Berea College's curriculum includes an interdisciplinary General Education curriculum in addition to intensive study in a major. As an institution with a liberal arts foundation and outlook, the College has a responsibility to educate the whole person. Berea College's General Education curriculum addresses Berea's Great Commitments and is designed to help students develop important knowledge, skills, and habits of mind. The curriculum extends from the first year through the senior year and includes, in addition to course work, convocations and other experiences.
NOTE: Some Berea College courses can be used to fulfill more than one requirement. When a course is used to satisfy both a General Education requirement and a major requirement (i.e., PSY 100: General Psychology, which meets the General Education Social Science Perspective, as well as the requirement for the Psychology major), the credit is counted only once and in the major discipline. No single course may fulfill more than two General Education requirements and no single transfer course can fulfill more than one General Education requirement. The required General Studies courses (GSTR 110, GSTR 210, GSTR 310, GSTR 332, and GSTR 410) cannot be used to fulfill any additional requirements.
The Aims of General Education
Knowledge
The General Education Program will help students understand:
- aesthetic, scientific, historical, and interdisciplinary ways of knowing;
- religion, particularly Christianity, in its many expressions;
- Berea College’ s historical and ongoing commitments to racial (traditionally black and white) and gender equality, as well as to the Appalachian region;
- the natural environment and our relationship to it;
- the roles of science and technology in the contemporary world;
- U.S. and global issues and perspectives.
Skills
The General Education Program will help students develop the abilities to:
- read and listen effectively; write and speak effectively, with integrity and style;
- think critically and creatively, and reason quantitatively;
- develop research strategies and employ appropriate technologies as a means to deepen one’s knowledge and understanding;
- work effectively both independently and collaboratively;
- resolve conflicts nonviolently.
Habits of Mind
The General Education Program will help students:
- deepen their capacities for moral reflection, spiritual development, and responsible action;
- develop an openness to and knowledgeable appreciation of human diversity in terms of race, gender, class, religion, sexuality, language, and culture;
- cultivate their imagination and ability to discern connections, consider alternatives, and think about topics and issues from multiple perspectives;
- think and act in ways that promote peace with justice;
- develop habits leading to lifetime health and fitness.
Learning Experiences
The above aims of General Education Program will be achieved through a combination of learning experiences designed to help students become independent learners and thinkers. Such learning experiences are likely to include:
- Discussion and lecture;
- Student-initiated learning;
- Experiential learning (for example, service-learning, travel, internships, etc.);
- Collaborative learning.
Core Competencies
To determine the extent to which students have attained the Aims of General Education, Berea College will regularly asses student achievement in five areas:
- Critical Thinking
- Communication
- Research and Information Literacy
- Quantitative Literacy
- Intercultural Competence
Practical Reasoning Requirement--Two Courses
The Practical Reasoning Requirement is met through the satisfactory completion of two courses, at least one of which must be firmly grounded in mathematics or statistics. Courses meeting this requirement are intended to help students discern connections, consider alternatives, and think about topics and issues from multiple perspectives.
Designations for Practical Reasoning Courses
An approved Practical Reasoning course that is "firmly grounded in mathematics or statistics" is called "Practical Reasoning with Quantitative Emphasis" and is given the designation "PRQ." Other approved Practical Reasoning courses are given the designation "PR."
The Committee on General Education (COGE) has approved the following courses to meet the Practical Reasoning Requirement. COGE continues to review departmental proposals for additional courses to meet this requirement in the General Education curriculum.
NOTE: Transfer credit for PSY 100 General Psychology does not meet the Practical Reasoning requirement but meets the Social Science Perspective.
Approved Courses (PR & PRQ)
Courses below have been designated by the Committee on General Education to meet the indicated requirement. Special topics courses are approved on a term-by-term basis and approvals are listed in the Schedule of Classes.
