Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2018 Catalog 
    
2016-2018 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

General Education - Area A: Basic Skills


Nine (9) units in basic skills distributed as follows:

A1 Oral Communication.

Students will gain an understanding of the psychological bases and the social significance of communication, with special emphasis on the roles of public communication in a free society. They will develop proficiency in composing and delivering extemporaneous public presentations on socially significant and intellectually challenging topics, and in critical and analytical listening. Students will understand and appreciate a range of public speaking styles and forms of eloquence representative of diverse cultural gender, and ethnic groups. Each student will develop a sense of the ethical responsibilities of the public speaker, will learn to respect the freedom of expression of all members of the community, and will develop a sense of her or his own voice — which means speaking with confidence in public forums in ways that reflect her or his unique perspective and identity.

The courses listed above satisfy this General Education requirement at the time the catalog was published. Check the Class Schedule for the most up-to-date list of courses satisfying this requirement.

A2 Written Communication

Each student will develop a writing style that is clear and correct, and will be able to give form and coherence to complex ideas and feelings. Students will gain an understanding of the writing process and the goals, dynamics, and genres of written communication, with special attention to the nature of writing at the university. They will understand and appreciate a range of writing styles and forms of eloquence. They will develop their rhetorical sophistication, their analytical and imaginative faculties, and college-level reading abilities.

The courses listed above satisfy this General Education requirement at the time the catalog was published. Check the Class Schedule for the most up-to-date list of courses satisfying this requirement.

A3 Critical Thinking.

Students will learn logic and reasoning, understand sound argument, and appreciate the value of applying these skills. They will know how language is related to logic, how to analyze the validity of a statement or argument, and how valid arguments can be constructed. Students will develop the critical habits of being open-minded and impartial, suspending judgment or taking a stance when warranted, and questioning their own views. They will recognize that real world problems are complex and not solved with one simple answer. They will be able to transfer their critical thinking skills to new situations in other courses and in their everyday lives.

  • Three (3) units. Select among:

LTWR 115 
MATH 110 
PHIL 110  
PSYC 110  

The courses listed above satisfy this General Education requirement at the time the catalog was published. Check the Class Schedule for the most up-to-date list of courses satisfying this requirement.