Dickinson State University • • • General Education Curriculum

I. INSTITUTIONAL ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

FRESHMAN SEMINAR COURSE CLASS
(ASC 100 = Freshman Seminar - 1 credit)

Who is required to take this course?
This course is required for all incoming freshman (including transfer students) with 23 hours or less who have not completed an equivalent course at another institution.

When must this course betaken?
This course must be taken during the first semester of the freshman year at Dickinson State University unless the student is a mid-year transfer, then the course will be taken during the second semester of the freshman year.

What is the purpose of this course?
1.         The skills and knowledge imparted through this course will help students survive the freshman year successfully and provide a firm foundation for their future academic career.
2.         The course will help students adjust to college in their academic, personal, and social lives.
3.         The course will help develop and strengthen decision-making, problem solving, critical thinking, and career exploration skills.

II. NORTH DAKOTA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT TRANSFER AGREEMENT (GERTA)

Please review the following Dickinson State University General Education courses in section III. Only the courses marked with a “G” (along side of the credits for each course) are GERTA-approved courses. Only those courses will count toward either Phase I or Phase II of the North Dakota University System General Education Requirement Transfer Agreement (GERTA). Be aware that any course not marked with the “G” WILL NOT count toward meeting the GERTA regulations.

GERTA-approved general education courses in the areas of communications, arts and humanities, social sciences, mathematics, science, and technology taken at any North Dakota University System (NDUS) institution count upon transfer toward the general education requirements at all NDUS institutions in one of the following two ways:
1.         If the general education course-work includes courses from each of these areas totaling at least 36 semester hours and completes the general education requirements of the institution from which the student transfers then the student is deemed to have completed the lower division general education requirements of the institution to which the courses are transferred.
2.         In all other cases the general education courses from the indicated areas are applicable to an appropriate general education requirement of the institution to which they are transferred. In these cases the number of credits required to complete the general education requirement in each area is determined by the policies of the institution to which the courses are transferred.

Within the stipulated areas, each institution shall indicate in its catalog and other student advisement materials its courses which are approved for general education. NDUS institutions may establish program/institute specific requirements. A student should consult the institution to which he/she intends to transfer relative to these program/institution requirements.

III. GENERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM

In addition to major and minor requirements, all four-year degree students are required to complete a minimum 39 credits of General Education course-work within the six curriculum groups outlined below.

Any course substitutions/waivers related to General Education requirements must be approved by the Department Chair that controls the specific class or group.

Course work in this program is designed to help students develop breadth of view and judgment in order to be more intellectually, socially, and culturally responsive as citizens, consumers, and leaders in a global and multi-cultural society. The General Education curriculum was chosen with respect to meeting Institutional Learning Outcome I (Critical Thinking), II (Communication and Technology), III (Multicultural and Global  Awareness), IV (Aesthetic Appreciation), and VI (Health and Wellness).

Courses that are listed both as General Education requirements/selections and as requirements for a MAJOR or MINOR will satisfy both requirements but will not reduce the total credit requirements for graduation.

GROUP I — COMMUNICATION & TECHNOLOGY

GROUP II — NATURAL SCIENCES

GROUP III — EXPRESSIONS OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION

GROUP IV — UNDERSTANDING HUMAN CIVILIZATION

GROUP V — MULTICULTURAL STUDIES

GROUP VI — HEALTH & WELLNESS

* may be repeated, # satisfies Group V requirement, G = GERTA agreement

GROUP I – COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
(INSTITUTIONAL LEARNING OUTCOMES I & II)
Critical Thinking Skills: Students will demonstrate critical thinking in a variety of contexts for life-long learning.
Communication and Technology Skills: Students will demonstrate proficiency in communication skills in a variety of forms including the effective use of current technologies and other information resources.

Students must complete the following:  

GROUP II – NATURAL SCIENCES
(INSTITUTIONAL LEARNING OUTCOMES I, II, VI)
Critical Thinking Skills: Students will demonstrate critical thinking in a variety of contexts for life-long learning.
Communication and Technology Skills: Students will demonstrate proficiency in communication skills in a variety of forms including the effective use of current technologies and other information resources.
Health and Wellness Knowledge: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the importance of health, wellness, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Students must complete the following:

GROUP III – EXPRESSIONS OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION
(LEARNING OUTCOMES I, III, IV)
Critical Thinking Skills: Students will demonstrate critical thinking in a variety of contexts for life-long learning.
Multicultural and Global Experience: Students will demonstrate knowledge of national and international multiculturalism and the importance of global citizenship.
Aesthetic Experience: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the arts and humanities including participation in artistic activities.

Students must complete one course from AREA A, one course from AREA B, and three credits from AREA C or complete one additional course from either AREA A or AREA B.

GROUP IV – UNDERSTANDING HUMAN CIVILIZATION
(LEARNING OUTCOMES I, III, IV)
Critical Thinking Skills: Students will demonstrate critical thinking in a variety of contexts for life-long learning.
Multicultural and Global Experience: Students will demonstrate knowledge of national and international multiculturalism and the importance of global citizenship.
Aesthetic Experience: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the arts and humanities including participation in artistic activities.

Students must choose at least one course from each of the following three groups:

GROUP V – MULTI-CULTURAL STUDIES
(LEARNING OUTCOMES I, III, IV)
Critical Thinking Skills: Students will demonstrate critical thinking in a variety of contexts for life-long learning.
Multicultural and Global Experience:  Students will demonstrate knowledge of national and international multiculturalism and the importance of global citizenship.
Aesthetic Experience:  Students will demonstrate knowledge of the arts and humanities including participation in artistic activities.

Multicultural courses will provide an opportunity for developing an awareness of the histories, cultures and contributions of diverse groups beyond the regional and ethnic boundaries of Dickinson State University. The purpose of these courses is to expand students’ horizons and to make them into globally informed citizens.

In order to fulfill Group V requirements, students must select a minimum of three courses from those courses which are marked with the symbol # in Groups III and IV. By doing so, students will meet the requirements of the multi-cultural component of Dickinson State University’s General Education program.

Multicultural studies that meet the three course requirements in this area, i.e., all foreign language courses will count toward meeting the multicultural studies requirement.

GROUP VI – HEALTH & WELLNESS
(LEARNING OUTCOME VI)
Health and Wellness Knowledge:  Students will demonstrate knowledge of the importance of health, wellness, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Students must complete:
            HPER 100 – Concepts of Fitness and Wellness            2

* course may be repeated for credit
# course satisfies Group V requirement
G = GERTA approved course (General Education Requirement Transfer Agreement of the North Dakota University System.