Practical Reasoning--Quantitative Emphasis (PRQ)
CHM 131 |
Accelerated General Chemistry |
1 Course Credit
|
CHM 134 |
Accelerated Environmental Chem |
1 Course Credit
|
ECO 250 |
Applied Statistics |
1 Course Credit
|
MAT 101/MAT 108 |
Math Modeling Using Computer |
1 Course Credit
|
MAT 104 |
Introduction to Statistics |
1 Course Credit
|
MAT 105 |
Intro to Discrete Math |
1 Course Credit
|
MAT 108/MAT 101 |
Environ Issue:Math Model Appr |
1 Course Credit
|
MAT 115 |
College Algebra with Modeling |
1 Course Credit
|
MAT 125 |
Trigonometry with Applications |
1 Course Credit
|
MAT 135 |
Calculus I |
1 Course Credit
|
MAT 214 |
Linear Algebra |
1 Course Credit
|
MAT 225 |
Calculus II |
1 Course Credit
|
MAT 311 |
Probability |
1 Course Credit
|
MAT 312 |
Operations Research |
1 Course Credit
|
MAT 330 |
Calculus III |
1 Course Credit
|
MAT 437 |
Differential Equations |
1 Course Credit
|
PHY 130/PHY 225 |
Applied Mah for Physics & Eng. |
1 Course Credit
|
PHY 225 |
Math Methods in Physics I |
1 Course Credit
|
PSY 325 |
Stats & Rsrch Meth-Behav Sc II |
1 Course Credit
|
SENS 320 |
Intro-Geographical Info System |
1 Course Credit
|
SOC 340 |
Social Statistics-Diverse Soc |
1 Course Credit
|
TAD 352 |
Quality Control |
1 Course Credit
|
Practical Reasoning (PR)
BUS 114 |
Business App & Prog (CSC) |
1 Course Credit
|
BUS 120 |
Accounting I |
1 Course Credit
|
CFS 145 |
Consumer Decision Making |
1 Course Credit
|
COM 201 |
Argumentation and Debate |
1 Course Credit
|
COM 203 |
Persuasion |
1 Course Credit
|
CSC 111 |
Storytelling-Comp Animation |
1 Course Credit
|
CSC 114 |
Business App & Prog (BUS) |
1 Course Credit
|
CSC 126 |
Intro to Robotics |
1 Course Credit
|
GST 235 |
Intro to Behavioral Sciences |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 316 |
20th Cent Europe:Div & Recon |
1 Course Credit
|
MAT 203 |
Geometry-Midl Grades/Elem Tchr |
1 Course Credit
|
MAT 315 |
Fundamental Concepts of Math |
1 Course Credit
|
PHI 104 |
Morality, Law & Philosophy |
1 Course Credit
|
PHI 106 |
Introductory Reasoning |
1 Course Credit
|
PHI 204/PSC 204 |
Justice&Law-Class Pol Phi(PSC) |
1 Course Credit
|
PHI 207/PSC 207 |
Human Rights, Intl Law (PSC) |
1 Course Credit
|
PHI 209/PSC 209 |
Freedom,Law,&Modern State(PSC) |
1 Course Credit
|
PHI 214 |
Approaches to Ethics |
1 Course Credit
|
PHI 218 |
Symbolic Logic |
1 Course Credit
|
PHI 230 |
Reflecting on Nature |
1 Course Credit
|
PHY 111 |
Introduction to Astronomy |
1 Course Credit |
PSC 204/PHI 204 |
Justice&Law-Class Pol Phi(PHI) |
1 Course Credit
|
PSC 207/PHI 207 |
Human Rights, Intl Law (PHI) |
1 Course Credit
|
PSC 209/PHI 209 |
Freedom,Law,&Modern State(PHI) |
1 Course Credit
|
PSY 100 |
General Psychology*** |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 235 |
Christian Social Ethics |
1 Course Credit
|
SENS 100 |
Intro-Sustainability & Environ |
1 Course Credit
|
SOC 335 |
Methods of Social Research |
1 Course Credit
|
***
PSY 100 does not meet the Practical Reasoning Requirement if brought in as a Transfer Course.
Six Perspective Areas--All Six Areas Required
Individual courses may be approved to satisfy more than one Perspective Area; however, no single course will be designated to satisfy more than two Perspective Areas. Each course counts only once in the earned-credit minimum needed to graduate. The six Perspective Areas are:
Arts
develops an understanding and appreciation of artistic form and creation through the study and/or practice of the visual arts, creative writing, literature, music, dance, and/or theatre.
Social Science
develops a scientific understanding of human behavior at the individual, group, or community level.
Western History
develops an understanding and appreciation of history as a way of knowing through the study of one or more major traditions, institutions, events, or achievements of Western Civilization. The “West” denotes those regions in which the primary influence has been European in origin.
Religion
develops an understanding and appreciation of the role of religion in human experience through the study of one or more major religious traditions, institutions, or ideas.
African Americans’, Appalachians’, Women’s
develops an understanding and appreciation of diversity through the study of one or more of those groups central to Berea’s Commitments: African Americans, Appalachians, and/or Women.
