2008 Woodie Awards
Changes to general studies requirements approved at first-level meeting
Joel Nisleit
Issue date: 11/7/02 Section: News
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On Dec. 10 the general studies division committee passed several major changes to the GS distributive requirements. Before the changes are final, they will have to be approved at two higher levels.
The distributive requirements were divided into two objectives: awareness and skills, each having five categories. A new category, artistic experience, requires students to take one course in art, writing, music, or theatre.
Several alternative courses were added to categories. For example, instead of only history courses in the cross-culture studies category, a foreign language class is offered as an option.
In the quantitative analysis category, introduction to computer program is an option to math courses. A religion course is still part of the GS requirements.
The basic skills category now includes intermediate algebra as an option to reading, writing, and math workshops.
"Distribution requirements were set that would offer students more choices in general studies and more latitude for courses that would also count for major requirements," said Keith Striggow, professor of education and sociology.
Many proposed changes were passed in previous meetings, such as general writing requirements and interdisciplinary studies requirements.
Courses next school year would be worth three credits instead of the current four, a change that was approved last year. This means students would have to take more classes to fulfill the graduation requirement of 128 credits, but class lengths will be somewhat shortened.
The changes voted on Tuesday must be approved by the curriculum committee and also by a final vote of the full faculty before they become policy. Striggow expects the meetings to take place early next year. He said the changes proposed are very likely to pass at the highest level and doesn't foresee any objections.
Students won't have a voice in the matter until the curriculum committee meeting, which will include representatives of the student body.
The distributive requirements were divided into two objectives: awareness and skills, each having five categories. A new category, artistic experience, requires students to take one course in art, writing, music, or theatre.
Several alternative courses were added to categories. For example, instead of only history courses in the cross-culture studies category, a foreign language class is offered as an option.
In the quantitative analysis category, introduction to computer program is an option to math courses. A religion course is still part of the GS requirements.
The basic skills category now includes intermediate algebra as an option to reading, writing, and math workshops.
"Distribution requirements were set that would offer students more choices in general studies and more latitude for courses that would also count for major requirements," said Keith Striggow, professor of education and sociology.
Many proposed changes were passed in previous meetings, such as general writing requirements and interdisciplinary studies requirements.
Courses next school year would be worth three credits instead of the current four, a change that was approved last year. This means students would have to take more classes to fulfill the graduation requirement of 128 credits, but class lengths will be somewhat shortened.
The changes voted on Tuesday must be approved by the curriculum committee and also by a final vote of the full faculty before they become policy. Striggow expects the meetings to take place early next year. He said the changes proposed are very likely to pass at the highest level and doesn't foresee any objections.
Students won't have a voice in the matter until the curriculum committee meeting, which will include representatives of the student body.