Bulletin - General Education

Undergraduate programs provide for degrees in certain fields of specialization. At Oglethorpe, the degrees offered are outlined in Sec. 8., with academic programs explored in much greater detail in Sec. 9. In addition to credentialing specialized learning and achievement in a major, for example, every undergraduate degree program also must possess a significant general education component. According to Oglethorpe’s regional accreditor, SACSCOC (see Sec. 2.5.), the general education component of a collegiate education must:^[1]

Be substantial. At least 25% of the academic credits earned toward an undergraduate baccalaureate degree must come from an institution’s general education program.
Ensure breadth of knowledge. Courses must be drawn from the humanities and fine arts, the social and behavioral sciences, and from the natural sciences and mathematics.
Be based on a coherent rationale.

It would be erroneous to conclude that general education at Oglethorpe exists to satisfy an accreditation requirement. We are intimately concerned with the business of liberal education. According to the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U),

“Liberal Education is an approach to learning that empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity, and change. It provides students with broad knowledge of the wider world (e.g. science, culture, and society) as well as in-depth study in a specific area of interest. A liberal education helps students develop a sense of social responsibility, as well as strong and transferable intellectual and practical skills such as communication, analytical and problem-solving skills, and a demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings.

The broad goals of liberal education have been enduring even as the courses and requirements that comprise a liberal education have changed over the years. Today, a liberal education usually includes a general education curriculum that provides broad learning in multiple disciplines and ways of knowing, along with more in-depth study in a major.”^[2]

The AAC&U goes on to define general education as “[t]he part of a liberal education curriculum shared by all students. It provides broad learning in liberal arts and science disciplines, and forms the basis for developing important intellectual, civic, and practical capacities. General education can take many forms, and increasingly includes introductory, advanced, and integrative forms of learning.”^[3]

Oglethorpe considers general education to be every bit as crucial to the development of undergraduate students as specialized learning. And when alumni recount their most meaningful experiences at Oglethorpe, it is more often than not their experiences in the general education program—especially the TU Core program—that have had the most profound impact on their ability to “make a life, make a living, and make a difference.”

[1] Principles of Accreditation: Foundations of Quality Enhancement (https://sacscoc.org/app/uploads/2019/08/2018PrinciplesOfAcreditation.pdf)

[2] “What is a 21^st Century Liberal Education?”

[3] ibid

Oglethorpe University is committed to providing a comprehensive liberal education for all of its students. The University aims to produce graduates who are broadly educated in the fundamental fields of knowledge and who know how to integrate knowledge in meaningful ways. The Core curriculum is the clearest expression of this commitment. As an interdisciplinary and common learning experience spread over four years, the Core provides for students a model for integrating information and gaining knowledge throughout their academic careers. These courses feature the reading of a number of primary texts common to all sections of the courses, intensive discussion, and frequent writing assignments. The program is a true curriculum in which each course in the sequence builds upon the body of themes and skills studied and cultivated in the previous courses. The arts (fine arts, music and theatre) and mathematics complement the course of study. The sequencing of the Core courses means that all Oglethorpe students take the same Core courses at the same point in their college careers, thereby providing an opportunity for students to discuss important themes both inside and outside the classroom. In this way, the Core aims to create a community of learners at Oglethorpe. The program explicitly invites students to integrate the knowledge gained from their Core studies with their chosen major.

The Core curriculum provides a model for integrative learning and a forum for the investigation of significant and enduring questions.

Staffed by faculty from a wide variety of disciplines, this interdisciplinary program promotes the development of the following aptitudes and skills:[1]

Knowledge of human cultures, intellectual history, the arts, mathematics, and the natural world, including
- Study in the sciences and mathematics, social sciences, humanities, histories, and the arts

Intellectual and practical skills, Including
- Inquiry and analysis
- Critical and creative thinking
- Written and oral communication
- Information literacy
- Problem solving

Integrative and applied learning, Including
- Synthesis and accomplishment across general and specialized studies

At the heart of the Core are seven integrated and sequenced courses in the humanities and sciences: COR 101, COR 102, COR 201, COR 202, COR 301, COR 302, and COR 400. In addition, students take two courses (COR 314 and one course from among the following: COR 103, COR 104 or COR 105) that have been designed to help them develop an appreciation and understanding of mathematics and the arts.

