2007-2008 Undergraduate Academic Catalog - Plymouth State ...

ProgramsForeign Language Requirement for the Bachelor ofArts DegreeThe minimal foreign language requirement for all Bachelor ofArts students, regardless of major, is proficiency in a foreignlanguage as demonstrated by one of the following:1. Satisfactory completion of one year of one language at theuniversity level2. Satisfactory completion of a departmental placement testand Intermediate French II (FR 2020) or IntermediateGerman II (GR 2020) or Intermediate Latin II (LA 2040)or Intermediate Spanish II (SP 2020)3. Satisfactory completion of one three-credit course at the3000 level or above4. Satisfactory completion of a proficiency test (see AdvancedPlacement and CLEP in the Appendix).The foreign language requirement is satisfied for BA candidateswho are native speakers of a language other than English.No credit is awarded.Students are strongly encouraged to complete their foreignlanguage requirement in their first year in order to build ontheir high school experience. Normally juniors and seniorswill not be permitted to register for 1000-level courses.It is important that the language requirement be satisfied duringthe first or second year. All students are encouraged to take a foreignlanguage to satisfy the Global Awareness Connection.General Education ProgramPlymouth State University provides opportunities for studentsto cultivate the mind in ways that will lead them to full awarenessas adults, and to lives in which occupational achievementis balanced by social responsibility, cultural experience, andpersonal happiness. The University measures its excellence,not by the quality of students who enter its doors, but by thequality it adds to those who graduate. Because of this commitment,Plymouth State believes that every student must receivea strong general education as well as specialized instruction ina field. The undergraduate General Education program givesstudents a broad perspective on ideas and an awareness ofdiverse human experiences and cultures.The General Education program is meant to ensure that studentsdevelop the skills necessary for academic success andlifelong learning, an appreciation of the various ways scholarsconsider and understand human experience, and an appreciationof the process by which different approaches to scholarshipcan be brought to bear on the same problem. Coursestaken to ensure breadth of knowledge emphasize the relevanceand application of methods of inquiry and content tostudents’ lives.SkillsTo live and learn in a multicultural, multimedia, multidimensionalworld, students need certain skills. These are the competenciesexpected of an educated person, the skills needed forlifelong learning. In this General Education program, the followingskills are developed in meaningful contexts.Critical Thinking: the abilities to compare, contrast, analyze,and synthesize; and to challenge underlying assumptions; totake imaginative leaps and intellectual risks; and to solve problemscreatively and effectively.Reading: the achievement of advanced literacy; that is, the abilityto comprehend written material within a variety of genres,and to articulate one’s response verbally and in writing.Quantitative Reasoning: the ability to analyze quantitativematerials, and use quantitative techniques to solve problems.Writing: development of a writing process that includes theability to pre-write (brainstorm, outline, take notes, free-write)on a selected topic; to prepare, assess, and organize information;and to compose, revise, and edit a polished product.Speaking and Listening: the ability to use both verbal and nonverbalskills to communicate effectively in one or more languages,to listen actively, and to take part respectfully in groupdiscussions.Conducting Research: the ability to locate, comprehend, andsynthesize information; and to understand what constitutesreliable evidence for decision making.Working with Information Technology: the ability to performsearches; to use word processing and spreadsheets; to workwith database management systems and presentation software;to work with software to enhance the creative process;and to make effective use of software to organize informationand to communicate with others.Collaborating with Others: to know, understand, and respondto others’ feelings and perspectives; to work and learn in teamsto enhance interpersonal relationship skills; and to develop anawareness of leadership approaches and the ability to influenceothers.Components of the ProgramIn Plymouth’s General Education program, students takethree First Year Experience courses which introduce the skillslisted above. The skills are then further developed and refinedin the other components of the program: the Directionscourses and the Connections courses, as well as in the major.Students take two courses in each of four Directions. These68 Plymouth State University Academic Catalog 2007–2008