General Education Program

General Education requirements apply to all students pursuing first bachelor’s degrees at the University of Michigan-Flint.  Students should plan to satisfy these requirements as early as possible to allow flexibility in completing program and upper division requirements.

The General Education courses delineated in the catalog are accepted at all schools and colleges at UM-Flint.   There are, however, additional general education classes available to students at each of the respective units.  Please check with your school or college to determine what those options might be.  The majority of general education requirements (below) apply institution-wide.  However, students should also consult their unit’s section of the Catalog for possible modifications.

Program Mission

The General Education Program at the University of Michigan-Flint fulfills an important academic role in the student’s total educational experience.  The Program is designed to provide training in reasoning and critical thinking, and to introduce the fundamental disciplines through which people seek to understand themselves, their surroundings, and cultures different from their own.  In accordance with the University’s mission, the General Education Program aims to educate all students in an environment that emphasizes literacy, critical thinking, and humanistic and scientific inquiry.

General Education Goals and Assessment

The General Education Program is designed to provide a broad base for learning both at the University of Michigan-Flint and after graduation.  While the General Education Program offers students considerable flexibility in selecting courses, it has a set of common educational objectives for all students, and its courses are designed to meet these objectives.  The following goals focus on four areas: Integration into the Learning Community of the University of Michigan-Flint; Enhanced Communication Skills (written, verbal and non-verbal); Enhanced Breadth and Interconnectedness of Knowledge; and Engaged Citizenship (local to global).  Courses are designed to meet these goals, which highlight qualities that prepare a liberally educated person for a successful and satisfying life.  The General Education Program participates in the University-wide effort to assess its academic programs.  Information on assessment plans, including goals, methods and outcomes is available at www.umflint.edu/assessment

Integration into the Learning Community of the University of Michigan-Flint

1. Reflect on one’s own learning processes
2. Demonstrate facility with research methods 
3. Demonstrate the ability to think critically
4. Demonstrate the ability to think creatively

Enhanced Communication Skills:  Written, Verbal and Non-Verbal

5. Produce competent written work
6. Participate in dialogue that involves respectful and careful listening
7. Use visual or non-verbal tools to enhance and decode messages

Enhanced Breadth and Interconnectedness of Knowledge

8. Demonstrate knowledge of culture and the arts, social structure and process, and the physical and natural world 
9. Demonstrate quantitative literacy and knowledge of economics, finance, health and well-being, and science and technology 
10. Use multiple perspectives and methodologies to analyze real or hypothetical problems 

Engaged Citizenship:  Local to Global

11. Investigate the nature of citizenship 
12. Apply knowledge to complex issues such as social justice, globalization, economic growth and distribution, environmental sustainability, public health, etc., in increasingly broad spheres of influence 

Program Requirements

The General Education Program consists of requirements in four components: First Year Experience, English Composition, Distribution, and Capstone Experience. A worksheet is provided at the end of this Catalog section.

1. UNV 100:  First Year Experience (FYE).
   Three credits in courses designated applicable to the First Year Experience requirement.  The letters FYE immediately following the credit parentheses of a course indicates that the credit applies to the First Year Experience General Education requirement.  This course is multidisciplinary in approach and exposes students to multiple perspectives of a particular theme. These topics can vary broadly but all make connections between local, national and global issues.  In addition, students learn how to navigate through the university community and are introduced to research and information literacy skills that will benefit them throughout their academic careers.  Students entering the university with fewer than 25 transfer credit hours must fulfill the FYE requirement within their first academic year. Please refer to the schedule of classes for specific sections and topics.
2. English Composition.
   Completion of ENG 112 or the equivalent. This requirement is ordinarily satisfied by ENG 111 and 112 (or EHS 120).  Some students will need additional credits in ENG 100 and ENG 109 to complete the requirement.  Reading test scores and a writing placement exam are used to determine placement.  See the English Department pages for more information on reading placement.  Based on their performance on the Writing Placement Exam, all incoming students and transfer students who do not transfer in sufficient applicable writing credits will be placed in the appropriate starting course: ENG 109 for 3 credits, ENG 109 for 1 credit concurrent with ENG 111/112, ENG 111, or ENG 112 (only students with previous applicable credit for ENG 111 are eligible for any ENG 112 placement).  Writing Placement Exam performance will not exempt students from ENG 111 or ENG 112 but rather will determine if additional help through ENG 109 is needed during or before completing the ENG 111 and ENG 112 sequence.  Transferring students must have completed a sufficient number of credits in writing courses that meet the stated outcomes of UM-Flint’s writing courses to fulfill the English Composition requirement.  Students transferring from schools on the quarter system must in most cases have completed three quarters of appropriate composition courses in order to fulfill the English Composition requirement.  Students selected for the Honors Program ordinarily satisfy this requirement by completing HON 155 and HON 156.  The University strongly recommends that students complete this requirement as early as possible in their first 45 credit hours of coursework.

