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Section 2.04: Core Curriculum Principles and Framework

SUBJECT: Core Curriculum Principles and Framework
EFFECTIVE DATE: Fall 1998
SOURCE: Board of Regents Minutes, February 13-14, 1996, Board Policy Manual 303.01

General Education in the University System of Georgia

From the origins of intellectual study to the present, general education has been a key to a fulfilling life of self-knowledge, self-reflection, critical awareness, and lifelong learning. General education has traditionally focused on oral and written communication, quantitative reasoning and mathematics, studies in culture and society, scientific reasoning, and aesthetic appreciation. Today, general education also assists students in their understanding of technology, information literacy, diversity, and global awareness. In meeting all of these needs, general education provides college students with their best opportunity to experience the breadth of human knowledge and the ways that knowledge in various disciplines is interrelated.

In the University System of Georgia, general education programs consist of a group of courses known as the Core Curriculum as well as other courses and co-curricular experiences specific to each institution. The attainment of general education learning outcomes prepares responsible, reflective citizens who adapt constructively to change. General education programs impart knowledge, values, skills, and behaviors related to critical thinking and logical problem-solving. General education includes opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and experiences that increase intellectual curiosity, providing the basis for advanced study in the variety of fields offered by today's colleges and universities.

Approved by the Council on General Education, October, 2004
Approved by the Chief Academic Officers, December, 2004

The principles and curricular framework were developed by the Administrative Committee on Undergraduate Education (Undergraduate Council), the Executive Committee of the Administrative Committee on Academic Affairs, and Academic Affairs staff and revised based upon suggestions from the institutions. The principles and framework were developed with the goal of allowing institutions some flexibility in defining learning outcomes while ensuring that the core curriculum completed at one System institution is fully transferrable to another System institution.

POLICY

303.01 CORE CURRICULUM

Each institution's core curriculum shall follow a common set of principles and framework. The System principles and framework were developed with the goal of allowing institutions some flexibility in defining learning outcomes while ensuring that the core curriculum completed at one System institution is fully transferable to another System institution.

Each institution's core curriculum shall consist of 60 semester hours as follows:

Area A Essential Skills
Specific courses in English composition and mathematics 		9 semester hours
Area B Institutional Options
Courses that address institution-wide general education outcomes of the institution's choosing 		4-5 semester hours
Area C Humanities/Fine Arts
Courses that address humanities/fine arts learning outcomes 		6 semester hours
Area D Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Courses that address learning outcomes in the sciences, mathematics, and technology 		10-11 semester hours
Area E Social Sciences
Courses that address learning outcomes in the social sciences 		12 semester hours
Area F Courses Related to the Program of Study
Lower division courses related to the discipline(s) of the program of study and courses that are prerequisite to major courses at higher levels. 		18 semester hours

The specific courses contained in areas A through E of an institution's core curriculum are approved by the Council on General Education.

Students completing an area of the core curriculum will receive full credit for that area upon transfer to another System institution within the same major. In area A, students will receive credit for courses taken regardless of whether the area is completed. For students completing the core curriculum, the total number of hours required of transfer students for the baccalaureate degree shall not exceed the number of hours required of native students for the same major field.

PROCEDURES

Institutions in the University System shall offer a Core Curriculum as follows:

Principles Across the Core That Are Common to All Institutions

Each institution's core curriculum shall:

  1. Encourage the development of written and oral communication skills and critical thinking within the broader academic context;
  2. Permit opportunities for interdisciplinary learning;
  3. Include offerings that reflect the special characteristics of the institution;
  4. Feature international components that increase global awareness and introduce the student to different cultural perspectives;
  5. Include an informed use of information technology;
  6. Employ pedagogy designed to increase intellectual curiosity and to initiate a continuing interest in the subject matter;
  7. Feature courses that are challenging and rigorous and provide learning experiences that distinguish a field;
  8. Introduce the methods used by technical and scientific professionals such as the evaluation of empirical data, problem recognition, problem definition, the application of scientific principles, and logical problem solving;
  9. Be cohesive and provide entry to both specialized studies in the student's chosen field and remaining courses (whether upper or lower division) in the institution's general education curriculum; and
  10. Be designed with the assumption that students have met all admissions standards to the institution (with appropriate academic support provided for those who have not).

Curricular Framework for the Common Core – 60 Semester Hours

  1. Essential Skills – 9 semester hours

    The following courses shall have common course numbers throughout the University System. Each course in this section (A) shall be three semester hours:

    • English Composition I
    • English Composition II
    • College Algebra (or) Mathematical Modeling or Quantitative Skills and Reasoning (or other courses approved by the Council on General Education)

    More advanced mathematical courses may be required for certain majors and/or institutions with the approval of the Council on General Education.

    Transfer: Course-by-course. Any higher level course or more advanced requirements must apply equally to native and transfer students.

  2. Institutional Options – 4 - 5 semester hours

    Courses approved by the Council on General Educationwhich address institution-wide general education outcomes of the institution's choosing. Examples include, but are not limited to, global issues, oral communication, information technology, critical thinking, wellness, geography, and foreign languages.

    Transfer: If B is completed, the receiving institution must accept this area in its entirety.

  3. Humanities/Fine Arts – 6 semester hours

    Courses which address humanities/fine arts learning outcomes and which have been approved by the Council on General Education. Interdisciplinary courses are acceptable.

    Transfer: If C is complete, the receiving institution must accept this area in its entirety.

  4. Science, Mathematics, and Technology – 10 - 11 semester hours

    Courses approved by the Council on General Education which address learning outcomes in the sciences, mathematics, and technology. These need not be sequential courses. Interdisciplinary courses are acceptable.

    Students complete one of two options:

    Option I - Non-Science Majors

    1. A four-hour laboratory or a three or four-hour non-laboratory course, and
    2. A four-hour laboratory course.
    3. Three additional credit hours in mathematics, science, or technology.

    Option II - Science Majors

    1. Two four-hour laboratory courses.
    2. Same as number 3 in Option I above.

    Transfer: If D is complete, the receiving institution must accept this area in its entirety.

  5. Social Sciences – 12 semester hours

    Courses approved by the Council on General Education which address learning outcomes in the social sciences including, but not limited to, history and American government. Interdisciplinary courses are acceptable. If credit work is used to satisfy the U.S./Georgia history and constitutions requirement, course(s) shall be part of this area.

    Transfer: If E is complete, the receiving institution must accept this area in its entirety.

  6. Courses Related to the Program of Study – 18 semester hours

    Lower-division courses related to the discipline(s) of the program of study and courses which are prerequisite to major courses at higher levels. Guidelines for acceptable courses in this area will be based on appropriate consultation with faculty in the relevant disciplines.

    Transfer: If F is complete, the receiving institution must accept this area in its entirety.

Additional Transfer Guidelines

Provided that native and transfer students are treated equally, institutions may impose additional reasonable requirements such as a grade of "C" in English Composition.

For students who transfer after completing the core curriculum at a System institution, receiving institutions may require that these students complete the requirements as specified for native students; however, the total number of hours required of the transfer student for the baccalaureate degree shall not exceed the number of hours required of native students for the same major field.

Last updated: 10/10/2006


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