General Education Requirements

DOMAIN GENERAL EDUCATION

The general education requirement is intended to provide breadth in the baccalaureate degree program to foster student learning beyond a single, narrow discipline or field. General education is designed to facilitate the increase of knowledge, an appreciation for learning in a broad context, the ability to relate new information to what one has learned previously, the capacity to judge information rather than to simply accept it, and the facility to use what one learns in a realistic and logical manner. In addition, the general education requirement is designed to help students to acquire the following learning objectives:

Learning Objectives
Overarching Objective: Solve Problems Using Critical Thinking
(All General Education courses should meet this objective.)

1.  Communicate Effectively Orally
2.  Communicate Effectively in Writing
3.  Solve Problems Using Quantitative Thinking
4.  Demonstrate a Critical Understanding of Human Diversity
5.  Demonstrate Civic Literacy
6.  Recognize Ethical and Social Responsibilities
7.  Locate, Evaluate, and Apply Information
8.  Solve Problems Using Creative Thinking
9.  Demonstrate Technological Competency
10.  Work Collaboratively and Independently

To fulfill the general education requirement, students must complete 10 course-credits outside the major department that meet broadly defined requirements. Courses are listed under each of the general education subdomains. Students are not allowed to substitute non-general education courses for general education credit.
At least one course taken in Domain II-B (Natural Sciences) must be a laboratory course. Courses that include a laboratory are identified in the listing.

In conformity with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and in consideration of the mission of the State Universities to prepare informed citizens, all students at Framingham State University pursuing teacher licensure must take a course that includes the study of both the United States and Massachusetts constitutions. Courses that include the study of the constitutions are identified in the listing.

Students, transferring from a Massachusetts public institution, who complete the MassTransfer Block (as indicated on the student’s final transcript) may be required to complete no more than two (2) Domain GenEd course requirements at Framingham State University. The two (2) specified requirements will be determined case by case per individual.

Found at the end of each department section in this catalog, each course number and title has a brief description of its content, followed by a statement on prerequisites, if any, explaining the requirements for admission to the course. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of and have met prerequisites prior to attempting any course. Courses appropriate for general education are identified by (Gen. Ed. Domain) following the course title.
Note: Students who have withdrawn for more than one semester must follow degree and general education requirements stated in the catalog at the time of their return.


In all majors, where upon completion of all requirements a degree is awarded (this excludes Pre-Engineering and Undeclared), one general education subdomain is considered satisfied through completion of the major program requirements. One exception to this is the major in Liberal Studies, with a concentration in either General Studies or Individualized Studies, where completion of all subdomains is required.

               
       

DOMAIN GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Common Core Requirements   Two (2) Course-Credits Required

1. ENWR 110 Composition II
   
   
2. MATH xxx College-Level Mathematics Course
   (Specific course dependent on math placement scores and major requirements).
   Any course used to fulfill this requirement cannot be used to fill any other General Education Requirement. ^{Note: A 200-level mathematics courses that is not General Education may be used to satisfy this requirement.}

Notes about Courses in the Common Core:

• Writing: The Common Core writing requirement must be completed within the first year of matriculating at the university
• Mathematics: The specific core math course students must take will be dependent on math placement scores and major requirements. This requirement must be completed within the first two years of matriculating at the university.

Domain I  - Three (3) Course-Credits Required
The study of representations of human experience.

I-A.    One (1) course in Creative Arts
The study of creative expression through the practice of artistic problem solving.

• ARTS 110 Introduction to Drawing
• ARTS 111 Introduction to Sculpture
• ARTS 120 Introduction to Painting
• ARTS 140 Introduction to Graphic Design
• ARTS 167 Introduction to Studio Art
• ARTS 168 Introduction to Animation
• ARTS 188 Introduction to Photography: Black and White
• ARTS 205 Photography of Architecture
• ARTS 241 Ceramics
• ARTS 246 Printmaking
• ARTS 290 Study Tour: Art & Architecture
• COMM 107 Effective Speaking
• COMM 214 Introduction to Acting
• COMM 226 Writing for Visual Media
• COMM 262 Television Studio Production
• COMM 280 Introduction to Film Production
• CSCI 108 HTML, JavaScript Programming, and Web Site Development
• CSCI 140 Introduction to the Internet, Graphics, and Multimedia
• ENGL 282 Creative Writing
• ENGL 284 Writing Fiction and Creative Nonfiction
• MUSC 111 Introduction to Electroacoustic Music Composition
• MUSC 280 Performative Exploration of Music
• RAMS 103EN First-Year Seminar: Creative Thinking through Creative

I-B.    One (1) course in Humanities
The study of artistic, literary, and philosophical works through analysis and interpretation.

