Transfer Degree General Education Requirements

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The purpose of general education is to develop individuals who have sensitivity for, and an understanding of, the world around them. A comprehensive general education will help students develop moral values, critical thinking skills and investigative queries that will prepare them well for a rapidly changing world. Generally educated students possess the ability to communicate well, understand the scientific process and scientific inquiry, reason mathematically, appreciate the diverse cultures of the world, respect human history, and perceive the dynamics of human ethics and morality. The transfer general education curriculum for the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate of Arts in Teaching degrees at JJC encompasses the five categories of the IAI GECC (Illinois Articulation Initiative General Education Core Curriculum). Courses designated with an N indicate a course that will meet a non-Western course requirement. Courses designated with a D indicate a course that will meet a diversity requirement. To create a broader educational background, students cannot use two courses with the same IAI number to fulfill their general education requirement. An asterisk (*) indicates that the course has a prerequisite or required placement score.

The following are JJC’s general education outcomes:

Students will demonstrate organized and coherent communication, both oral and written.
Students will demonstrate the ability to accurately apply mathematical methods and techniques in various applications such as applied sciences, theoretical mathematics, physics, natural sciences and other applied sciences.
Students will demonstrate an ability to understand the physical world.
Students will demonstrate competence in using academic technology including finding, evaluating and utilizing appropriate information sources.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of cultural issues.
Students will demonstrate an ability to think critically and analytically.

Category I: Communication

Communication is the process of exchanging ideas and expressing one’s self in writing and speech. The complexities of today’s careers and modern life demand that individuals have acquired mastery of the basic skills in both of these areas. Completing all three courses listed below satisfies the general education core requirement.

Category II: Social and Behavioral Sciences

The study of social and behavioral sciences offers students an opportunity to gain insights into the complexities of humans. The social and behavioral sciences prepare students to analyze social, political, cultural, historical and economic institutions throughout the world. Students will develop an appreciation for human behavior and their place in their society and the world. In order to satisfy the requirements of this category, students must complete three courses from at least two subject areas. Students may not count both GEOG 102 and GEOG 106 .

Category III: Humanities/ Fine Arts

The study of the humanities and fine arts focuses students on what it means to be a human and the basic questions that confront all humans in their lives. Issues of beauty, courage, love, truth, justice, and morality are examined as intellectual and cultural expressions through the study of literature, language, philosophy, history and the creative and performing arts. Courses in this category reflect critical thinking through comparative writing and critical oral discussion. This category will expose students to the basic questions and substance of the humanities and fine arts and the methods used to approach these questions. Category III requires that students complete one course from the humanities grouping, one course from the fine arts grouping, and one additional course from either grouping. A non-Western literature course is highly recommended for those in the A.A.T. in Special Education degree program. Students may not count both FRCH 104 and SPAN 104 . Students may not count both ART 116 and ART 117 . Students may not count both MUS 102 and MUS 103 . Students may not count both PHIL 103 and PHIL 105 . Students may not count both BIO 149 and BIO 151 .

Humanities

Fine Arts

Category IV: Physical and Life Sciences

The study of science will enable students to develop an understanding of the methods of scientific inquiry, familiarize them with selected scientific principles from both the physical and life sciences, and enable them to make informed decisions about personal and social issues related to science. The study of science will enable students to gain an appreciation for the formation and testing of hypotheses and drawing conclusions from observed data. Category IV requires students to complete seven to eight credit hours with one course from the life sciences and one course from the physical sciences. For the Associate in Arts and the Associate of Arts in Teaching degree at JJC, students must complete at least one laboratory science within their seven to eight credit hours. For the Associate in Science degree, students must complete a laboratory science in both the life and physical sciences areas. Students may not count both BIO 104 and BIO 151 . Students may not count both CHEM 101 and CHEM 104 . Students may not count both GEOG 111 and GEOG 112 . Students may not count both PHYS 100 and PHYS 101 .

Category V: Mathematics

The mathematics component of general education focuses on a basic level of numerical reasoning to provide the base for developing a quantitatively literate college graduate. Courses fulfilling this requirement emphasize the development of mathematical reasoning and problem solving in settings the college graduate will encounter. Students are required to complete one mathematics course from the list below to satisfy the requirements for the Associate in Arts degree at JJC. The Associate in Science degree requires students to complete a minimum of five credits. The Associate of Arts in Teaching Special Education degree requires students to take MATH 124 .