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General Education Requirements

General Education Requirements WorkSheet

Academic Information

Organization of the Curriculum 

Humanities Division
Communication
English
History and Historic Preservation
Modern Languages and Literatures
Philosophy
Religion
World Literature

Social Sciences Division
Economics
Education
Management
Prelaw Studies
Political Science and International Relations
Sociology and Anthropology
Special Education
Women’s Studies

Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division
Biological Sciences
Chemistry
Computer Science
Mathematics
Physics
Premedical Studies
Psychology

Arts Division
Art and Art History
Dance
Music
Theatre

Interdisciplinary Studies Division
American Studies
Cognitive Studies
Individualized Interdisciplinary Major
International and  Intercultural Studies
Judaic Studies
Peace Studies

Interinstitutional Program
B.A./B.S. Science and Engineering Program– Goucher College/Johns Hopkins University

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree

One hundred twenty (120) credit hours are required for the degree. A student must achieve a of minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average and a minimum grade of C- in each course that is counted toward fulfilling the requirements of the major. Credit hours at Goucher are defined on a semester basis, as distinct from a trimester or quarter basis. Candidates for the degree must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours at Goucher College.

Residency Requirement

Ordinarily, the last 24 credit hours should be completed at Goucher. Exceptions to the latter rule may be granted for approved summer and study-abroad programs or other programs with the approval of the major department and the associate dean for undergraduate studies. Approved non-Goucher credits taken within the last 24 credit hours shall ordinarily be completed within two semesters following the petition date. Contact the Registrar’s Office for approval of specific non-Goucher courses.

General Education Requirements

Students entering Goucher prior to Fall 2006 and transfer students admitted either fall or spring semester with at least 27 credits will be required to meet the general education requirements in effect during the 2005-06 academic year. Reinstated students should consult the information on page 16. All incoming first-year students and all students who transfer in less than 27 credits beginning Fall 2006 will be subject to the new general education requirements listed below.

One course may satisfy no more than two of these requirements.

In fulfilling these requirements, each student must take at least one course in each of the following:

Division I: The Humanities;

Division II: The Social Sciences;

Division III: The Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and

Division IV: The Arts

1. Students must demonstrate proficiency in written communication. (For a more detailed description of this requirement, refer to the College Writing Proficiency section beginning on page 35.) This will be satisfied by demonstrating proficiency within the English composition sequence of courses or through a portfolio.

ENG 104

ENG 105

ENG 106

Writing across the curriculum (WAC) course

 2. Students must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language through the intermediate level. (For a more detailed description of this requirement, refer to the Foreign Language Proficiency section in the Academic Catalogue on page 36.)

ARB 130	FR 130 or 130G	FRO 140	GER 130 or 130G	IT 130
IT 130G	JS 130	RUS 130	SP 130, 130G, 130V or 130C

 3. Students must become informed global citizens and gain intercultural awareness through a study-abroad experience. (For a more detailed description of this requirement, refer to the Study Abroad section in the Academic Catalogue, beginning on page 40.)

ART 272G	AST 110G	BIO 272G	CHE 272Y	COM 272G or 272Y	DAN 272Y	ED 272Y
ENG 272G or 272Y	FR 272G or 272Y	GER 130G	GER 230G	GER 272G or 272Y	HIS 272G or 272Y	IT 110G
IT 120G	IT130G	IT 272G or  272Y	JS 272G or 272Y	LAM 272G or 272Y	MGT 272G	MUS 272G or 272Y
PCE 272Y	PHL 272G or 272Y	PSC 272Y	RLG 272G or 272Y	RUS 272G	SOC 272Y	SP 120G or 120C
SP 130G or 130C	SP 220G	SP 229CR	SP 230CR	SP 238G	SP 272Y	THE 272G or 272Y
WS 272G or 272Y

Study abroad courses sponsored by Goucher or by other colleges may fulfill this requirement.

4. Students must become acquainted with different ages, societies, and cultures and learn how to use a variety of historical sources. This will be satisfied by courses identified throughout the curriculum that deal with the past.

