General Education Requirements for Bachelor’s Degrees

I. Philosophy
A complex array of forces continually transforms our world. Marygrove’s general education program engages these forces, providing opportunities to examine them from different disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives. Our objective is not only to disseminate information about forces that shape our world but also to intensify our critical thinking about them.

At Marygrove, we try to make certain that all the courses you take will help you develop skills that can be put to use in your professional and personal life. The classes are designed to assist you in:

• Strengthening writing, critical thinking, oral communication, and research skills necessary for continued development.
• Understanding the responsibility of the individual toward the common good, making sound ethical judgments, and taking an active role in promoting social justice.
• Recognizing the distinctive elements and contributions of various liberal arts disciplines as well as the connections among the disciplines.
• Valuing diversity of individuals, communities, and cultures.
• Comprehending the complexity and interdependence of the modern world, including local, national, and global perspectives.

II. Curricular Emphases
Marygrove’s general education curriculum provides exposure to a wide variety of disciplines and opportunity to develop essential intellectual abilities. The general education program seeks to develop oral and written communication skills; knowledge of arts, sciences, and technology; understanding of the distinctiveness and interrelationship of all academic fields; critical thinking skills; ability to access, evaluate, and use information effectively; appreciation for the value of diversity; active promotion of the values of social justice. The general education curriculum emphasizes problem solving, decision-making, leadership, and lifelong learning.

Writing
Writing is essential. Effective writing encourages logical thinking and enables you to influence your audience. At Marygrove‚ all general education courses provide opportunities to learn and to express yourself through writing. Through composition courses and writing-intensive courses, you will demonstrate your ability to use English correctly and effectively.

Information literacy
Educated citizens and professionals must know how to access‚ evaluate, and use information. Special library instruction is available in all areas and at all levels of study to introduce new information formats and technologies. You will learn to:

• employ a broad range of information tools;
• use general, scholarly and professional information in a broad range of media;
• formulate and perform appropriate and effective information search strategies; and
• critically evaluate information sources.

Oral/visual presentation
Oral communications are an essential part of a liberal arts education. Effective communication in today’s society requires more than the acquisition of writing and oral presentation skills. Marygrove also expects students to develop skills in using visual communications technologies, and to integrate multi-faceted media tools in order to enhance presentations and connect more meaningfully with audiences.

Cultural diversity
Marygrove creates a climate for understanding and expressing your own cultural identity and for understanding‚ appreciating and valuing the cultures and traditions of others. Sensitivity‚ respect and compassion mark Marygrove’s attitude toward human cultural diversity. Your courses will prepare you to live as a responsible citizen in an interdependent global community.

Critical thinking
Through critical thinking, we adopt logical and responsible analytical skills. In your general education courses, you will be exposed to diverse and complex problem-solving and decision-making situations. By practice and peer criticism‚ you will develop intellectual standards that will serve you throughout your personal and professional life.

Social Justice
Social justice is central to Marygrove’s mission. In general education courses,
you will address complex social issues and attempt to solve social problems in creative ways. Marygrove also provides opportunities for involvement in various social justice advocacy activities. The College encourages you to develop a lasting concern for justice‚ equity‚ and the common good so that you will be an effective participant in our complex world.

Learning to learn
Marygrove regards learning as a lifelong process requiring a repertoire of attitudes and skills that encourage intellectual versatility and continued growth throughout your personal and professional life.

III. GENERAL EDUCATION COMPONENTS

Basic Educational Proficiency Requirements
Reading at College level
Coursework determined by prior academic performance and/or placement testing.

Mathematics proficiency to Math 100 or equivalent
Coursework determined by prior academic performance and/or placement testing.

Writing proficiency to ENG 108
Coursework determined by prior academic performance and/or placement testing.

Computer competency
Certified through the Student Technology Instruction Center (STIC) and verified through the major.

Oral communication
Verified through the major.

Common Experience Requirements
Liberal Arts Seminar
The first-year seminar is a required course for newly enrolled first-year students with fewer than 32 transfer credits.

Communications
ENG 312: Advanced Written and Oral Communications (3 hours) is required for all candidates for bachelor’s degrees. Prerequisites: ENG 108 and at least two courses in the student’s major. Students must complete English 312 before taking the Senior Seminar.

Writing-intensive course in major
Writing-enhanced courses in each discipline reinforce and build upon basic composition skills, providing opportunities to learn course content through writing. Students must take one writing-intensive course in the major to learn the specific stylistic expectations in each field of study. See catalog section for the particular major to determine the designated writing-intensive course.

Senior Seminar
Through the Senior Seminar experience, the director of each major program verifies that the graduate has attained oral and written communication skills consistent with College objectives. This is one of the purposes of the Senior-Year Experience. See catalog section for the particular major to determine the designated Senior Seminar course.

Area Requirements
Students will select a minimum of one 3- or 4-hour course in each of the following 9 areas. Courses must be distributed across at least seven different liberal arts disciplines and may not be counted towards credit-hour requirements for both General Education and a single discipline major.

