Bridge General Education Program: Categories & Courses

First-Year Seminar
GEN101Pathway to the Bridge2.0
Cornerstone 1
GEN199WI:Discovering Self in the Universe3.0
Academic Writing 1
EN111Academic Writing and Research I3.0
or EN221 Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research
Quantitative Analysis 1
Select one of the following:3.0-4.0
Experimental Design & Statistics
Quantitative Business Concepts
Business Statistics & Probability
Computer Programming I
Introduction to Statistical Thinking
Modern Mathematical Concepts II
College Algebra
Precalculus
Calculus I
Linear Algebra
Discrete Mathematics
Intro to Stats for the Beh Sciences
History 1
Select one of the following:3.0
U.S. History Survey I
U.S. History Survey II
World History Survey I
World History Survey II
African American History
Literature 1
Select one of the following:3.0
American Literature Before 1865
American Literature Since 1865
World Literature I
World Literature II
British Lit from Anglo-Saxon to 1785
British Lit Since 1785
TopicsPostcolonialLit
HNR American Literature & Culture
Philosophy 1
PL245Philosophical Inquiry3.0
Visual and Performing Arts 1
Select one of the following:3.0
Drawing I
Visual Thinking & Design
Mixed Media
Modern Art
European & U.S. Art
World Art History
Painting I
Sculpture I
Prints, Multiples & Editions I
Creative Photography I
Media Production
Entry to Dance as Art
History of Dance
Music Appreciation
Music of the Americas
World Music
Modern Language; Culture; Global Studies 1
Select one of the following:3.0
Elementary Italian I
Elementary Italian II
Intermediate Italian I
Italian Conversation & Composition I
Elementary French I
Elementary French II
Intermediate French I
Elementary Spanish I
Elementary Spanish II
Beginning Everyday Spanish I
Beginning Everyday Spanish II
Spanish for Specialized Work Settings
Intermediate Everyday Spanish I
Lang&CultureExperienceAbroad
Natural Sciences
Select one of the following:4.0
Environmental Biology
Life: Human Biology
Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function
Microbiology (nursing and health profession studies majors only)
Environmental Chemistry
Physics in Everyday Life I
Physics in Everyday Life II
College Physics I
College Physics II
University Physics I
University Physics II
Astronomy & Cosmology
Science in Art
Social Sciences 1
Select two courses from different social science disciplines:6.0
Physical Anthro. & Archeology
Cultural Anthropology
Contemporary Economics
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
American National Government
State & Local Government in America
Modern Political Thought
Introduction to Psychology
Foundations of Psychology
Child & Adolescent Development
Principles of Sociology
Globalization & Sustainability
Religious Studies 1
Select one of the following:3.0
Discovering the Bible
Women & the Bible
The Christian Tradition
Christianity in Dialogue
Ethics 1
Select one of the following:3.0
Business & Professional Ethics
Philosophical Ethics
Bioethics
Theological Ethics
Social Justice Ethics
Women's and Gender Studies 1
WS311Shaping Lives: Women & Gender3.0
Capstone 1
GEN400WI:Visioning a Future3.0
Total Credits48.0-49.0
1

GS150 General Education Abroad I, GS250 General Education Abroad II, or GS350 General Education Abroad III (see course descriptions below) may satisfy the general education requirement in this category.

Experiential Learning

Two experiences must be successfully completed:

  1. GEN400 WI:Visioning a Future, which includes a service learning project, and
  2. a service learning project completed in a course other than GEN101 Pathway to the Bridge or GEN400 WI:Visioning a Future, an internship/practicum/field placement, an approved global education experience, or an approved research experience.

Students are encouraged to complete more experiential learning experiences than the two that are required. 

Sections of courses offering a service learning option will be identified on each semester’s course schedule and/or on the Office of the Registrar’s web page.

Students completing a noncredit internship or one of the following courses will have satisfied one of the two experiential learning requirements (the internship/field placement/practicum type of option.)

Course and Credits
AC451Accounting Internship1.0
BI401Medical Technology Internship I16.0
BI402Medical Technical Internship II16.0
BI404Internship in Biology I2.0
BI405Internship in Biology II2.0
BU351Internship1.0
BU445Summer Internship1.0
CH345Externship Program1.0
CJ333Internship in Criminal Justice3.0
CM299Practicum1.0
CM405Digital Communication Internship3.0
CS415Internship1.0
DA471Internship in Dance1.0
ED2999Field Experience in Special Education1.0
ED4210Coll Plan w/ Family School & Comm ESL3.0
ED4214Coll Plan w/ Family School & Comm ElEd3.0
ED4215Coll Plan w/ Family School & Comm SecEd3.0
ED4299ESL Clinical Practice9.0
ED4304Elementary Education Clinical Practice9.0
ED4306Secondary Education Clinical Practice9.0
EE4212Coll Plan w/ Family School & Comm ECE3.0
EE4302Early Childhood Ed Clinical Practice9.0
EN299Practicum1.0
EN405Internship3.0
ES390Internship I3.0
ES391Internship II3.0
ES392Coaching Internship3.0
GD429Internship3.0
GD435Summer Internship1.0
HRP404Internship in Health Care3.0
HST410Internship in History3.0
MA415Internship/Externship Program1.0
NU496Transition into Clinical Nursing6.0
PH448Intern/Externship Program1.0
PS450Internship in Psychology3.0
SUS410Internship in Sustainabillity2.0
SW390Macro Junior Field Education3.0
SW496Senior Field Education in Social Work6.0
SW497Advanced Field Education in Social Work6.0
Rutgers University clinical/practicum 1
Any other credit-bearing internship course
1