ANT 238/HIS 227	ART 103	ART 260	ART 266	ART 268	ART 273	ART 276	ART 277
ART/HIS 278	ART 280	ART 281	ART 284	COM 219	COM 239	COM 245	DAN 131 with DAN 231
DAN 251	DAN 255	ENG 211	ENG 212	ENG 230	ENG 232	ENG 240	ENG 241
ENG 246	ENG 249	ENG 254	ENG 257	ENG 259	ENG 260	ENG 264	ENG 275
ENG 276	ENG 350	ENG 330	FR 258	GER/HIS 233	GER/HIS/JS 251	GER 259/HIS 237/JS 259	HIS 110
HIS 111	HIS 113	HIS 116	HIS 117	HIS 120	HIS/LAM 268	HP 110	ISP 110Y
JS/RLG 205	JS/RLG 242	JS/RLG 247	LAM 105	MA 260	MUS 108	MUS 109	MUS 115
MUS 117	MUS 260	MUS 349	PCE/HIS 257	PCE/HIS /SOC 262	PHL 157	PHL 216	PHL 218
PHL 219	PHL 224/THE 202	PHL/RLG 226	PHL 260	PHL/RLG 268	PSC 203	RLG 200	RLG 206
RLG 225	SOC 271	SP 350	WS 225	WS 300

 5. Students must be able to reason abstractly and appreciate the elegance of abstract structure. This will be satisfied by a course in mathematics or logic. Courses from across the curriculum may be taken to satisfy this requirement. They include the following:

CS 105	CS 116	EC 206	MA 100	MA 140	MA 110
MA 113	MA 141	MA 155	MA 160	MA 170	MA 171
MA 180	MA 190	MA 216	MA 221	MA 222	MA 240
PHL 176	PHY 280	PSY 200

 6. Students must understand the methods of scientific discovery and experimental design. This will be satisfied by a natural science course with a laboratory, including any of the following:

AST 110	AST 110G	BIO 105	BIO 111	BIO 140	BIO 170
BIO 210/with 214	BIO 220/with 224	BIO 240/with 241	BIO 260	BIO 324/with 324L	BIO 327/with 328
BIO 333/with 334	BIO 343/with 343L	BIO 354/with 354L	BIO 362/with 363	BIO 378/with 378L	CHE 106L/ with  CHE 105
CHE 107	CHE 111/with 112 or 112H	CHE 294	CHE 395Y	COG 110	PHY 115
PHY 116	PHY 125	PHY 126	PHY 220/ with 230	PSY 114	PSY 111/with 112

 

7. Students must acquire problem-solving and research capability by identifying, locating, evaluating, and effectively using information. This will be satisfied by courses identified throughout the curriculum.

ART 249	AST 395	BIO 324	BIO 374	BIO 379	BIO 382
BIO 384	BIO 387	CHE 294	CHE 295 or 295Y	CHE 395Y	CHE 330
COM 262	CS 320	CS 325	CS 340	EC 396	EC 397
ENG 200	ENG 241	ENG 340	ENG 361	MA 241	MA 260
MA 347	MGT 210	MGT 320	MGT 331	MGT 380	MUS 210
PCE 205	PCE 210	PCE 325	PHL 218	PHL/RLG 235	PHL/COG 275
PHY 220/with 280	PHY 395	PSC/HIS 241	PSC/WS 260	PSY 252	PSY 255
RLG 331	RLG 355	WS 252	WS 320

NOTE: Prior to 09/FA the following fulfilled Gen.Ed. #7: WS 230, WS 225, WS 250

 8. Students must be able to analyze and understand the creative process, assimilate experience and communicate it. This course will be satisfied by courses identified throughout the curriculum.

ART 102	ART 114	ART 127	ART 137	ART 201/COM 202	ART / COM 203
ART 204	ART 206	ART 213	ART 225	ART 229	ART 230
ART 238	ART 310	ART 312	ART 331	ART 380	COM 132
COM 189	COM/THE 207	COM 286	COM 233	DAN 250	DAN 260
ENG 120	ENG 202	ENG 205	ENG 226	ENG 305	ENG 307
MUS 101	MUS 104	MUS 105	MUS 106	MUS 121	MUS 152
MUS 153	MUS 205	MUS 206	MUS 210	MUS 305	MUS 306
PCE/THE 131	PCE 242	THE 120	THE 140/with 140L	THE 205	THE 220
THE 231

 9. Students must be able to interpret words, images, objects, and/or actions that are expressions of human culture. This course will be satisfied by courses identified throughout the curriculum. (Refer to DAN numbering changes following this section)