International
develops an understanding and appreciation of world citizenship through the study of languages or world cultures. This perspective area may be met by the completion of either:
- two courses in the same, non-English language, one of which may be waived by a placement examination (i.e., at least one language course must be taken after entering Berea College).
NOTE: Some majors require study in a foreign language. Students should check requirements for the department(s) they wish to pursue before deciding which option in the International Perspective to complete.
OR
-
two world culture courses, one of which must be Non-Western; one or both of which may be met by approved courses taken abroad.
Approved Courses
Courses below have been designated by the Committee on General Education to meet the indicated requirement. Special topic courses are approved on a term-by-term basis and approvals are listed in the Schedule of Classes. Cross-listed courses are listed only once but are approved as meeting the associated perspective under either disciplinary rubric.
African Americans', Appalachians', and Women's Perspective
Arts Perspective
ARH 210 |
Topics in Islamic Art & Archit |
1 Course Credit
|
ARH 220/AST 220
|
Topics in Indian Art H (AST) |
1 Course Credit
|
ARH 230 |
Topics in Latin American Art |
1 Course Credit
|
ARH 232 |
Classical Art & Archaeology |
1 Course Credit
|
ARH 233 |
Art&Arch Ancnt Nr East&Egypt |
1 Course Credit
|
ARH 242 |
Medieval Art |
1 Course Credit
|
ART 111 |
Printmaking I |
1 Course Credit
|
ART 115 |
Drawing Fundamentals |
1 Course Credit
|
ART 116 |
Painting I |
1 Course Credit
|
ART 123 |
Ceramics I |
1 Course Credit
|
ART 125 |
Fibers I |
1 Course Credit
|
ART 130 |
Sculpture I |
1 Course Credit
|
CFS 238 |
Human Environments II |
1 Course Credit
|
CLS 222 |
Classical Mythology (REL) |
1 Course Credit
|
COM 211 |
Broadcast Journalism I |
1 Course Credit
|
CSC 111 |
Storytelling-Comp Animation |
1 Course Credit
|
ENG 124 |
Intro to Creative Writing |
1 Course Credit
|
ENG 141/AFR 141 |
African-American Lit (AFR) |
1 Course Credit
|
ENG 200 |
Studies in Time |
1 Course Credit
|
ENG 282 |
Workshop in Creative Writing |
1 Course Credit
|
FRN 320 |
Panorama of French Lit I |
1 Course Credit
|
FRN 321 |
Panorama of French Lit II |
1 Course Credit
|
FRN 325 |
Seventeenth Century Frn Lit |
1 Course Credit
|
FRN 330 |
Nineteenth Century French Lit |
1 Course Credit
|
FRN 340 |
Twentieth Century French Lit |
1 Course Credit
|
GER 320 |
German Poetry |
1 Course Credit
|
GER 325 |
German Narrative Prose |
1 Course Credit
|
GER 330 |
German Drama |
1 Course Credit
|
GER 340 |
German Novel |
1 Course Credit
|
HHP 245 |
Dance Education |
1 Course Credit
|
HHP 248 |
World Dance |
1 Course Credit
|
HHP 249 |
Dancing Through Space & Time |
1 Course Credit
|
HHP 305 |
Improvisation & Choreography |
1 Course Credit
|
LAT 210/HIS 210
|
Classical Roman Civ (HIS) |
1 Course Credit
|
LAT 223 |
Virgil |
1 Course Credit
|
LAT 321 |
Latin Historians |
1 Course Credit
|
LAT 324 |
Classical Poetry |
1 Course Credit
|
MUS 106 |
World Music |
1 Course Credit
|
MUS 115 |
Intro to Music Literature |
1 Course Credit
|
MUS 216 |
Perceptive Listening to Music |
1 Course Credit
|
MUS 224/APS 224 |
Appalachian Music (APS) |
1 Course Credit
|
MUS 234/AFR 234 |
Afri-Amer Mus:Overview (AFR) |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 110 |
Religion and the Arts |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 222 |
Classical Mythology (CLS)
|
1 Course Credit
|
SPN 315 |
Intro to Spanish Literature |
1 Course Credit
|
SPN 320 |
Peninsular Literature I |
1 Course Credit
|
SPN 321 |
Peninsular Literature II |
1 Course Credit
|
SPN 330 |
Spanish American Literature I |
1 Course Credit
|
SPN 331 |
Spanish American Literature II |
1 Course Credit
|
SPN 340 |
The Novel |
1 Course Credit
|
TAD 180 |
Graphic Com and Design |
1 Course Credit
|
TAD 202 |
Photography |
1 Course Credit
|
TAD 213/APS 213 |
Appalachian Crafts (APS) |
1 Course Credit
|
THR 331 |
Film Production: Documentary |
1 Course Credit
|
THR 332 |
Film Production: Feature Film |
1 Course Credit
|
International Perspective (two options)
The International Perspective is met by taking
EITHER
-
Foreign Language Option —two courses in the same foreign language, one of which may be waived by a placement examination (at least one language course must be taken after entering Berea College unless transfer credit has been awarded for a foreign language through the second level) OR
-
