General Studies

Students may seek an academic major in general studies. Students outside UMUC-Europe and UMUC-Asia should not select this major. Students should contact an academic advisor for additional information about this major.

Major in General Studies

The general studies major allows students to draw from various disciplines that provide a body of knowledge appropriate to an identified area of interest (for example, an aspect of culture, a historical period, or a geographical location). The interdisciplinary approach emphasizes analysis and synthesis of diverse theory and practice.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in general studies will be able to

Understand and apply key concepts from chosen disciplines.
Develop effective written and oral communication skills consistent with the chosen areas of study.
Apply skills and concepts to problems of modern life.
Define an approach grounded in the chosen disciplines and appropriate to the study of a specific topic, area, or theme.
Develop effective skills in cross-disciplinary comparison, historical and critical analysis, research, and evaluation.
Use computers for communication and research.
Demonstrate information literacy through research and resource evaluation appropriate to the chosen area of study.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in general studies requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework including 30 credits for the major (indicated by ); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the General Studies Major

Coursework for a major in general studies includes the following:

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill the requirements for the BS in general studies if course selection in the major is approved. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an academic advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.
Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) and cross-curricular requirements (in civic responsibility, historical, and international perspectives) may be found on the GER page.

First Courses
(to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and English composition courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

ENGL 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 105 Mathematics: Contemporary Topics and Applications (3)
or MATH 106 Finite Mathematics
or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses
(to be taken within the first 30 credits)

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature, or foreign language course to fulfill the first general education requirement in arts and humanities

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory

ENGL 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ writing

GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences

IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)

Foundation Courses
(to be taken within the first 60 credits)

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences (discipline must differ from first)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in biologicaland physical sciences

HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other course(s) to fulfill the second general education requirement in arts and humanities (discipline must differfrom first) and the cross-curricular requirement for historical perspective

IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
or other course(s) to fulfill the second general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/computing and the cross-curricular requirement in civic responsibility

SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ writing or speech

HUMN 351 Myth and Culture (3)
or other course to fulfill the cross-curricular requirement in international perspective

Additional Required Courses
(to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

ENGL 391/391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ upper-level intensive writing

Coursework for the major (30)

15 credits in first discipline (at least 9 of which are upper-level)

15 credits in second discipline (at least 6 of which are upper-level)

Minor and/or Elective Courses
(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (46)

Total credits for BS in general studies (120)

For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor's degree, students should refer to the overall bachelor's degree requirements.

Last updated: 16 October 2006