English and Communications

English and Communications courses focus on the development and practice of skills related to effective interpersonal and public communication (written, oral, and/or visual), reading comprehension, creative expression, and critical thinking.

Courses that meet this requirement include some or all of the following elements:

• Demonstrate that writing, reading, and/or communication skills are a central component of the course.
• Show that students are trained in the writing or communication conventions of the relevant discipline.
• Assure that examples of effective communication methods (written, oral, and/or visual) are provided and discussed.
• Explore the connections between course topics, the individual, and the broader context of society.

 

Fine Arts

Fine Arts courses are designed to cultivate students' skills in creative and interpretive expression, critical and analytical thinking, and the evaluation of artistic works or texts to develop well-supported arguments. 

 Courses that meet this requirement include the following elements: 

• Emphasis on the examination, interpretation, and/or creation of artistic and cultural expressions as a primary component. 
• Students should engage with and analyze specific materials or media relevant to the discipline.  
• The course must provide instruction on interpreting and analyzing the conventions, techniques, and structures of artistic media within the field. 
• Examples of artistic and cultural expression should be integrated into the curriculum for discussion and study. 
• Provide specific demonstration and explanation of the evaluation criteria.

 

Human Relations

Human Relations courses focus on issues of human behavior, interactions, and relationships within communities and society.  

Courses that meet this requirement include some or all of the following elements: 

• Show that students are exposed to the elements of interpersonal interaction. 
• Expose students to the critical analysis of human relations. 

 

Humanities

Humanities courses focus on intellectual traditions, cultural achievements, and historical processes. These courses develop skills in interpretation and analysis, creative and critical thinking, information literacy, and the expression of ideas with supporting evidence.  

Courses that meet this requirement include the following elements: 

• Show that students develop skills in the interpretation and analysis of human creations of material culture. 
• Examines the interplay between history, the arts, philosophy, religion, social/cultural dynamics, languages, geography, technology, and/or human experience. 

 

Mathematics

Courses that satisfy General Education requirements for Mathematics focus on the development of at least one of the following areas: 

•  Analysis of numerical data. These courses provide an opportunity for students to engage in mathematical or statistical reasoning about numerical data using quantitative methods.  

• Application of discipline-specific or career-specific mathematical tools or models. These courses provide an opportunity for students to choose, apply, and understand mathematical ideas, tools, or models to their chosen field of study.   
• Quantitative and/or analytical thinking. These courses provide an opportunity to apply analytical, inductive, or deductive reasoning to mathematical concepts. This may include the application of mathematical concepts to real-world problems.

 

Science

Science courses focus on knowledge of major scientific ideas and applications and their value to society. These courses emphasize a scientific approach to problem-solving that can include carefully observing phenomena; posing questions; gathering, categorizing, and analyzing data; making conclusions based on scientific analysis; and generating new questions and targets for investigation. Courses that fulfill the general education science requirement must include discussion and analysis of the methods of scientific inquiry. 

Courses that meet this requirement include the following elements: 

• Demonstrate that a substantial portion of the course includes scientific inquiry methods: carefully observing natural or experimental phenomena, posing questions, gathering data, making conclusions, and generating new hypotheses when appropriate.
• Demonstrate the value of science to society and policy-making.
• Demonstrate that scientific literacy is achieved by meeting the minimum set of learning objectives for the course. 

 

Social Sciences

Social Science courses focus on the study of human groups and their systems, institutions, and behavior for the overall benefit of society.  

Courses that meet this requirement include some or all of the following elements: 

• An examination of inter- and intra-personal behaviors.
• Show that students are exposed to and appreciate the value of the critical analysis of human behavior, social systems, and/or institutions. 

 

U.S. and NV Constitution

U.S. & Nevada Constitution courses focus on issues pertinent to the history of governance in the United States and the state of Nevada and analyze major forces underlying historical events, political institutions, and law within the United States. 

Courses that meet this requirement include the following elements: 

• The development of historical understanding and analytical skills necessary to participate in the civic spheres of American society. 

• Show that students have the requisite skills to examine the nature of government, institutions, and social relations in the United States. 
• Demonstrate that achieving the minimum set of competencies in the areas of critical thinking, historical analysis, and information literacy objectives will be assessed through assignments, exams, or other means.