Core requirements are as follows:

Completion of all of the following courses:
- COR 101 Narratives of the Self I
- COR 102 Narratives of the Self II
- COR 201 Human Nature and the Social Order I
- COR 202 Human Nature and the Social Order II
- COR 301 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order I or COR-350 Core Elective[2]
- COR 302 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order II or COR-350 Core Elective[3]
- COR 314 Mathematics and Human Nature[4]
- COR 400 Science and Human Nature
Completion of one of the following courses:
- COR 103 Music and Culture
- COR 104 Art and Culture
- COR 105 Theatre and Culture

Additional requirements and things to note:

Freshmen must take COR 101, COR 102 Narratives of the Self I, II their first two regular semesters at Oglethorpe.
Students can take COR 103 Music and Culture, COR 104 Art and Culture, COR 105 Theatre and Culture, and COR 314 Mathematics and Human Nature at any time during their tenure at Oglethorpe.
A minimum of sophomore standing is required for enrollment in COR 201, COR 202 Human Nature and the Social Order I, II.
A minimum of junior standing is required for enrollment in COR 301, COR 302 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order I, II.
Junior or senior standing, along with completion of the Core curriculum at least through COR 202, is required for enrollment in COR 400 Science and Human Nature.
Core classes are numbered in a way that typically indicates what year in a student’s Oglethorpe career they ought to take the class. This is consistent with the cohort model we adopt for students working their way through the program. The reader should consult 1.4.3.4. for further details.

[1] Modeled, in part, on the LEAP Essential Learning Outcomes (http://www.aacu.org/leap/vision.cfm)
[2] Students can use COR-350 Core Elective to satisfy either COR-301 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order I or COR-302 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order II, but not both.
[3] Students can use COR-350 Core Elective to satisfy either COR-301 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order I or COR-302 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order II, but not both.
[4] Note: Effective in the fall of 2017, COR 314 is the only course which necessarily satisfies the TU Core mathematics requirement. TU students who enter Oglethorpe during the fall 2017 semester or thereafter must take COR 314. In particular, they cannot take the previous Core mathematics course, COR 203 Great Ideas of Modern Mathematics. However, students who attended Oglethorpe in a degree program prior to the fall of 2017 may satisfy their Core mathematics requirement by taking either COR 203 or COR 314, although there are consequences of each choice. Students are strongly advised to consult an academic advisor or personnel in enrollment services or student success in order to make informed choices in this matter.

7.1.2. Core Equivalencies

There are no “exemptions” from the Core curriculum. Every student who graduates from Oglethorpe University’s TU program must satisfy the requirements delineated above. Under certain circumstances, however, the requirements for a subset of as few as one and as many as five of these nine courses may be satisfied through approved equivalencies. However, there are no equivalencies for, or exemptions from, any 300- or 400-level Core course.^[1] These courses must all be taken at Oglethorpe by every TU student.

[1] For students who entered a degree program at Oglethorpe prior to the fall 2017 semester and who are using COR 203 to satisfy their Core mathematics requirement, there is also no equivalency, or exemption from, COR 203.

7.1.2.1. Core Equivalencies for Transfer Students

Core credits and transfer equivalencies for transfer students are determined by two criteria: a student’s prior specific course work taken elsewhere before to the time the student first matriculates to Oglethorpe and the total semester hours transferred in by the student at the time the student first matriculates to Oglethorpe. The awarding of specific Core credit based on total semester hours transferred is designed to ensure that students transferring credit are not placed at a disadvantage with respect to the aims, content or skill development emphasized in the Core curriculum. This guideline are used by the registrar to evaluate and award equivalency credit for Core classes where appropriate. If questions of equivalencies arise, the registrar will seek advice from the Core director and faculty members of the appropriate disciplines.