World Culture Option —two approved World Culture courses, at least one of which must be approved as Non-Western. Here is a list of courses that have been approved to meet the World Culture component of this perspective, first Non-Western, then Western:
International Perspective (Non-Western)
International Perspective (Western)
ARH 230 |
Topics in Latin American Art |
1 Course Credit
|
CFS 225 |
Food, Culture and Society |
1 Course Credit
|
CFS 366/WGS 366 |
Cross-Cultrl Persp-Fam (WGS) |
1 Course Credit
|
ECO 341 |
Economic Dev:Theory & Appl |
1 Course Credit
|
ENG 103 |
ESL and American Culture |
1 Course Credit
|
GER 140 |
German Civilization |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 131 |
Britain & the Emp, 1688 to Pre |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 224 |
20th Century World History |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 229/AST 229 |
Modern Imperialism (AST) |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 311 |
Seminar: Medieval History |
1 Course Credit
|
LAT 117 |
Classical Etymology |
1 Course Credit
|
PHI 207/PSC 207 |
Human Rights, Intl Law (PSC) |
1 Course Credit
|
SOC 341 |
Soc of Dev & Social Change |
1 Course Credit
|
SPN 140/HIS 140 |
History of Spain (HIS) |
1 Course Credit
|
Religion Perspective
ARH 210 |
Topics in Islamic Art & Archit |
1 Course Credit
|
ARH 242 |
Medieval Art |
1 Course Credit
|
CLS 222 |
Classical Mythology (REL) |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 202/REL 202 |
Christians & Pagans (REL) |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 215/REL 215
|
Christianity to 1600 (REL) |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 223 |
Hist of Pre-Modern Middle East |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 240/REL 240 |
Islam (REL) |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 311 |
Seminar: Medieval History |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 314 |
Renaissance and Reformation |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 355 |
Sem in American Rel Hist (REL) |
1 Course Credit
|
PSJ 205 |
Movements & Commnty Organizing |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 100 |
Religion in Global Context |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 109 |
Intro to Christian Thought |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 110 |
Religion and the Arts |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 126 |
Poverty and Justice |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 132/AST 132 |
Religions of China (AST) |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 135/AST 135 |
Religions of Japan (AST) |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 136/AFR 136 |
African Trad Religion (AFR) |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 211/WGS 211 |
Women in Religion (WGS) |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 212 |
Rel, Rhetoric, & Rationality |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 215 |
Christianity to 1600 (HIS) |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 222 |
Classical Mythology (CLS) |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 225 |
Images of Jesus |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 228 |
The Bible, His., & Archeology |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 235 |
Christian Social Ethics |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 250 |
Judaism |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 260/AST 260 |
Buddhism (AST) |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 309 |
Themes in Abrahamic Traditions |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 312 |
Religious Thought & Ethics |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 308/AST 308 |
Themes in Asian Tradition(AST) |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 320 |
Advanced Biblical Studies |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 355 |
Sem in American Rel Hist (HIS) |
1 Course Credit
|
Social Science Perspective
ARH 234 |
Intro to Archaeological Method |
1 Course Credit
|
ARH 238 |
History & Analysis of Craft |
1 Course Credit
|
BUS 257 |
Consumer Behavior |
1 Course Credit
|
CFS 207/WGS 207 |
Family Relations (WGS) |
1 Course Credit
|
COM 220 |
Theories of Communication |
1 Course Credit
|
ECO 101 |
Principles of Macroeconomics |
1 Course Credit
|
ECO 102 |
Principles of Microeconomics |
1 Course Credit
|
ECO 301 |
Intermediate Macroeconomics |
1 Course Credit
|
ECO 302 |
Intermediate Microeconomics |
1 Course Credit
|
ECO 360/PSC 360 |
Int'l Political Economy (PSC) |
1 Course Credit
|
ECO 370 |
Environ Issue in Public Policy |
1 Course Credit
|
GST 235 |
Intro to Behavioral Sciences |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 200 |
