2009 - 2010 Catalog of Courses [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
General Education
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Fort Lewis College’s commitment to the liberal arts is embodied in its general education program and in its majors in the arts, sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Liberal in liberal arts means “free,” freedom from ignorance. A liberal arts education is intended to impart the capacities and values required for responsible citizenship and advancement in the professions and help students develop a commitment to life-long learning. These capacities include breadth of knowledge, the ability to analyze and weigh evidence, openmindedness, understanding of different cultural perspectives, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and communication.
General education is designed to complement the specialization provided by the majors. Exploration of different areas of knowledge and ways of understanding the world combined with the development of competencies in communication, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning is the primary focus of the lower-division courses in general education. Development of a global perspective is the primary focus of the upper-division courses in general education.
General Education Requirements
All courses that fulfill lower-division general education requirements, with the exception of those courses that fulfill the Physical Well-Being requirement, and have earned a minimum grade of C- or better, are guaranteed to transfer to other Colorado public institutions of higher education under the State of Colorado gtPathways system. Some of the courses that fulfill lower-division general education requirements may also count for major or minor requirements. See specific programs for more information. Education for Global Citizenship courses may not count toward any major or minor.
The curricular components of general education at Fort Lewis College are: Lower-Division General Education
- Communication (two courses)
- Mathematics (one course)
- Arts and Humanities, History, and Social and Behavioral Sciences (minimum of four courses and 15 credits)
- Physical and Life Sciences (two courses, one with an associated laboratory)
- Physical Well-Being (one course)
Upper-Division General Education
- Education for Global Citizenship (two courses)
All courses that fulfill lower-division general education requirements, with the exception of those courses that fulfill the Physical Well-Being requirement, and have earned a minimum grade of C- or better, are guaranteed to transfer to other Colorado public institutions of higher education under the State of Colorado gtPathways system. Some of the courses that fulfill lower-division general education requirements may also count for major or minor requirements. See specific programs for more information. Education for Global Citizenship courses may not count toward any major or minor. Communication (CO1 and CO2 or CO2 and CO3)
The ability to write effectively and read critically underlies professional projects, civic actions, and academic endeavors. Analyzing whom and what to vote for, reading with an open mind about social, economic, and philosophical issues, and developing the competencies to contribute to the world of ideas in the academy and in the workplace are important. Lower-division communication courses provide the foundational work necessary for students to begin to think, read, and write at advanced levels.
Students are required to complete either one CO1 course and one CO2 course or one CO2 course and one CO3 course. Students’ options for CO1 and CO2 are governed by placement policies developed by the Writing Program. Students should consult the requirements of their degree programs before selecting a CO2 course because some programs require completion of a specific CO2 course. Mathematics (MA1)
Mathematics underlies modern technology, is essential to understanding and critically examining public policy, and is a powerful tool for many disciplines. Pattern recognition, generalization, abstraction, problem solving, careful analysis, and rigorous quantitative argument are important to all well-educated citizens and are the foundation of many professions.
Students are required to complete one MA1 course. Students’ options for this requirement are determined by placement policies developed by the departments that offer MA1 courses. Students should consult the requirements of their degree programs before selecting a MA1 course because some programs require completion of a specific MA1 course. MA1 Courses – One Course Required
Arts and Humanities, History, and Social and Behavioral Sciences (AH, HI, and SS)
Arts and Humanities courses (AH) help students recognize the different ways in which humans have perceived their world, deepen their understanding of how social, cultural, linguistic, religious, philosophical, and historical circumstances shape the human environment, and explore fundamental questions of value, meaning, and modes of expression. There are four types of Arts and Humanities courses: Arts and Expression (AH1); Literature and Humanities (AH2); Ways of Thinking (AH3); and Foreign Languages (AH4).
History courses (HI) involve students in analytical, chronological study of significant human experiences. Through the study of a specific aspect of the human experience students will learn the interpretive and analytical methods necessary to build accounts of the past and explore how alternative analytical perspectives can create different narratives of the past.
Social and Behavioral Science courses (SS) help students acquire a foundational understanding of the social sciences while gaining insight into contemporary issues and problems. There are three types of Social and Behavioral Sciences courses: Economic or Political Systems (SS1); Geography (SS2); and Human Behavior, Culture, or Social Frameworks (SS3).
Students are required to complete two Arts and Humanities courses, one History course, and one Social and Behavioral Science course. If, after completing the four required courses, students have not earned a minimum of 15 credits, they must take an additional course from the Arts and Humanities, History, or Social Science categories. Students’ options to take modern language courses to fulfill the Arts and Humanities requirements are determined by placement policies developed by the Modern Languages Department. Students should consult the requirements of their degree programs before selecting Arts and Humanities, History, and Social and Behavioral Science courses because some programs may require completion of specific courses. AH Courses – Minimum of Two Courses Required - Any Combination of AH1, AH2, AH3, or AH4
HI Courses - Minimum of One Course Required
SS Courses - Minimum of One Course Required - SS1, SS2, or SS3
Physical and Life Sciences (SC1 and SC2)
Through Physical and Life Science courses students will gain an understanding of the scientific viewpoint and method and gain insights into the impacts of science and technology on society.