Additional requirements and things to note:

*If a philosophy course is used as an equivalency for COR 102, the same course cannot be used to achieve an equivalency for COR 201 or COR 202.
No Core equivalency is allowed for Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) course work.
When Core equivalency is denied, an appropriately transferred course is awarded Oglethorpe general elective credit in accord with standard practices in the policy on awarding transfer credit (see Sec. 6.8.2. through Sec. 6.8.4.).
The following courses cannot be fulfilled by transfer credit in any circumstance:
- COR 301 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order I
- COR 302 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order II
- COR 314 Mathematics and Human Nature
- COR 400 Science and Human Nature

7.1.2.2. Core Equivalency for Study Abroad

Every student attending an Oglethorpe-approved fall semester, spring semester, or year abroad may petition the Core director(s) to have their course work abroad count as an equivalency for one semester of either COR 301 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order I or COR 302 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order II, at the student’s discretion. Students must be accepted on an Oglethorpe-approved program and have fulfilled COR requirements through 201. The Core director(s) may at their discretion grant exemption for an immersive summer program. Students will receive an exemption after obtaining approval through the study abroad course approval process and upon receipt of a transcript showing completion of a full course load while abroad. A student may use the Core Equivalency for Study Abroad as an equivalent for either COR 301 or COR-302, but not both. Students may not combine the Core Equivalency for Core Electives Courses with the Core Equivalency for Study Abroad to fulfill their 300-level Core requirements; at least one of either COR 301 or COR 302 must be taken at Oglethorpe.

7.1.2.3. Core Equivalency for “Explorations in the Core” Courses

“Explorations in the Core” are sections of existing Core courses that have included an innovative thematic focus or pedagogical approach (see the COR listings in Sec. 13.). The course descriptions for “Explorations” sections are the same as the original course—with the addition of an explanation of the nature of the innovation. Each such section is equivalent to, and satisfies the Core requirement for, the original Core course it explores. Students can enroll in an “Explorations” section of a Core course only if they have no more than one other Core equivalency on their transcript (Core equivalencies granted to a transfer student, equivalency for one semester of junior year Core awarded for study abroad, or completion of another “Explorations” section).

7.1.2.4. Core Equivalency for Core Elective Courses

The Core Elective (COR 350) is designed to encourage stronger, and more explicit, connections between discipline-specific courses and themes discussed in the first two years of the Core Program regarding the relationship between self and society. A student may use COR 350 as an equivalency for either COR 301 or COR 302, but not both. Students may not combine the Core Equivalency for Study Abroad with the Core Equivalency for Core Elective Courses to fulfill their 300-level Core requirements; at least one of either COR 301 or COR 302 must be taken at Oglethorpe.

7.1.2.5. Policy on Core Work as a Transient Student

Once a student first matriculates to Oglethorpe, neither Core credit nor any equivalency may be earned through study as a transient student at any other institution.

7.2 - ADP General Education

General education in the ADP is tailored toward working adults and transfer students, who frequently have a moderate amount of transfer credit when they first matriculate to Oglethorpe. That is to say, the ADP general education program is a distribution requirement rather than the TU model of an integrated nine-course program, allowing ADP students to apply a larger array of classes to meet their general education requirement.

The ADP general education program consists of nine 4-semester hour courses which seeks to ensure that students have attained the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

