by Amber Neri
Staff Writer
A task force formed and appointed by President Stephen Morgan to look into the University’s General Education requirements in spring of 1990 will see its work implemented this fall.
The quest for finding the best types of requirements for students started five years ago. Dr. John Gingrich, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, has been able to trace the General Education Committee’s progress from day one.
“In all educational institutions you really want to say, ‘Are we providing the best education that we can for our students?’” said Dr. Gingrich.
With general education consisting of almost half of the required courses for ULV students, the task force had to look at what the University was trying to do with its general education program.
The ULV Mission Statement, and how it was being lived out in the curriculum, was one of the first things to be examined.
Currently, the University does not have “direct courses” to deal with certain aspects of the Mission Statement.
It was important to the committee to address the main points of ULV’s mission for its students and, at the same time, incorporate the value of community service and an exposure to all of the various interdisciplinary fields of study that La Verne has to offer. A well-rounded educational experience, regardless of a chosen major, is the ultimate goal.
The first half of “Mission 21: Education for Life in the 21st Century,” is Proposal #1 for ULV’s Central Campus focusing on traditional age students.
The first half of this proposal is called the Core Requirements.
It includes: Values and Critical Thinking—upper division, with a requirement of three semester hours.
The International/Intercultural requirement with Foreign Language is new. As a two-semester-hour requirement, it can be tested out of by passing a competency exam. The equivalent of one year of college level foreign language classes will also be acceptable. Under Core Requirements, there is also a World Civilizations and Cultures requirement.
According to Dr. Gingrich the International/Intercultural experience can be anything from helping work in a homeless shelter to traveling to Mexico to volunteer in a work camp. Community-minded work is also a goal of this requirement.
“It isn’t necessary to further your major, [but] it is for the bettering of society,” said Dr. Gingrich.
The second half of the Core Requirements are geared towards interdisciplinary study. The two upper division courses, “The Human Condition” (Social Science or Humanities based), and “Toward a Sustainable Planet” (Natural Science based), must involve a combination of two of the following disciplines carrying six semester hours: Humanities, Social Science, Natural Science.
The last Core Requirement is similar to the International/Intercultural Experience. It is called the Service Requirement and one semester hour is required.
The Core Requirements total 14-20 semester hours.
Area Requirements, the second area of general education classes, add up to 30-44 semester hours, including seven different categories which vary from two to nine required semester hours.
The categories are: Humanities, Fine Arts, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, English Language Skills and Physical Education.
The total for all General Education requirements is 44-64 semester hours.
Dr. Gingrich explained that it is important for ULV to respond to “trends in higher education” that are going to be beneficial to students in the future.
“We have diversity, but there was never a specific course or experience,” he said.
“Our new General Education requirements are a combination of an emphasis on the Mission Statement and making sure students are exposed to traditional liberal arts.” said Dr. Gingrich.
The new changes have raised a few eyebrows, he was quick to mention.
“There is some resistance. It changes the way and what people are going to teach. Some embrace the changes, others don’t want to,” he said.
The total of 128 semester hours required for graduation will remain the same for the entire student body. Some leniency will be given to students due to the rearranging of certain classes from four semester hours to three semester hours. Transfer students will be responsible for the curriculum and requirements under the 1994-95 catalog.
The scheduling of classes will also change. Morning classes will start at 7:30 a.m. next year, instead of 8 a.m.
“We are taking some risks, and we think that it is good,”said Dr. Gingrich.
Revised General Education Requirements
(effective Fall 1995)
A. Core Requirements
1. Values and Critical Thinking (upper division) 4 sh
2. International/Intercultural
a. Foreign Language 0*-6 sh
b. World Civilizations and Cultures 3 sh
c. Required International/Intercultural Experience 1 sh
3. Interdisciplinary (upper division)
a. The Human Condition (social sciences/humanities based) 3 sh
b. Toward a Sustainable Planet (natural science based) 3 sh
4. Service Requirement 1 sh
B. Area Requirements
1. Humanities (three courses in three different areas) 9 sh
a. Literature (English or foreign language)
b. Philosophy/Religion
c. Mass Media
d. Interdisciplinary humanities course
2. Fine Arts
a. History and appreciation 2-3 sh
b. Studio and performance arts 1-3 sh
3. Social Sciences (three courses from three different areas) 9 sh
a. Behavioral Science
b. History/Political Science
c. Economics
d. Interdisciplinary social science course
4. Natural Sciences (two courses from two different areas) 7 sh
(Must include at least one lab)
a. Life Science
b. Physical Science
5. Mathematics (one course) 0*-3 sh
6. English Language Skills
a. College Writing A 0*-3 sh
b. College Writing B 0*-3 sh
c. Speech/Oral Communications 0*-2 sh
7. Physical Education
a. Fitness course 1 sh
b. Activity course 1 sh
* If met by competency examination