3. General Education Distribution.
   The General Education program at the University of Michigan-Flint is designed to encourage all students to gain an understanding of the world around them, to be capable of informed decisions and actions, and to effectively communicate their reasoning to a wide audience.  The program provides both basic knowledge of the components of society and a framework upon which future knowledge can be added.  Students will learn important skills essential to becoming lifelong learners and contributors to society at all levels of community: city, region, nation, and world.
   Students will select courses that fulfill the requirements in humanities, social science, global studies, fine arts, health and well-being, finance and quantitative literacy, natural science and technology.  The credit requirement for each category is designated in the table at the end of this section, and is outlined below:
   Humanities Courses (H).  
   Humanity courses explore multiple understandings of the human condition. These courses use ideas, stories, and words to help us make sense of our lives by addressing dilemmas and acknowledging ambiguity and paradox.  Six credits in courses designated as applicable to the Humanities requirement.  The letter H immediately following the credit parentheses of a course indicates that the credit applies to this requirement.
   Social Science Courses (S).  
   Social science courses focus on people and the institutions within which they interact as individuals, and in groups, societies, nations, and states. These courses analyze social structures and processes or cultural meanings associated with collective human interactions.  Six credits in courses designated as applicable to the Social Science requirement.  The letter S immediately following the credit parentheses of a course indicate that the credit applies to this requirement.
   Global Studies Courses (GS).  
   Courses in Global Studies develop awareness of global issues, and the diversity of cultures and languages, perspectives, histories, lived experiences, and values. These courses help students understand diverse political and societal realities by addressing social, cultural, political, economic, or historical factors.  Three credits in courses designated as applicable to the Global Studies requirement.  The letters GS immediately following the credit parentheses of a course indicates that the credit applies to this requirement.
   Fine Arts (F).  
   Courses whose primary focus is the creation, re-creation, and study of creative processes in the visual and performing arts that reflect cultural development and growth, as well as the current and historical trends of global cultures through aesthetic concepts.  Three credits in courses designated as applicable to the Fine Arts requirement.  The letter F immediately following the credit parentheses of a course indicates that the credit applies to this requirement.
   Health and Well-Being (HW).  
   Courses in health and well-being develop an awareness of health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. These courses focus on exploring multiple dimensions and multiple social determinants of health including diverse domestic and global health practices, issues and policies.  Three credits in courses designated as applicable to the Health and Well-Being requirement.  The letters HW immediately following the credit parentheses of a course indicate that the credit applies to this requirement.
   Finance and Quantitative Literacy Courses (FQ).  
   Finance and Quantitative Literacy courses develop quantitative reasoning skills that can be applied effectively in life and work across multiple domains.  Three credits in courses designated as applicable to the Finance and Quantitative Literacy requirement.  The letters FQ immediately following the credit parentheses of a course indicate that the credit applies to this requirement.
   Natural Sciences (N/NL).  
   Natural Science courses focus on the scientific method(s), principles, concepts, models and experimentation, as well as the limitations of such endeavors, to explore natural phenomena to advance a better understanding of the natural world. These courses include laboratory experiences to further develop a student’s understanding of the scientific method, observation skills, and experimental methods and techniques.  Four credits in laboratory science courses designated as applicable to the Natural Sciences requirement.  The letters N and/or NL immediately following the credit parentheses of a course indicates that the credit applies to this requirement.  Note: Applicable credits must include at least one credit with N/NL designation, indicating laboratory experience.
   Technology (T).  
   Technology courses develop knowledge and understanding of technological processes and systems, and their interrelationship with life, society, or environment. Courses will focus explicitly on technology or the use of technology to solve complex problems.  Three credits in courses designated as applicable to the Technology requirement.  The letter T immediately following the credit parentheses of a course indicate that the credit applies to this requirement. 

4. Capstone Experience (CAP).  
   Three credits in courses designated as applicable to the Capstone requirement.  The capstone will foster synthesis of knowledge gained through general education.  Furthermore, it will promote coherence and relevance of general education to the major.  The letters CAP immediately following the credit parentheses of a course indicate that the credit applies to this requirement.  
    

General Education Requirements Worksheet

The General Education Worksheet can be found here .

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