General Education
Norwich University General Education Goals are designed to provide students with the intellectual tools to experience, explore and master new topics throughout a period of life-long learning. To this end, at least forty credit hours in every major must be dedicated to basic literacy in English, mathematics, humanities, social sciences, and science outside the area of major concentration. Required 100 level courses in English, language, and mathematics must be completed by the end of the sophomore year. If a student fails to meet this requirement, he/she must enroll for these courses first semester junior year. Students majoring in both liberal arts and professional programs must complete the following competencies to meet graduation requirements:
- Students must be able to write with clarity and precision, and read and listen with comprehension. They must be able to exercise the skills of independent inquiry, that is, to find, analyze, synthesize, and critically evaluate information. This objective will be met beginning with EN 101- EN 102, be reinforced by reading and writing throughout the curriculum, and culminate in a capstone course in each major. Wherever graded written work is required, part of the grade must be used to evaluate clarity and precision, and to reinforce the writing mechanics learned in EN 101- EN 102.
- Students will achieve an understanding of mathematical and quantitative reasoning and its place in today’s world. They should understand how to construct mathematical models as a means of formulating problems and be able to apply appropriate logical, quantitative, and technological methods to solve problems. All students must complete two mathematics courses, exclusive of MA 005 Preparatory Mathematics and MA 103 College Algebra I and MA 160 Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I.
- Students will possess a knowledge of and appreciation for the variety of human expression found in cultures and civilizations of the United States and the world. This will be achieved by requiring all students to take one course in history, one course in literature, and one course in arts and humanities.
- Students will gain a basic level of literacy in current scientific knowledge and theories and develop an appreciation for the natural world, in part through classroom and hands-on laboratory experiences by completing two courses in laboratory science. This will expose students to the scientific method and provide the critical thinking skills, necessary to make intelligent, well informed decisions.
- Students will possess an understanding of the institutions and processes that are characteristic of human societies. This will be accomplished beginning with a course in psychology, sociology, economics or political science.
- Students must be able to think critically and make ethical decisions. Critical thinking begins with integration of course work from all general education areas and culminates in the capstone course in each major. Ethical decision-making begins with adherence to the honor code. Students must be able to recognize ethical issues and articulate ethical decisions. This will be achieved in a course that includes the requirement that students deal with ethical ambiguities and articulate ethical decisions.
- Students are encouraged to develop leadership skills through participation in leadership classes and activities.
Specific Courses that Fulfill the General Education Requirements
| English Requirement | ||
| EN 102, EN 108, or equivalent must be completed by the end of the second year. | ||
| Mathematics Requirement | ||
| Complete two 100 level or above MA courses (MA 005, 103 and 160 do NOT count) | ||
| MA 005 Preparatory Mathematics (Must be finished by the end of the first year if it is required.) | ||
| One hundred level Math courses must be finished by the end of the second year. | ||
| History Requirement | ||
| Complete One History Course (HI). Any History course except HI 209 | ||
| Literature Requirement | ||
| (Bachelor of Arts candidates have more restrictive literature requirements.) | ||
| Complete One Literature Course From: | ||
English (EN): | ||
| World Literature I | 3 | |
| World Literature II | 3 | |
| Modern Short Story | 3 | |
| Children's Literature | 3 | |
| Survey of British Literature I | 3 | |
| Survey of British Literature II | 3 | |
| Survey of American Literature I | 3 | |
| Survey of American Literature II | 3 | |
| Technical Aspects of Theatrical Design | 3 | |
| The Literature of Leadership | 3 | |
| Science Fiction Literature | 3 | |
| Crime in Literature | 3 | |
| Literature of the Sea | 3 | |
| Military Literature | 3 | |
| Thematic Seminar-Literature | 3 | |
| Senior Seminar | 3 | |
French (FR): | ||
| A Survey of French Literature I | 3 | |
| A Survey of French Literature II | 3 | |
| French Literature of the Twentieth Century I | 3 | |
| French Literature of the Twentieth Century II | 3 | |
| Topics Course (if literature topic) | 3 | |
| Seminar: Topics in French Literature | 3 | |
| Reading and Research on a Topic in French Literature and Civilization | 3 | |
German (GR): | ||
| Survey of German Lit I: From the Beginnings to 1848 | 3 | |
| Survey of German Literature II: 1848 to 1945 | 3 | |
| Survey of German Literature III: 1945 to the Present | 3 | |
| Topics Course (if literature topic) | 3 | |
| Seminar on a Topic in German Literature and Culture | 3 | |
| Reading and Research in German Literature or Civilization | 3 | |
Spanish (SP): | ||
| Introduction to the Literature of Spain I | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Literature of Spain II | 3 | |
| Hispano-American Literature I | 3 | |
| Hispano-American Literature II | 3 | |
| Topics Course (if literature topic) | 3 | |
| Seminar: Topics in Spanish or Latin-American Literature and Culture | 3 | |
| Reading and Research in Spanish or Latin-American Literature and Culture | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities Requirement | ||
| Complete One of the following: | ||
| Music Appreciation | 3 | |
| History of Jazz | 3 | |
All Philosophy (PH) courses | ||
All modern language courses (Chinese, French, German, and Spanish) numbered 112 and above | ||
All Fine Arts (FA) courses | ||
All Studio Arts (SA) courses | ||
Communication: | ||
| Introduction to Mass Media | 3 | |
| Interpersonal Communications | 3 | |
| Television Criticism | 3 | |
| Communications Law and Ethics | 3 | |
| Social Science Requirement | ||
| Complete One of the Following: | ||
Psychology | PY | |
Sociology | SO | |
Economics | EC | |
Political Science | PO | |
| Ethics Requirement | ||
Complete Complete One Course From Below | ||
| Project Delivery and Documentation | 4 | |
| Communications Law and Ethics | 3 | |
| Professional Issues | 3 | |
| Conference | 0 | |
| Senior Seminar | 3 | |
| Leadership and Ethics | 3 | |
| Survey of Ethics | 3 | |
| Business Ethics | 3 | |
| Environmental Ethics | 3 | |
| Criminal Justice Ethics | 3 | |
| Medical Ethics | 3 | |
| History and Systems of Psychology | 3 | |
| Leadership & Management in Sports Medicine | 3 | |
| The Capstone Project | 6 | |
| Science (with laboratory) Requirement | ||
| Complete Two Lab Science Courses from BI, CH, GL or PS | ||
| Capstone Requirement | ||
| complete one Capstone course (as indicated in Major requirements) | ||