ANT 107	ART 103	ART 260	ART 262	ART 266	ART 268	ART 273
ART 276	ART 277	ART/HIS 278	ART 280	ART 281	ART 284	ART 286
ART 310	ART 331	COM 219	COM 234	COM 237	COM 239	COM 245
COM 256	COM 257	DAN 114/with 120 or 121  or 220 or 221 or 222 or 321 or 322 or 323	DAN 115/with 120 or 121 or 220 or 221 or 222 or 321 or 322 or 323	DAN 131 with DAN 231	DAN 190	DAN 217/with 120 or 121 or 220 or 221 or 222 or 321 or 322 or 323
DAN 218/with 120 or 121 or 220 or 221 or 222 or 321 or 322 or 323	DAN 219/with 120 or 121 or 220 or 221 or 222 or 321 or 322 or 323	DAN 250	DAN 251	DAN 255	ENG 111	ENG 211
ENG 212	ENG 215	ENG/WS 222	ENG 232	ENG 240	ENG 246	ENG 254
ENG 255	ENG 256	ENG 257	ENG 259	ENG 260	ENG 264	ENG 270
ENG 273	ENG 276	ENG 277	ENG 280	ENG 285	ENG 330	ENG 340
ENG 350	ENG 361	FR 245	FR 256	FR 351	GER/WL 250	GER 260/HIS 229/JS 246
HIS/WS 282	JS/RLG 205	JS/RLG 242	JS/RLG 247	LAM/WS 217	LAM 280	MGT 221
MGT 229	MGT 231	MUS 100	MUS 101	MUS 104	MUS 106	MUS 108
MUS 115	MUS 117	MUS 152	MUS 153	MUS 203	MUS 205	MUS 206
MUS 260	MUS 305	MUS 349	PCE 124	PCE 231	PHL 120	PHL 212/ART 207
RLG 130	RLG 153	RLG 200	RLG 207	RLG 209	RUS 251	RUS/WL 254
RUS/WL 259	RUS/WL 269	RUS 395	RUS 396	SOC 106	SP 254	SP 294
THE 103	THE 200	THE 204	THE 211	THE 220	THE 231	WL 210
WL 230	WS 100	WS 150	WS 224	WS 231

Dance numbering has changed as of 09/FA:

DAN 217 previously DAN 116     DAN 218 previously DAN 117

DAN 219 previously DAN 118     DAN 120 previously DAN 124

DAN 121 previously DAN 125     DAN 220 previously DAN 126

DAN 221 previously DAN 127     DAN 222 previously DAN 128

DAN 131 previously DAN 195     DAN 231 previously DAN 196  

DAN 321 previously DAN 210     DAN 322 previously DAN 211

DAN 323 previously DAN 212

                                   

10. Students must understand the complex nature of social structures and/or human relationships that involve issues of inequality and difference. This will be satisfied by courses identified throughout the curriculum.

AMS /RLG 238	AFR 200	ANT 107	ANT 238/HIS 227	COM 213	COM 237	COM 257
EC 100	EC 101	EC 102	EC 241	EC 242	EC 250	EC 265
EC 271	EC 320	EC 396	EC 397	ED 103	ED 215	ENG/WS 222
ENG 249	ENG 275	ENG 285	FR 258	FR 295	FR 351	GER/WL 250
GER 259/HIS 237/JS 259	HIS 110	HIS 111	HIS 113	HIS 116	HIS 117	HIS 120
HIS/LAM 268	HIS/WS 282	ISP 110Y	JS/RLG 247	LAM 105	LAM/WS 217	LAM /WS 226
LAM/WL 280	MGT 221	MGT 231	MGT 245	MGT 331	MUS 109	PCE 120
PCE 124	PCE 148	PCE 205	PCE 231	PCE 242	PCE 325	PHL 105
PHL 201	PHL 217	PHL 231	PHL 243	PHL 245	PHL 254	PHL/WS 276
PHL 280	PSC/WS 260	PSY 226	PSY 230	RLG/WS 236	RLG 273	RLG 274
RLG 355	SOC 106	SP 320	THE /PCE 131	WL 210	WL 230	WS 100
WS 150	WS 224	WS 225	WS 230	WS 231	WS 250	WS 265
WS 276	WS 300	WS 320

 

11. Students must explore the ecological and/or policy dimensions of environmental sustainability. This will be identified by courses throughout the curriculum.