In one of GCU's joint degree programs with Rutgers University

Students considering a credit-bearing or noncredit-bearing internship are encouraged to take CAR450 Internship Prep & Career Development or BU350 Internship & Career Preparation, a 1-credit course, prior to seeking an internship.

Students completing one of the two courses in the table below with a global experience approved by the Director of Global Education Programs will have satisfied one of the two experiential learning requirements (the global education option). Students who need more information about other approved global education experiences may contact the director of global education programs.

Course and Credits
GS100Experiential Learning Global Education0.0
GS200Global Perspectives of Diversity1.0


The courses in the table below include a study abroad experience.  Students must enroll in GS100 with the courses below in order to satisfy one of the two experiential learning requirements (the global education option). 

Course and Credits
AR437Study Abroad1.0
GS100Experiential Learning Global Education0.0
GS150General Education Abroad I3.0
GS200Global Perspectives of Diversity1.0
GS250General Education Abroad II3.0
GS300Faculty-Led Education Abroad1.0
GS350General Education Abroad III3.0
RS403Foreign Study: Biblical1.0
WLC210World Language & Culture Abroad1.0
WLC215Lang&CultureExperienceAbroad3.0

Students completing the courses in the table below will have satisfied one of the two experiential learning requirements (the research experience option).  

Course and Credits
CH449Research in Chemistry/Biochemistry II2.0
CH450Research in Chemistry/Biochemistry III2.0
CJ410Independent Research in Criminal Justice1.0
CS414Research Problem in CS or CIS1.0
EN421Independent Project1.0
ES371Exercise Science Research Experience1.0
ES471Research Project in Exercise Science3.0
HST450Research in History1.0
MA414Research Problem in Mathematics1.0
PH370Research Project1.0
PH371Research Project1.0
PH470Research Project1.0
PH471Research in Physics1.0
PS440Supervised Research in Psychology3.0
PS460Research in Psychology I3.0
PS461Research in Psychology II1.0
BI446Research Problem in Biology I1.0
BI447Research Problem in Biology II1.0

Courses

GEN101  Pathway to the Bridge  (2.0 Credits)  

This course, required of all first time in college students, will develop the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for success at Georgian Court University. Students will gain an understanding of the university’s mission, charism, and heritage. Through a collaborative project, students will execute and reflect on the practices associated with a successful college experience. Enrollment restricted to first time in college students.

GEN199  WI:Discovering Self in the Universe  (3.0 Credits)  

A cornerstone general education course that asks students to explore the Mercy core values of respect and integrity within the framework of commonality, diversity, and symbiosis. Students analyze their identity by investigating the oneness of humanity and the rich complexity of diverse cultures. Students consider, from multiple disciplines, how all of humanity is a part of a much larger story of the universe. It examines the origin and the composition of the universe and humanity’s response to its complexity and fragility, beauty and wonder. In this writing intensive course, students develop questions about what it means to be creative, responsible human beings in today’s integrally connected global society and dynamic universe. The course is designed to be taken in the spring of the first time in college year or, in the case of transfer students, in the first semester at GCU.

Pre/corequisite(s): EN111 or equivalent or EN221.

GEN400  WI:Visioning a Future  (3.0 Credits)  

In light of GCU Mercy core values, this writing intensive capstone course invites students to reflect and analyze how their General Education Program has impacted their understanding of themselves in the world, as well as how their world view has developed. Course readings, service learning, and speakers encourage students to consider key questions of the time. Students contribute toward envisioning the future and humankind’s responsibility in helping to shape that future. This involves questions that have emerged from the General Education Program such as how do we contribute to a more compassionate and just world for humankind and the Earth itself? How do we think about just, healthy, and sustainable ways of living and working on this planet?

Prerequisite(s): Senior status or approval from the director of the General Education Program; GEN199.

GS100  Experiential Learning Global Education  (0.0 Credits)  

This course is an option for an undergraduate student interested in pursuing a global education program to satisfy an experiential learning requirement for graduation. The student will commit to and complete a study abroad program that is a minimum length of one week and has been approved by the Office of Global Education Programs before the student starts the program. Following the completion of the program, the student will write a reflection blog post and complete a final program self-evaluation showing how (a) the program developed their intercultural competence and global awareness and (b) the global education program enhanced their higher learning and personal growth. The director of global education program will evaluate the reflection and final self-evaluation. This is a noncredit course that will be graded pass/fail and will satisfy an experiential learning requirement if the student earns a passing grade.