Intro to Historical Study |
1 Course Credit
|
PSC 100 |
Intro to Study of Politics |
1 Course Credit
|
PSC 110 |
American Government |
1 Course Credit
|
PSJ 305 |
Conflict Transformation |
1 Course Credit
|
PSY 100
*
|
General Psychology |
1 Course Credit
|
SOC 100 |
Sociology of Everyday Life |
1 Course Credit
|
SOC 110 |
Prob of American Institutions |
1 Course Credit
|
SOC 220 |
Cultural Anthropology |
1 Course Credit
|
Western History Perspective
HIS 314 |
Renaissance and Reformation |
1 Course Credit
|
AFR 356/HIS 356 |
Sem-African-Amer History (HIS) |
1 Course Credit
|
ARH 232 |
Classical Art & Archaeology |
1 Course Credit
|
ARH 242 |
Medieval Art |
1 Course Credit
|
ARH 255 |
20th & 21st Century Art |
1 Course Credit
|
FRN 140 |
Frn Civilization Past/Present |
1 Course Credit
|
GER 140 |
German Civilization |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 101 |
Western Civilization I |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 102 |
West Civ II:Std in Gendr (WGS) |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 130 |
Albion & Eire: British Isles |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 131 |
Britain & the Emp, 1688 to Pre |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 161 |
American History to 1865 |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 162 |
American History Since 1865 |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 165/AFR 165 |
Intro to Afr Amer His(AFR) |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 209 |
Classical Greek Civilization |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 215 |
Christianity to 1600 (REL) |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 310 |
Seminar in U. S. History |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 316 |
20th Cent Europe:Div & Recon |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 335 |
Topic Sem-Modern European His |
1 Course Credit
|
HIS 355 |
Sem in American Rel Hist (REL) |
1 Course Credit
|
LAT 210 |
Classical Roman Civ (HIS) |
1 Course Credit
|
PHI 204/PSC 204 |
Justice&Law-Class Pol Phi(PSC) |
1 Course Credit
|
PHI 209/PSC 209 |
Freedom,Law,&Modern State(PSC) |
1 Course Credit
|
PHI 305 |
Classical Philosophy |
1 Course Credit
|
PSY 420 |
His & Systems of Psychology |
1 Course Credit
|
REL 202/HIS 202 |
Christians & Pagans (HIS) |
1 Course Credit
|
SPN 140/HIS 140 |
History of Spain (HIS) |
1 Course Credit
|
TAD 118 |
History of Technology |
1 Course Credit
|
Lifetime Health and Wellness
As of Fall 2017, all incoming students are required to complete WELL 101 and WELL 102 in their first year of attendance. Students not successfully completing WELL 101 and WELL 102 in the first year must complete the sequence in the second year. Students who do not complete the sequence by the 5th term are subject to suspension. Students admitted on previous catalogs must complete HLT 100 (prior to 2016-17) or WELL 101 (2016-17 catalog).
Berea College offers courses, programs, and facilities intended to promote the wellness and personal well-being of students and employees. This commitment is reflected in the adoption of the FRESH Start Quality Enhancement Plan. In addition to WELL 101 and WELL 102, each student must complete two 1/4-credit activity courses chosen from the 200-level HHP activity courses (from two different areas). Waivers from the 1/4-credit activity courses are provided for students awarded a letter in an intercollegiate sport. Students who are awarded one letter in each of two different sports may waive both of the 1/4-credit requirements. If the student’s swimming skills are below the minimal safety/survival levels, students are required to complete HHP 200 and this may count as one of the two 1/4-credit activity courses.
Active Learning Requirement
The Active Learning Experience (ALE) is an opportunity for students to explore interconnections among various venues for learning—courses, labor, service, research, internships, etc. All ALEs must include: a) learning through sustained, continual engagement in, reflection on, and assessment of experiences; b) the use of knowledge, imagination, and judgment to address questions in novel contexts; and c) the exploration of connections between theory and practice, and between learning in courses and from experiences outside the classroom. When the experience has a strong Service-Learning component, it is designated as ALE-SL which indicates that the course is an active learning experience as a result of its incorporation of Service-Learning. Students must complete one approved ALE or ALE-SL.