• PSY 200 General Psychology
• PHI 232 Ethics
• POL 350 Political Theory
• SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
• SOC 223 Cultural Anthropology

D. Spiritual Studies (3 semester hours):

As a covenantal community, Lakeland is committed to providing an environment in which students may study the role of spirituality in human life. Courses satisfying the Spiritual Studies requirement focus on the human understanding of God and the relationship between the divine and the human.
One of the following:

• REL 111 Old Testament Theology
• REL 122 New Testament Theology
• REL 132 Religion in America
• REL 220 Introduction to Christianity
• REL 230 Christian Faith & Contemporary Culture
• REL 231 Eastern Religious Traditions
• REL 232 Western Religious Traditions
• REL 491 Idea of God

E. Interdisciplinary Studies (9 semester hours):

The Lakeland Core sequence is a series of three General Studies courses designed to

• teach and develop methods of critical thinking;
• encourage thoughtful interaction among students and their teachers;
• integrate the various disciplinary points of view; and
• examine personal, social, and civic values.

Core courses are small, seminar-style, discussion courses that are built around a common issue and/or class theme. Unlike courses housed within academic departments, which explore an issue from a specific disciplinary or methodological approach, Core courses are interdisciplinary, including readings and discussions that are informed by the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities. Throughout the Core courses, students hone their critical thinking skills through oral and written communication skills, while also developing an understanding of the ways current events reflect and have been shaped by timeless questions. All students entering as freshmen must take one course from each of the following categories:

CORE I: Knowing the Self (3 semester hours-Freshman level)

The first level of the General Studies Core uses the theme of self-discovery to integrate the course's critical-thinking and skill-building goals. The course will encourage students to wrestle with questions of identity, frame of reference, and life goals. Students will be introduced to the academic disciplines through readings, discussions, and activities that pertain to the development of a self-concept. They also begin working on the skills they will need to develop in their college careers as a means to the larger goal of developing a sense of personhood and identity. Emphasis will be placed on developing analytical skills in written and oral form, in both informal and formal formats. By the end of the course, students should be able to

• Read/listen for point of view and summarize the perspective of another
• Summarize and describe a personal point of view, in both oral and written form
• Demonstrate tolerance and respect for the ideas and perspectives of others
• Articulate and defend a point of view in classroom discussion
• Use analysis of frame of reference to develop reaction and reflection papers

Open to students of freshman standing. One of the following:

• GEN 130 CORE I
• GEN 190 CORE I: Honors Section

CORE II: Exploring the Human Condition (3 semester hours-Junior level)

Courses at this level examine the central questions of the human condition, using classic and contemporary texts to compare answers to these questions across time periods and cultures. Using the insight about the self gained from Core I, students in Core II begin to see themselves as part of the larger drama of humanity, noting how contemporary questions have been addressed and readdressed throughout time and place and discussing how their individual frames of reference shape their own answers to these questions. Students develop understanding of how such issues have been handled by the different disciplines and will begin to conduct more sophisticated comparisons of points-of-view through formal presentations, analyses, oral debate, and participation. By the end of the course, students should be able to

• Analyze and synthesize main ideas of readings and discussions
• Compare and contrast points-of-view, both orally and in writing
• Differentiate between fact and interpretation
• Understand and articulate an idea from more than one disciplinary perspective
• Use written and oral communication skills to reach conclusions based on evidence

Open to students with junior standing. One of the following:

• GEN 311 CORE II: Ideas of Human Nature
• GEN 312 CORE II: Gender Studies
• GEN 355 CORE II: Science, Non-Science, Pseudoscience

CORE III: Shaping the Future (3 semester hours-Senior level)

The final level of the Core asks students to apply their understanding of individuals and the human condition to a contemporary societal problem. If Core I looks at the present and Core II builds on resources from the past, then Core III looks to the future, helping the student discover the utility of individual civic action. Emphasizing cross-disciplinary perspectives and cross-cultural analysis, Core III uses current events as a springboard for discussion on the future costs and benefits of particular policies, decisions, and choices. Given the writing-intensive designation of this course, the main assessment and critical thinking tool will be a fully researched proposal or plan of action, but formal presentations and classroom discussion will further hone students' oral skills. Students will also be asked to gain some hands-on experience in the area of discussion by participating in and reporting on a service learning experience in the community. This fits with the "Student as Practitioner" focus and incorporates earlier ideas about individual actions within one's immediate community. By the end of the course, students should be able to

• Demonstrate mastery of Core I and II skills
• Deliver formal group and individual presentations with classmate(s)
• Engage with the topical issue through service in the local community
• Identify and distinguish between various ethical strategies for addressing the issue
• Use research to analyze and evaluate multiple solutions to the topical issue

Open to students with senior standing. One of the following:

• GEN 442 CORE III: Current Issues in Health and Disease
• GEN 443 CORE III: Environment: Consumption
• GEN 445 CORE III: Global Conflict and Cooperation