2.7.3 General Education

In each undergraduate degree program, the institution requires the successful completion of a general education component at the collegiate level that (1) is a substantial component of each undergraduate degree, (2) ensures breadth of knowledge, and (3) is based on a coherent rationale. For degree completion in associate programs, the component constitutes a minimum of 15 semester hours or the equivalent; for baccalaureate programs, a minimum of 30 semester hours or the equivalent. These credit hours are to be drawn from and include at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural science/mathematics. The courses do not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession. If an institution uses a unit other than semester credit hours, it provides an explanation for the equivalency. The institution also provides a justification if it allows for fewer than the required number of semester credit hours or its equivalent unit of general education courses.

Judgment of Compliance

Compliance

Narrative of Justification

The general education program at Bennett College is designed to: 1) create and sustain an academic community whose participants develop intellectual skills and habits of mind and action that characterize a liberal education; 2) immerse students in learning that emphasizes useful intellectual skills acquired across the curriculum; and 3) involve students in active self-directed and experiential approaches to learning and the development and practice of informed values.  All degree programs must incorporate the fifty-one (51) general education program hours into the curriculum, which includes more than one course for each of the required areas of study.

The General Education Program is in compliance with 2.7.3 General Education Requirements.

The General Education Program

The rationale for the General Education Program is described in the College Catalog.  It states that “the purpose of the general education program is to achieve the stated goals through: (1) integrative and experiential approaches to learning, including critical, connected and creative thinking; (2) understanding and appreciation of interdisciplinary, multicultural, and international aspects of knowledge; (3) building a knowledge base across the broad range of disciplines; (4) acquiring the ability to articulate thoughts and ideas; (5) developing the whole person in the context of African-American heritage; (6) formulating a value system and willingness to act upon it; and (7) acquiring self-directed, independent learning skills and fostering an inquiring mind.”  (College Catalog 2007-2008, p. 61)  This rationale is the basis upon which the curriculum of the General Education Program has been developed.

The rationale for the General Education Program is derived largely from the College’s mission statement.  The mission statement includes “offering women an education conducive to excellence in scholarly pursuits; preparation for leadership roles in the workplace, society, and the world; and lifelong learning in a technologically advanced, complex global society. As a United Methodist Church-related institution, Bennett College promotes morally grounded maturation, intellectual honesty, purposeful public service, and responsible civic action.” (College Catalog 2007-2008, pp. 6-7)  In addition, the General Education Program rationale has been molded by the study of best practices in general education in the United States, especially through the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and the publication, Greater Expectations.   These sources are the basis for the coherent rationale of the General Education Program. 

The General Education Program is composed of the following components, which ensure breadth of knowledge:

The General Education Program is made up of a core curriculum of courses. These include Orientation 100 –Orientation; English 102 –Composition; English 103- Introduction to Literature; Speech 103- Fundamentals of Speech; French 101/102- Elementary French I or II or Spanish 101/102 – Elementary Spanish I or II; French 203/204– Intermediate French I or II or Spanish 203/204 –  Intermediate Spanish I or II; Art 100 – Intro. to Visual Arts; Art 202 African American Art; Music 225 – Intro. to Music Literature and Appreciation; Theatre 102 – Theatre and Culture; Philosophy 201- Intro. to Philosophy; Philosophy 313 – Intro. to Ethics; Religion 315- Philosophy of Religion; Religion 425 – Contemporary Problems in Religion/Philosophy; History 101/102- Origins of Civilization; History 201- American History to 1865; History 202 – American History since 1865; History 203 - African American History; Biology 100 – Biological Science; Biology 101 – Principles of Biology; Science 103 – Physical Science; Chemistry 101 – College Chemistry; Physics 201 – Physics for the Biological Sciences; Physics 221 – Calculus-Based Physics; Computer Science 100 – Computer Applications; Computer Science 101 – Intro. to Computer Science; Computer Science 202- Database Management; Mathematics 110 – College Algebra; Mathematics 120 – Finite math; Math 130 – Pre-Calculus; Psychology 100- Psychological Science; Psychology 101- General Psychology; Political Science 200 – Intro. to Political Science; Political Science 202 – U.S. Government; Economics 201 – Intro. to Microeconomics; Economics 202 – Intro. to Macroeconomics; Sociology 201 – Intro. to Sociology; Health 200 – Wellness for Life; and Physical Education – Activities.

Community service is another component of the General Education Program.  All students are required to complete forty hours of volunteer community service. The hours for community service may be fulfilled in an equitable fashion over the four years of matriculation.  Projects address such needs as food, health, education and tutoring.  The primary focus of community service is social development and mission related purposeful public service and responsible civic action. Community service is supported by the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology. 

The course requirements of the General Education Program can be seen in the following table:

The core General Education courses are drawn from the humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural sciences/mathematics as evidenced by the following table:

All of the above listed courses in the tables—General Education Core courses—are designed for the general education of the College’s students, rather than as preparations for particular occupations or professions.  (College Catalog 2007-2008)  This curriculum thus ensures a breadth of knowledge for the students.

The General Education Program requires fifty-one credit hours of courses.  This constitutes 41.1 % of the minimum graduation requirement of one hundred twenty-four hours, which is a substantial component of the undergraduate degree.  (College Catalog 2007-2008, p. 58).

Supporting Documents

SOURCE	LOCATION/Special Instructions
College Catalog 2007 -2008	Office of the Registrar
General Education Assessment of Student Learning	Office of Academic Affairs
General Education Goals Assessments	Office of Academic Affairs
Greater Expectations	www.aacu.org/gex/index.cfm