AMS 210	ART 262	BIO 170	BIO 240	BIO 243 in Costa Rica	BIO 244 in Costa Rica
BIO 333	BIO 343	CHE 106L/ with CHE 105	CHE 270	CHE 295E	COM 225
EC 225	ENV 140	MA 141	MA 155	MA 171	MA 216E
MGT 141	PHL 205	PSC 140	PSC 285	Adv. Placement Environmental Studies score of 4 or 5

Courses that may fulfill a general education requirement pending the topic given in a semester are : ART 272G (#3), BIO 272G (#11), FR 330 (#8), FR 272G (#9), FR 333 (#11), LAM 272Y (#10), and THE 272Y (#9). If the topic allows the course to fulfill the requirement in 09/FA, it is * starred above.

*College Writing Proficiency

All students are expected to achieve writing proficiency, which is evaluated twice during their college career. College writing proficiency (CWP) is taught and assessed through the writing program. The achievement of CWP signifies that students have learned to write clear and coherent academic prose and complete library research. Students achieve writing proficiency in the major through courses designated by individual departments. These courses insure that students have mastered the particular genres, analytical methods, and styles of their majors.

All incoming first-year and transfer students should submit a writing placement essay, which the writing program uses to recommend the best route to achieve college writing proficiency. Most first-year students should take ENG 104 to prepare for college-level writing. Some advanced first-year students will be placed in ENG 105 during the fall semester.

Most students achieve CWP in ENG 105, which teaches academic research writing. Though students who earn a B- or better in ENG 105 are likely to be writing well enough to achieve CWP, the grade itself is not sufficient evidence that the student writes proficiently. CWP is determined only by the writer’s consistent ability to meet the criteria, and may be awarded to students who score somewhat less than a B- in the course, or may be withheld from students who score a B- or better (though the latter case is rare).

Some ENG 104 students may be awarded CWP at the end of ENG 104. To qualify, students should consistently meet the CWP criteria and achieve an A or A- in the course. They should also demonstrate research writing abilities equivalent to those required of ENG 105 students. Students may ask their ENG 104 instructors to consider submitting a portfolio of papers to the Writing Program at the end of the semester. Only papers submitted by instructors will be evaluated for CWP. All ENG 104 students should register for ENG 105 in case their portfolios do not earn exemption.

Students placed in ENG 103 should take this course in the fall of their first year. Most of these students will take ENG 104 in the spring. However, students with at least an A- average in ENG 103 may, upon the recommendation of their instructor, submit a portfolio to the director of the writing program. The director will then decide if the student should be exempted from ENG 104. Students exempted from ENG 104 should take ENG 105 in the spring.

First-year students who do not earn CWP credit in ENG 105, as well as most transfer students who arrive as sophomores or higher, must take either ENG 106 (Academic Writing III) or a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) course in their next semester, or submit a writing portfolio in each semester until CWP is achieved. Students who earn below a C- average on papers written for ENG 105 should take ENG 106, but students who are nearly proficient may take a WAC course. Courses offered as part of the WAC program are described in the course offering booklet published by Student Administrative Services. For more information on criteria for CWP, see College Writing Proficiency in the Microsoft Outlook public folder titled “Writing Program.”

**Foreign Language Proficiency

Competence in a language other than one’s own is an integral part of a liberal arts education. Language training has broad cultural implications and develops skills necessary for many careers. All students are required to complete the intermediate level of a foreign language. A minimum grade of C- is required to progress from one language level to another. Students taking a 130-level language course pass/no pass who achieve class scores lower than 70 percent must take the course again. Native speakers and exceptionally well-prepared students in the languages offered at Goucher College may be exempted from the foreign language requirement on recommendation of the Modern Languages and Literatures Department, or through a written or oral placement test (required of all entering students).

Students intending to complete the language proficiency out of residence must get prior approval from the Modern Languages and Literatures Department and complete a minimum of 12 credits (or the last intermediate course offered at that institution). A minimum grade of C is required. If a student intends to fulfill any portion of the foreign language requirement abroad, written approval by both the Modern Languages and Literatures Department and the Office of International Studies is required prior to departure. Students may be required to demonstrate proficiency upon return to campus. Students participating in summer and winter intensive language programs other than those run by Goucher faculty will also need prior approval if they are seeking Goucher credit. Less commonly taught languages not offered at Goucher College will be accepted provided that students fulfill the same requirements as those for languages offered at Goucher. Students must notify the chair of the Modern Languages and Literature Department of their intentions to fulfill their language requirement at another institution, and complete a form specifically designed for this purpose (available online). Results of placement tests taken at institutions in the area must be sent to the chair of the Modern Languages and Literatures Department.