The ability to communicate accurately, appropriately and effectively. Courses acting in direct support of this goal include:
- Two courses (4 semester hours each) which are focused on writing and which are appropriate for general education. Oglethorpe courses guaranteed to satisfy this requirement include:
  WRI 101 Core Writing Workshop
  COR 101 Narratives of the Self I
  COR 102 Narratives of the Self II
An understanding of our cultural heritage as revealed in the humanities and the fine arts. Courses acting in direct support of this goal include:
- One history course (4 semester hours) suitable for general education. Oglethorpe courses guaranteed to satisfy this requirement include:
  HIS 101 Foundations of the West
  HIS 102 Europe and the World, 1715 to the Present
  HIS 130 United States History to 1865
  HIS 131 United States History Since 1865
  HIS 290 Special Topics in History (depending on topic)
- And one fine arts course (4 semester hours, in art, music, or theatre) suitable for
  general education. Oglethorpe courses guaranteed to satisfy this requirement include:
  COR 103 Music and Culture
  COR 104 Art and Culture
  COR 105 Theatre and Culture
  THE 220 Theatre History I: Greeks to Renaissance
  THE 210 Theatre History II: Restoration to 20th Century
- And one literature or philosophy course (4 semester hours) suitable for general education. Oglethorpe courses guaranteed to satisfy this requirement include:
  ENG 101 Ancient Literature
  ENG 102 Medieval and Renaissance Literature
  ENG 103 18th and 19th Century Literature
  ENG 104 Modern and Contemporary Literature
  PHI 101 Big Questions
  Every student attending an Oglethorpe-approved semester or year abroad during their tenure at Oglethorpe may petition the provost to have their course work abroad count as an equivalency for one (and only one) of the courses in this category, depending on the nature of the trip and the course work required. Consult the provost, registrar or the director of the center for global education for details.
An understanding of the forces shaping contemporary society as revealed by the social sciences. Courses acting in direct support of this goal include:
- Two social or behavioral science courses(4 semester hours each, in economics, politics, psychology or sociology) suitable for general education. The two courses must be from different disciplines. Oglethorpe courses guaranteed to satisfy this requirement include:
  ECO 120 Principles of Microeconomics
  ECO 122 Principles of Macroeconomics
  POL 101 Introduction to American Politics
  POL 111 International Relations
  POL 122 Introduction to Comparative Politics
  PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
  PSY 204 Social Psychology
  SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
  SOC 202 The American Experience
An appreciation of the methods of science to the acquisition of knowledge, and an understanding of contributions of science to our cultural heritage and to the solution of contemporary problems. Courses acting in direct support of this goal include:
- One science course (4 or more semester hours, in biology, chemistry, general science, physics or physical science) appropriate for general education. Oglethorpe courses guaranteed to satisfy this requirement include:
  BIO 110 Biological Inquiry
  CHM 101 General Chemistry I
  CHM 102 General Chemistry II
  COR 400 Science and Human Nature
  GEN 101 Natural Sciences: The Physical Sciences (depending on topic)
  GEN 102 Natural Sciences: The Biological Sciences (depending on topic)
  PHY 101 General Physics I
  PHY 102 General Physics II
An understanding of mathematical thought and processes and the ability to conceptualize and apply mathematical reasoning to problem solving. Courses acting in direct support of this goal include:
- One mathematics course (4 semester hours) suitable for general education. Oglethorpe courses guaranteed to satisfy this requirement include:
  COR 203 Great Ideas of Modern Mathematics
  COR 314 Mathematics and Human Nature
  MAT 111 Statistics
  MAT 121 Applied Calculus
  MAT 131 Calculus I
The ability to read and to think critically. All (or nearly all) of the courses which are listed as acting in support of goals 1 through 5 (above) typically contribute to this final goal.

In the above, the phrase “suitable for general education” commonly means that the course is at the lower level (see especially Sec. 1.4.3.2.) because these courses are developed specifically to provide breadth, foundation and basic knowledge, skills and abilities, all of which are hallmarks of general education. However, there are instances where an upper level course can be appropriate for general education. Likewise, there are instances when there are Oglethorpe courses which will satisfy one of the above requirements but which do not appear among the list of “guaranteed acceptable” courses. Determination such as those described in this paragraph are made on a case-by-case basis by the registrar, a student’s advisor and (when appropriate) after consultation with relevant faculty.

Prior to a student’s first semester at Oglethorpe, the registrar and personnel in the student success office will evaluate how many of the general education requirements have already been met due to (a) credits by examination (see Sec. 6.8.1.), (b) credits from joint enrollment and/or dual enrollment (see Sec. 6.8.2.), (c) credits by transfer (see Sec. 6.8.3.), and (d) credits through transfer under an articulation agreement (see Sec. 6.8.4.). Once that initial evaluation is completed, no further general education requirements can be satisfied by testing (CLEP, for example) or by taking courses as a transient student at any other college or university. Note that while all Oglethorpe’s general education courses are 4 semester hours, the University will accept appropriate ADP general education courses via transfer from other regionally accredited post-secondary institutions even if those courses are worth 3 semester hours rather than 4. The extra semester hour need not be made up.

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Bulletin - General Education

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7.1.1. The TU Core Curriculum