Students are required to complete two Physical and Life Science courses. One of these courses must be a science with an associated laboratory (SC1). The second course may be from either the SC1 (science with a lab) or SC2 (science without a lab) lists. Students’ options for this requirement are determined by placement policies developed by the departments that offer SC1 and SC2 courses. Students should consult the requirements of their degree programs before selecting their Physical and Life Science courses because some programs require completion of specific SC1 and SC2 courses. SC1 Courses - Minimum of One Course with Associated Laboratory Required
SC2 Courses – Minimum of One Course is Required if a Second SC1 Course is Not Taken
Physical Well-Being (ES 100 or PE Activity)
The Physical Well-Being component educates students in the benefits and joys of physical activity, emphasizing how physical well-being enhances overall quality of life. In the Fitness and Wellness (ES 100) course, students learn how principles of fitness and wellness contribute to the development of an active, healthy lifestyle and contribute to positive, productive citizenship. The PE Activity courses are designed to help students improve their physical fitness or explore new physical activities.
Students are required to complete one course – either ES 100 (no other ES-prefix course may be substituted) or a PE Activity. Education for Global Citizenship
Education for Global Citizenship (EGC) courses help students develop an awareness of global relationships by critically analyzing global problems or topics using knowledge from multiple disciplines and diverse cultural perspectives. Because Educational for Global Citizenship courses are the capstone experience of general education, students are expected to demonstrate advanced skills in inquiry, critical thinking and communication.
Students are required to complete two Education for Global Citizenship courses. General Education Programs
Education for Global Citizenship
Coordinator – Carol L. Smith
Professors – Kenyon D. Bunch, Robert R. Bunting, Gordon P. Cheesewright, William B. Dodds, Kathleen S. Fine-Dare, Aaron J. Gordon, Andrew J. Gulliford, Larry K. Hartsfield, David L. Kozak, Kathryn S. Moller, and Philip E. Shuler
Associate Professors – Tina L. Evans, Janine M. Fitzgerald, Gary L. Gianniny, Julie E. Korb, Peter J. McCormick, Paul T. McGurr, Simon G. Walls, and Suzanne L. Wilhelm
Assistant Professors – John F. Baranski, Susan M. Kraus, Erin M. Lehmer, Paul T. McGurr, and Yohannes Woldemariam
Visiting Professor – Charles J. Yoos II
Visiting Instructors – Molly C. Costello and Ana N. Hale
The Education for Global Citizenship Program is an upper-division liberal arts experience required of all students that is informed by historical and contemporary dialogues about globalization and civic engagement. Courses in the EGC Program lead students to develop an awareness of how their lives intersect with globalization and to reflect on how the actions (or inactions) of individuals and organizations can shape our collective futures.
Freshman Mathematics Program
Director – Amy K. Getz
Assistant Professor – Cameron I. Cooper
Visiting Instructors – Amy K. Getz, Leslie Goldstein, Sandra K. Gilpin, Ambika Smith, and Sherri M. Wilson
The Freshman Mathematics Program is responsible for instruction in basic skills and beginning college-level mathematics courses that fulfill the MA1 requirement in general education and for coordination of the Algebra Alcove, one of two mathematics support centers at Fort Lewis College. The mission of the Freshman Mathematics Program is to provide a positive learning experience that helps students connect mathematics to their lives. In the Freshman Mathematics Program, we strive to make mathematics accessible to our students and responsive to their interests and needs.
Writing Program
Director – Bradley P. Benz
Associate Professors – Bradley P. Benz, Nancy K. Cardona, Tina L. Evans, and Shawn E. Fullmer
Assistant Professors – Erik M. Juergensmeyer and Stephanie E. Vie
Visiting Instructors – Molly C. Costello, Ana N. Hale, Cathleen T. Hartney, Bridget J. Irish, Ayla D. Moore, and Gretchen A. Treadwell
The Writing Program provides instruction in basic skills reading and writing courses, the required introductory and intermediate composition courses, and elective writing and speech courses. It also coordinates the Writing Center. Faculty in the Writing Program consider their courses “heirs of the ancient liberal art of rhetoric.” The study of rhetoric began in Greece, about 2,500 years ago, as the art of using language persuasively. Although the original emphasis of rhetoric was on speaking, in the modern era its domain has expanded to encompass writing. The Writing Program teaches students that effective communication is highly situational, requiring students to compose and deliver messages appropriate for the occasion, purpose, and audience.
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