The Department of Modern Languages will evaluate transfer credits of language courses taken at another institution on an individual basis. Ordinarily, a student who has submitted transfer credits at the beginner and/or intermediate level with a grade of C or above and is placed in the first semester of a language no transfer credit will be given; if placed in the second semester of a language up to four transfer credits could be given; if placed in the third semester of a language, up to eight transfer credits could be given. For students who place out of Goucher College’s intermediate level, up to 12 transfer credits could be given and the language general education requirement will be fulfilled.

In order to ensure timely completion of the college foreign language requirement, students need to begin to study a language during their first year. Transfer students who enter as sophomores or higher should begin to study a foreign language immediately. For all students, unless there are extenuating circumstances, the final course to satisfy the college foreign language requirement should be attempted in the fall semester of the senior year.

***Study Abroad 

Transfer Students and the study abroad requirement

All transfer students who have completed study abroad in college-level academic work for which at least three credits are accepted by Goucher will have satisfied the study abroad liberal education requirement upon enrollment.

Because the requirement will have been completed before actual enrollment at Goucher, no travel voucher will be issued to these students before, during, or after their travel experience.  Moreover, because they will already have completed their study abroad requirement, they will not be issued a travel voucher for any subsequent study abroad they undertake before graduation, whether through Goucher or through some other institution.

As with all college level work completed elsewhere, final approval of credits for study abroad work completed before enrollment at Goucher must be confirmed by the registrar after a review of a final, official transcript of that work.  The registrar will also confirm at that time whether the work approved for credit at Goucher satisfies any academic requirements, including the study abroad requirement.

All students are expected to make a good faith effort to complete the study abroad requirement. Students who cannot complete the study aborad requirement may petition the associate dean for international studies for an exemption. Students who are granted an exemption from the international study requirement will be required to substitute an off-campus experience to satisfy this requirement.

The following are also required for graduation:

PHYSICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Goucher students, including those who transfer to the college, are required to complete two physical education courses by the end of the junior year. The physical education requirement for graduation is defined as:

• Wellness 135

• One activity course

Students who successfully complete a season on a varsity team, a dance performance through the Dance Department, some, but not all, dance courses or a riding course may use that to satisfy the activity component. Goucher does not recognize audits or unsupervised activity as a substitute for course work in physical education.

Students with physical education or health science transfer credits on an official transcript from another college may be able to satisfy all or part of Goucher’s physical education requirement. These students should submit course syllabus, catalogue description, or certification document for consideration.

Students with a gap of five years or more in their continuous education, or those over the age of 25, are exempt from the physical education requirements but are encouraged to enroll in or audit any physical education course.

Frontiers

Frontiers-the first-year seminar program offered in the fall semester-is required of all first-year students. Frontiers introduces new students to the liberal arts and sciences and invites them to become active participants in Goucher’s rich intellectual community. Students learn critical thinking, reading, and writing skills that will enable them to understand and engage an ever more complex world. They are encouraged to examine their assumptions and values as they explore those of others. The seminars also emphasize the value to the academic environment of collaborative learning and information technologies, and foster independent thought, tolerance for the perspectives of others, intellectual curiosity, and the joy of learning. Goucher ll students who enter as first-year students are required to enroll in Frontiers.

Connections (FYE 134)

Connections is a required first-semester course that continues the orientation process and helps students as they draw connections between what goes on inside the classroom and experiences in life outside of class. First-year students are introduced to people and resources throughout the Goucher community that can be used as navigational tools as they get acquainted with the college. They also begin to form a learning community in which participants come to know one another, develop a sense of respect for different viewpoints, and learn the value of individual responsibility and accountability. All incoming first year students must pass this course to be eligible for graduation with the exception of Goucher ll students who are exempt from this requirement. Goucher ll students are exempt from connections (FYE134) for graduation.

Goucher College reserves the right to change or cancel without notice programs of study, requirements, course offerings, policies, regulations, procedures, calendar, financial aid, fees, or other matters. Revisions and additions to the class schedule are published at the beginning of each semester and are updated in a timely manner. Failure to read this booklet does not constitute a reason for noncompliance with the stated college policy. It is the responsibility of the student to keep apprised of all changes. The Goucher College Class Schedule Booklet is not to be regarded as a contract.