GENERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM DESCRIPTION
from the 2005-2007 Undergraduate Catalog

Effective with the beginning of the Fall Semester, 2005, for all matriculating students.

WVU is committed to providing students with a foundation of skills and knowledge necessary to reason clearly, communicate effectively, and contribute to society. The General Education Curriculum (GEC) is designed to ensure that students meet these goals through inquiry-based learning across the disciplines. In conjunction with a major field, and in consultation with their advisers, students will design programs of study that satisfy the GEC’s objectives.

The GEC strives to help students become thoughtful participants in an increasingly interdependent world by giving them knowledge and skills they will need to meet changes and challenges in their personal, social, and professional lives. With the exception of Objective 1 (Communication), all GEC courses may also satisfy major course requirements.

A current listing of courses that fulfill each of the nine GEC objectives is available at the General Education Curriculum courses webpage.

General Education Curriculum Objectives

1. Communication
Communicate effectively in English

Requirements (3-6 credits)

• Successful completion of English 101, 102 or English 103
• Successful completion of a “W” course, preferably in the major.
  Please consult the list of available 'writing' courses to determine a course to fulfill this objective.
• Successful completion of written and oral component of the Capstone Experience

2. Basic Mathematical Skills and Scientific Inquiry
Use quantitative and scientific knowledge effectively

Requirements (13-15 credits)

• GROUP A: Successful completion of one course in mathematics or statistics. (3-4 credits)
• GROUP B: Successful completion of two courses in the natural or physical sciences of which at least one course requires a lab. (7-8 credits)
• Successful completion of one additional course from Group A, Group B, or Group C that satisfies the objective. (3 credits)

3. The Past and Its Traditions
Apply knowledge, methods and principles of inquiry to understanding the past

Requirements (3 credits)

• Successful completion of one course focused upon the historical, cultural or intellectual development of society.

4. Issues of Contemporary Society
Apply knowledge, methods, and principles of inquiry to contemporary problems, ideas, and/or values

Requirements (3-4 credits)

• Successful completion of one course focused upon contemporary issues, ideas, and/or values as seen from a humanistic or scientific perspective.

5. Artistic Expression
Apply methods and principles of critical inquiry to the analysis of literary or artistic expression

Requirements (3 credits)

• Successful completion of one course in art, dance, literature, music, or theatre.

6. The Individual in Society
Develop an awareness of human experience, including both personal and social dimensions

Requirements (4 credits)

• University 101 or equivalent course (1 credit) **
• Successful completion of one additional course addressing personality, cognition, behavior, social interaction, critical reasoning, ethical judgment, psychological and physiological growth, and/or health and well-being. (3 credits)
• ** Students transferring to WVU with XX hours for whom "UNIV 101 or equivalent course" requirement has been waived may fulfill GEC 6 with 3 credits

7. American Culture
Develop knowledge critical to understand the issues that shape the culture of the United States

Requirements (3 credits)

• Successful completion of one course that explores issues that have shaped the development of society in the United States .

8. Western Culture
Analyze historical, cultural, and/or political issues of a Western nation in an international context

Requirements (3 credits)

• Successful completion of one course that explores issues pertaining to a western nation in an international context.

9. Non-western Culture (3 credits)
Analyze historical, cultural, and/or political issues of a non-Western area or nation

Requirements (3 credits)

• Successful completion of one course that explores issues pertaining to a non-western nation in an international context.

GEC Policies

Curriculum requires 41-43 credits.

1. Only nine credits spread over Objectives 2-9 may be taken in the major field and still count toward fulfillment of the GEC.
2. Only two courses in a single discipline outside the major may fulfill the GEC.
3. A single course may fulfill only one objective.

A current listing of courses that fulfill each of the nine GEC objectives is available at the General Education Curriculum courses webpage.

The full text of the WVU Faculty Senate General Education Curriculum document can be found at:
http://www.wvu.edu/~facultys/GEC_Approved_March8,04.pdf