General Studies (GENS)

101 General Studies, Seminar in Freshman Studies (2) Study and small group discussion of problems commonly encountered by students making the transition from high school to college. Assigned reading on current topics, informational programs presented by major academic units, academic and career planning placement and proficiency testing in addition to a general orientation to the University, are the major aspects of the course. Graded on a pass/fail basis.

111-499 General Studies, Minicourses (1 credit hour for each course with a limit of three courses) Topics of mutual interest to students and faculty designed to provide a quick response to interests and needs of students and faculty. Proposed courses should be submitted to either the Division of Academic Affairs or the Division of Student Affairs for approval and scheduling. The following requirements are suggested for establishment of minicourses:

1. At least one faculty member must endorse each course proposal submitted by students. Endorsement implies that one will teach the course, or arrange for one's colleagues to teach it as visiting professors. Faculty may also propose courses.
2. The grading system would be Pass/Fail.
3. Students are required to meet the academic standards established by the teacher at the onset of the course. These may include a syllabus of readings, an examination, an essay or term paper, research project, field project, or creative work. Discussion and informality, however, will be stressed and every effort made to avoid the pressures associated with the regular curriculum.
4. Students taking 12 hours or more are eligible to enroll. No more than three such courses may be taken by undergraduates. Courses will count as electives.

201 Career Exploration (2) Development of an understanding of the relationships between aptitudes, interest, and values and successful career decisions. Includes career testing and counseling current trends in job supply-demand and salaries, relationship of academic major to career fields, use of the university catalog in academic planning, and research on specific careers. Designed to create the basis for an informed career decision.

211 College Study Skills (2) Assists the student in developing practical techniques to enhance academic success in college. Topics include goal setting, time management, self-esteem, concentrating and remembering, listening, note-taking strategies, study notes, researching and writing papers, preparing for tests. Meets two times per week.

300 Fundamentals of Career Entry (1) This course is designed to prepare students for careers after graduation by making students aware of career choices, aiding students in resume writing, teaching interview techniques and helping students to prepare for entry into the work force. Graded on a pass/fail basis.

301 Portfolio Development (3) This course requires students to develop a portfolio that they can then use to document prior life/work experience. An expanded version of this document serves as documentation to support an award of credit for college-level learning gained through experience. Students will enhance their research skills by compiling and organizing documents that will constitute proof of their creditable experience; develop their persuasive writing skills by presenting how these documents substantiate their claim that prior work and/or experience should be given course credit; and develop their ability to document resource materials correctly for the field(s) in question. Prereq: an autobiographical essay to be used as a diagnostic tool for writing skills and creditable learning experience and approval of the instructor. Graded on a pass/fail basis.

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