1. Historical and Cultural Traditions (3 hours)
Explores the heritage of diverse peoples and the impact of change over time.
Courses:
AH 101 Looking at Art
AH 350 Black Art
ENG 222 Introduction to African American Literature
HIS 252 United States to 1877
HIS 253 United States Since 1877
HIS 311 History of Blacks in America to 1865
HIS 312 History of Blacks in America Since 1865
HUM 150 Contemporary Cultural Studies
HUM 257 Humanities of the Ancient World
HUM 258 Humanities of the Modern World
HUM 334 African American Aesthetics
MUS 105 Encounters With Music

2. Literature and Languages (3 hours)
Emphasizes the powers and uses of words.
Courses:
ENG 160 Introduction to Literature
FR 150 Elementary French I
SP 150 Elementary Spanish I

3. Scientific Inquiry
(laboratory science - 4 hours)
Introduces modern concepts of investigating the natural world.
Courses:
BIO 139 Principles of Biology
BIO 201 Ecology and the Environment
BIO 257 Human Anatomy and Physiology
CHM 130 Chemical Science
ENV 135 Earth Science

4. Identity and Reason (3 hours)
Examines ways of understanding thought and behavior of the individual.
Courses:
AH 355 History of Women Artists
HIS 335 Women and U.S. History
PHL 276 Critical Thinking
PSY 205 Introductory Psychology
PSY 320 Psychology of Women
SOC 311 Deviant Behavior
PHY 135 Conceptual Physics

5. Social Environment (3 hours)
Examines the dynamics of human communities and societies.
Courses:
ECN 200 Introductory Macroeconomics
ECN 202 Economic Dimensions
ECN 203 Introductory Microeconomics
IS 322 Technology Seminar
IS 324 Social Justice Seminar
IS 326C HIV/AIDS: Its Biological and Social Impact
POL/SOC 306 Ethnic and Racial Diversity
POL/SOC 307 Introduction to Ethnic and Cultural Studies
SOC 201 Sociological Perspectives
SOC 202 Social Problems

6. Religious and Philosophical Traditions (3 hours)
Explores systems of belief and the pursuit of wisdom.
Courses:
IS 326A Religion and Science
PHL 126 Persons and Values
PHL 225 Ethics
RS 226 Black Religion in the Americas
RS 227 Religion in America

7. Creative Expression (3 hours)
Examines the creative process in the context of studio or workshop experience.
Courses:
ART 105 Introductory Studio
ART 115 Drawing: Skills and Concepts
ART 187 Ceramic Experiences for the Non-Major
ART 335 Introduction to Art Therapy
DAN 150A Elementary Ballet I
DAN 170A Elementary Modern I
DAN 377 Jazz
DAN 379 Ethnic Dance
MUS 100A Class Piano I
MUS 106A Voice Class I

8. Local and National Perspectives (3 hours)
Examines public policy issues in our city, state, and nation.
Courses:
HIS 340 American Labor History
IS 320 Detroit Seminar
PHL 370 Social and Political Philosophy
POL 149 American Political Systems
POL 303 Political Reality and Public Policy
POL/SOC 385 Community and Organizational Change

9. Global Awareness (3 hours)
Investigates the world beyond our borders.
Courses:
AH 200 Wonders of World Art: Ancient to Gothic
ENG 350 World Literature
HIS 255 World History I
HIS 256 World History II
IS 326B Travel Seminar
PHL 156 World Philosophical Traditions
POL 377 Transnational Politics
RS 150 Religion in the World
HUM 330 Arab and Asian Humanities
HUM 332 Latin American Humanities
HUM 333A African Humanities I
HUM 333B African Humanities II
HUM 335 Caribbean Humanities Requirements

General Education Requirements for Associate’s Degrees
Basic Educational Proficiency Requirements

Reading at College level
Coursework determined by prior academic performance and/or placement testing

Mathematics proficiency to Math 100 or equivalent
Coursework determined by prior academic performance and/or placement testing

Writing proficiency to English 108
Coursework determined by prior academic performance and/or placement testing.

Computer competency
Certified through the Student Technology Instruction Center (STIC).

Common Experience Requirement
Liberal Arts Seminar

• The first-year seminar is a required course for newly enrolled first-year students with fewer than 32 transfer credits.

Area Requirements

• Students completing an associate’s degree in Liberal Studies will select a minimum of one 3- or 4-hour course in each of the following 9 areas. Courses must be distributed across at least seven different liberal arts disciplines.
• Students completing all other Associate’s Degrees will select a minimum of one 3- or 4-hour course in at least 6 of the 9 areas. Courses must be distributed across at least 5 different liberal arts disciplines.

Area Requirements
(see previous pages for descriptions and course listings)
1. Historical and Cultural Traditions
2. Literature and Languages
3. Scientific Inquiry (laboratory science)
4. Identity and Reason
5. Social Environment
6. Religious and Philosophical Traditions
7. Creative Expression
8. Local and National Perspectives
9. Global Awareness

last updated 8/07