Prerequisite(s): Approval of the director of global education programs.

GS150  General Education Abroad I  (3.0 Credits)  

This general education course will be offered in conjunction with a faculty-led education abroad experience. The course’s learning goals and objectives and the activities designed to meet them depend on the nature of the specific general education requirement and the education abroad experience. The course will meet before and after the education abroad experience in addition to during the experience. Students will be asked to apply what they learned to the trip and complete academic assignments as aligned with the learning outcomes of the specific general education category designated for the course. Students spend approximately 12.5 hours in formal instruction and have approximately 25 hours of learning activities outside of class per credit. Course will be offered upon approval of the director of the General Education Program.

GS200  Global Perspectives of Diversity  (1.0 Credits)  

This course will explore global perspectives of diversity through students’ virtual interactions and direct collaboration with people across cultures and borders. This will be a virtual global experience that results in cognitive and emotional growth in intercultural competence. This course is intended for any students who wish to strengthen their intercultural competence skills and global awareness and understanding while also satisfying an experiential learning requirement.

GS250  General Education Abroad II  (3.0 Credits)  

This course satisfies a 200-level general education requirement and will be offered in conjunction with a faculty-led education abroad experience. The course’s learning goals and objectives and the activities designed to meet them depend on the nature of the specific general education requirement and the education abroad experience. The course will meet before and after the education aboard experience in addition to during the experience. Students will be asked to apply what they learned to the trip and complete academic assignments as aligned with the learning outcomes of the specific general education category designated for the course. Students spend approximately 12.5 hours in formal instruction and have approximately 25 hours of learning activities outside of class per credit. Course will be offered upon approval of the director of the General Education Program.

GS300  Faculty-Led Education Abroad  (1.0 Credits)  

This course may be offered in conjunction with a faculty-led education abroad experience. The course’s learning goals and objectives and the activities designed to meet them depend on the nature of the education abroad experience. The course may meet before and after the education abroad experience in addition to during the experience. Students spend approximately 12.5 hours in formal instruction and have approximately 25 hours of learning activities outside of class per credit. With the approval of the department chair, the course may be used for credit in the major.

GS350  General Education Abroad III  (3.0 Credits)  

This course satisfies a 300-level general education requirement and will be offered in conjunction with a faculty-led education abroad experience. The course’s learning goals and objectives and the activities designed to meet them depend on the nature of the specific general education requirement and the education abroad experience. The course will meet before and after the education aboard experience in addition to during the experience. Students will be asked to apply what they learned to the trip and complete academic assignments as aligned with the learning outcomes of the specific general education category designated for the course. Students spend approximately 12.5 hours in formal instruction and have approximately 25 hours of learning activities outside of class per credit. Course will be offered upon approval of the director of the General Education Program.

SL100  Service Learning (0 credit)  (0.0 Credits)  

This course is an option for an undergraduate student interested in pursuing learning through service as an experiential learning requirement for graduation. The student will commit to and complete a minimum of 10 hours of service work at a community service organization, which may include GCU, under the guidance of a GCU instructor. Prior to starting the project, the student must get the approval of the instructor (on CareerLink). Following the completion of the project, the student will write a reflection paper showing how (1) the application of their college education helped in the service activity and (2) the service activity enhanced their higher learning and personal growth. The instructor will evaluate the paper in consultation with the supervisor at the community organization. This is a noncredit course that will be graded pass/fail and will satisfy an experiential learning graduation requirement.

SL101  Service Learning (1 credit)  (1.0 Credits)  

This course will be an option for a student interested in pursuing learning through service, working with a community service organization, to earn 1 credit. A student wanting to register for this course must contact a faculty service fellow who will serve as the advisor. The student, in consultation with the advisor, will develop the learning goals and identify an appropriate community service organization for the student. Then, working with the Office of Career Services, the student will contact the organization and make suitable arrangements for participation in the service activity. The student must commit to and complete a minimum of 30 hours of service work. While participating in the service activity, the student should make arrangements with the advisor for regular conferences to report on the progress of the service activity. The student should engage in library research about the community service organization and its mission, and how the student’s contribution contributes to the organization achieving its mission. Following the completion of the project, the student will write a reflection paper showing how (a) the application of their college education helped in the service activity and (b) the service activity enhanced their higher learning and personal growth. The advisor will evaluate the paper in consultation with the supervisor at the community organization. The course may be repeated, and the student may apply a maximum of three credits toward the degree. This course will be graded pass/fail and will satisfy an experiential learning graduation requirement.

WS311  Shaping Lives: Women & Gender  (3.0 Credits)  

This interdisciplinary course considers gender as both a critical field of inquiry and as a social construct that influences experiences, relationships, and outcomes of women in society. The course is organized around three main themes: (1) foundations for understanding women and gender; (2) the six institutions that impact and are impacted by women (e.g., work, education, politics); and (3) leadership and activism. Emphasis on the intersection of gender, race, ethnicity, and social class.

Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior status.