The General Studies Associate in Science degree program is designed primarily for those individuals whose special interests cannot be accommodated within a Liberal Arts degree program or for those who wish to develop a broader base of knowledge for intellectual stimulation and personal growth. With more open electives and fewer required courses than the Liberal Arts and Sciences degree, the General Studies degree offers greater flexibility for individual interests and needs. This program can also be suitable for transfer to a four-year institution, but more care and guidance in choosing electives will be necessary. Students interested in using the General Studies Degree for transfer are advised to check carefully the specific requirements of the institution to which they intend to transfer. With the assistance of an academic advisor, the student may create a program of study suitable either as a foundation to transfer to a four-year college or as preparation for particular self-defined goals.

GENERAL STUDIES CURRICULUM

Course ID

Title of Course

Credits

ENG* K101°

Composition

3

ENG* K102°

Literature and Composition

3

COM* K173++

Public Speaking

or

or

1-3

COM* K109

Speech Practice

MAT* K135°

Topics in Contemporary Math

or

or

3

HIGHER MAT

________________________________

Arts Elective (Any course in art, graphic arts, music, theatre, creative writing, ANT* K136 /MUS* K104 Music Cultures of the World, or ARC* K102 Architecture of the World)

__________

________________________________

3

Social Sciences Electives: (One course must be history. The other two may be chosen from: anthropology, economics, geography, history, international studies, political science, psychology, sociology, social sciences, the following courses: CJS* K101, K102, K107, K121, K201, K202, K210, K211, K213, K217, K241, K242, K244, K250, K253, K294; ECE* K182, K215, K225; all human services courses except HSE* K281 Practicum.

HIS_______

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

Natural Sciences Elective: (Courses in astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, ecology, ENV* K101 Environmental Studies, geology, marine science, nutrition, oceanography, physics, and SCI* K250 Process & Inquiry of Natural Science.  Does NOT include HLT* K155 Personal Health).

__________

________________________________

3-4

Advanced Liberal Arts & Sciences Electives: (Any 200 course in art, foreign languages, graphic arts, literature, philosophy, COM* K291, COM* K292, theatre, creative writing, natural sciences, social sciences (except HIS* K201 and HIS* K202), math, CJS*K201, K202, K210, K211, K213, K217, K241, K242, K244, K250, K253, K294; ECE* K215, K225, LAS K250.

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

Open Electives:

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

__________

________________________________

3

GRAND TOTAL

60-61

° Course has a prerequisite. Students should check course description.
++ It is important to note that no fewer than 60 credits are needed to complete the degree. If the one credit speech option is selected, students must be careful to take two four-credit courses somewhere in the program or take an extra course.
Students who are planning on transferring to a four year institution should check with their advisors, their future schools, or refer to the Selecting Electives list regarding General Education Requirements.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
In selecting courses, each student must fulfill the following requirements:

International/Intercultural Requirement
All degree-seeking students must complete one course which emphasizes a global, cross-cultural or multi-cultural perspective and encourages students to think beyond the boundaries of traditional Western European cultural perspectives.

Courses which satisfy this requirement are:

ANT* K105 Cultures: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
ANT* K136/MUS* K104 Music Cultures of the World
ANT* K242 Native Peoples of North America
BIO* K180/ENV K101 Principles of Environmental Science/Environmental Studies
ENG* K240 Studies in World Literature
ENG* K250 Studies in Ethnic Literature
ENG* K261Women Writers Across Cultures
GEO* K111 World Regional Geography
HIS* K121 World Civilizations I
HIS* K122 World Civilizations II
HIS* K218 African-American History
HIS* K244 Europe in the 20th Century
HIS* K257 War and Society in World Civilization
HIS* K271 Modern Asian
MUS* K104/ANT* K136 Music Cultures of the World
PHL* K151 World Religions
POL* K103 Introduction to International Relations
SOC* K103 Social Problems
SOC* K220 Race and Ethnicity Diversity
SPA* K211 Intermediate Spanish I
SPA* K212 Intermediate Spanish II
SSC* K210 World Issues

Oral Communication Requirement
All degree-seeking students must complete one course to develop competency in oral communication; the courses which meet this requirement are:
COM* K109 Speech Practice 1 credit
COM* K173 Public Speaking 3 credits

These requirements do not increase the total number of credits needed to complete the degree; they can be met within the 60-61 credits of the degree program by choosing appropriate electives. 

Program Outcomes and Statement of Core Values

Three Rivers Community College is committed to the belief that the best preparation for life, and especially for careers that require specialized training, is a broad acquaintance with human knowledge. The General Studies degree program is designed to give students the opportunity to explore knowledge from multiple perspectives. Students are challenged to become intellectually curious, aesthetically aware, and critically perceptive, and to develop their communicative and quantitative skills. Through the study of the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities, the General Studies degree program gives students the flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of the workplace and the foundation necessary for lifelong learning and personal growth.
Students completing the General Studies program will develop the ability to:

• think critically and creatively
• work collaboratively as well as independently
• communicate effectively both in speaking and in writing
• reason quantitatively as well as verbally
• value artistic expression
• move beyond a narrow focus and recognize broader historical, cultural, global, and scientific perspectives
• understand and reflect searchingly upon one's values and the values of others
  
  General education and career education are interactive components. They enrich each other by helping students to make career choices in keeping with their understanding of themselves and their world. Together, they provide the skills and perspectives that make possible the dignity of work and social contribution. They cultivate a framework of meaning, value, ethical purpose, and commitment that enrich every aspect of life. They foster an attitude of critical inquiry, curiosity, openness, and wonder that enables a spirit of lifelong learning.
  
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