PowerPoint Presentation

An overview of newGeneral Education framework for RIT undergraduate students

AgendaWhy the change?

What changed?

Requirements of the new GE Curriculum Framework

The only education that prepares us for change is a liberal education. In periods of change, narrow specialization condemns us to inflexibility precisely what we do not need. We need the flexible intellectual tools to be problem solvers, to be able to continue learning over time.

-David Kearns, former CEO of Xerox Corporation, 2002

Guiding PrinciplesSupporting programs/majorsProvide a progression of courses that are integrated with major fields of study Provide courses that support the basic requirements for students in the majorsImplementationBe clear and concise to ease processes for: Scheduling, Auditing, AdvisingOffer students courses and programs that support their major field of study and other interestsProvide students choices in how to fulfill their requirementsBe clear and easy to understand for students, faculty, and staffAllow for easy adaptation for future reformOtherBe intellectually stimulating for faculty and studentsBe adaptive to changing curricula and a changing worldSupport innovation, creativity, scholarship, and entrepreneurshipHow the New Framework DiffersUniversity-wide engagement Not disciplinary, but outcome drivenOpportunities for integrated and inter-/trans-disciplinary experiencesIntentional scaffoldingWriting intensive

NYSED RequirementsStudents in all BS degree programs are required to complete at least 60 semester credit hours of general education.Students in BFA programs are required to take 30 semester credit hours of general education.

FY ElectiveFirst Year WritingMath-ematicalArtisticEthical

SocialGlobalMath-ematicalScience InquiryScience Principles321Plus + Elective General Education courses to bring total to 60 credits PerspectivesFoundationImmersionGeneral Education Framework BS Degree Minor 4(optional)Minor 5 (optional)Critical Reading & Writing7321Minor 4(optional)Total should be a minimum of 30 credits Minor 5 (optional)General Education BFA Degree PerspectivesFoundationImmersionArtisticEthical

SocialGlobalFY ElectiveFirst Year WritingCritical Reading & WritingAdditional program determined or elective courses to bring total to 30 credits General Education AS Degrees PerspectivesArtisticEthical

SocialGlobalSciencePrinciplesFY ElectiveFirst Year WritingFoundationCritical Reading & WritingAdditional program determined or elective courses to bring total to 25 credits General Education AAS Degrees PerspectivesArtisticEthical

SocialGlobalSciencePrinciplesFY ElectiveFirst Year WritingFoundationCritical Reading & WritingRITs GE FrameworkNote: There may be some flexibility depending on whether student takes 3 or 4 credit courses in some of the Perspectives categories; may change number of GE electivesGeneral Education FrameworkBSBFAAASASFoundationFoundational ElectiveFirst-Year Writing6666Perspectives Categories24121515Immersion RequirementThree additional, related courses9900General Education Electives21339MINIMUM TOTAL60302430FoundationTwo courses in the first year that introduce students to intellectual life of the university, and prepare them for future coursework and career preparation:First-Year Writing Should be taken in their first yearFirst-Year ElectiveFoundational ElectiveNote: The General Education Committee is currently revisiting these three credits. Currently students may use these 3 credits as ANY general education course.

PerspectivesIntroduce students to fundamentals of liberal arts and sciences

Students must choose one course from each of the 7 categories:

ArtisticSocialGlobal EthicalScientific PrinciplesNatural Science InquiryMathematical (2 courses)

ArtisticWill enable students to interpret and evaluate artistic expression considering cultural context in which it was createdExamples of courses:Literary and Cultural StudiesIntro to Visual Arts Intro to MusicIntro to FilmIntro to Western Art & ArchitectureEnglish and World literature courses

SocialFocus on the analysis of human behavior within the context of social systems and institutionsExamples of courses:Microeconomics MacroeconomicsThemes in US HistoryAmerican PoliticsIntro to PsychologyAbnormal PsychologyFoundations of SociologyIntro to Criminal Justice Systems

GlobalWill enable students to examine connections among the worlds populationsExamples of courses:Microeconomics MacroeconomicsCultural AnthropologyLiterary and Cultural StudiesHistory of Modern East Asia20th Century EuropeIntro to International Relations Foreign Languages

EthicalFocus on ethical aspects of decision-making and argument, whether at the individual, group, national or international levelExamples of courses:Intro to PhilosophyCritical ThinkingProfessional EthicsIntro to Environmental StudiesScience, Technology & Values

Scientific PrinciplesProvide an opportunity to apply methods of scientific inquiry in the natural or social sciencesExamples of courses:Intro to PsychologyDevelopmental PsychologyHuman BiologyGeneral BiologyCollege PhysicsSolar System AstronomyGeneral & Analytical ChemistryConcepts of Environmental Science

Natural Scientific InquiryCourses in this category focus on the basic principles and concepts of one of the natural sciences. Students apply methods of scientific inquiry and problem solving in a lab or field experience.Courses includeNatural science courses that include a lab componentCollege and University Physics (combining lecture and lab)General & Analytical ChemistryHuman BiologyGeneral Biology

MathematicalCourses in this category focus on identifying and understanding the role that mathematics plays in the world. Students comprehend and evaluate mathematical or statistical information and perform college level mathematical operations on quantitative dataStudents must take two from this Perspective categoryCourses includeAll Math Courses at the 100-level and above in the semester numbering systemIntro to Computational Problem SolvingIntroduction to Statistics

PerspectivesImportant Points:Courses may be listed in more than one categoryA student may only use a single course to fulfill a single categoryStudents must complete one writing intensive course in their general education curricula

ImmersionThree courses linked by theme or discipline (courses may be across departments and/or across Colleges)Supports deeper learning within a focus areaImmersions ideally lead to minor with two additional coursesPrograms cannot require students to complete specific immersion as part of their requirementsExamples:Foreign LanguagesCommunicationsText & CodeSociologyPhilosophyMathematicsAstronomy

Gen Ed ElectivesRemaining GE elective credits may be specified by programs in order for students to fulfill supporting requirements (e.g. mathematics, science, ethics, etc.)Ideally, some of these credits should be free GE electives that can be chosen by students Credits in the Perspectives category that exceed minimum requirement will be applied toward elective credits

23Questions?

Contacts:

John SmithgallAssistant DeanCollege of Liberal Artsjssgla@RIT.edu

Elizabeth HaneFaculty Associate to the Provost for General EducationCollege of Scienceenhsbi@rit.edu