• ARTH 160 Introduction to the World of Art
• ARTH 222 Sex, Drugs, and Suicides: The Artist in Popular Culture
• ARTH 226 History of Photography
• ARTH 273 Modern Art History
• ARTH 282 American Art
• ARTH 290 Study Tour: Art & Architecture
• CHIN 118 Chinese Writing System and Calligraphy
• COMM 130 Introduction to Visual Communication
• COMM 201 Oral Interpretation of Literature
• COMM 259 African Americans in Television and Radio
• ENGL 111 Reading Literature
• ENGL 118 Monsters
• ENGL 132 Alternative Pasts
• ENGL 150 Rebels and Revolution
• ENGL 186 Banned Books
• ENGL 201 Mythology and Folklore
• ENGL 207 The Language of Film
• ENGL 220 Shakespeare
• ENGL 228 Disability in Literature
• ENGL 232 Irish Literature
• ENGL 238 Environmental Literature
• ENGL 243 The American Short Story
• ENGL 261 American Writers I
• ENGL 262 American Writers II
• ENGL 275 Contemporary Latinx Literature
• HSTY 120 American Lives
• HSTY 123 Beasts, Battles, and Ballads: Life, Literature, and Art in Medieval Europe
• MUSC 121 Music Appreciation
• MUSC 136 Pathways to Musical Understanding
• MUSC 141 American Musics
• MUSC 248 History of Rock Music to the 1970's
• MUSC 275 History of Rock Music from the 1970's to Today
• PHIL 101 Invitation to Philosophy
• PHIL 118 Introduction to the Philosophy of Science
• RAMS 101EN First-Year Seminar: Explorations in Literature
• RAMS 103HI First-Year Seminar: Topics in Cultural History
• RAMS 102PH First-Year Seminar: Philosophy

I-C.    One (1) Language course
The study of language in its cultural contexts.

• ASGN 101 American Sign Language I
• ASGN 102 American Sign Language II
• CHIN 101 Elementary Chinese I
• CHIN 102 Elementary Chinese II
• CHIN 201 Intermediate Chinese I
• CHIN 202 Intermediate Chinese II
• FREN 101 Elementary French I
• FREN 102 Elementary French II
• FREN 201 Intermediate French I
• FREN 202 Intermediate French II
• PORT 101 Elementary Portuguese I
• PORT 102 Elementary Portuguese II
• PORT 110 Elementary Portuguese for Spanish Speakers
• PORT 201 Intermediate Portuguese I
• PORT 225 Business Communication in Portuguese    
• RUSS 101 Elementary Russian I
• RUSS 102 Elementary Russian II
• SPAN 101 Elementary Spanish I
• SPAN 102 Elementary Spanish II
• SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish I
• SPAN 202 Intermediate Spanish II
• SPAN 210 Cinema for Spanish Conversation
• SPAN 225 Business Communications in Spanish
• SPAN 234 Music and Culture in the Hispanic

Notes about Courses in this Domain
•    Language: Students should consult the World Language section of Placement testing to determine which course they are eligible to enroll it.

Domain II - Three (3) Course-Credits Required
The study of problem-solving, scientific discovery, logical reasoning, and quantitative analysis.

II-A.    One (1) course in Analysis, Modeling, and Problem Solving
The study of analytical, quantitative, and/or formal reasoning methods involving the manipulation of numbers or other symbols to solve problems.

• BUAN 204 Analytical Techniques for Business
• CSCI 111 Computational Thinking: Building Robots and Games
• CSCI 120 Introduction to Information Technology
• CSCI 130 Computer Science I Using Java
• DGHM 110 Introduction to Digital Humanities
• FINA 100 Principles of Financial Literacy
• GEOG 111 The Digital Earth
• HSTY 190 Introduction to Historical Data Analysis
• MATH 105 Quantitative Reasoning
• MATH 110 Mathematics for Elementary Educators I
• MATH 120 Mathematics for Elementary Educators II
• MATH 123 College Algebra
• MATH 180 Precalculus
• MATH 217 Business Calculus
• MATH 219 Calculus I
• MUSC 201 Theory I: Materials of Music
• PHIL 103 Introduction to Logic
• PHIL 131 Critical Reasoning
• QUAN 201 Quantitative Modeling for Business and Economics
• SOCI 205 Geographic Information Systems Mapping for the Social Sciences
• STAA 127 Statistics for Social Sciences
• STAT 107 Business Statistics
• STAT 117 Introduction to Statistics
• STAT 157 Probability and Statistics
• STAT 208 Statistics for the Natural Sciences

II-B.    Two (2) courses in Natural Sciences
(The two courses must be from two different subject codes; at least one of the courses must be a lab science course)
The study of classical and modern principles of life and physical sciences, together with a critical appreciation of how scientific knowledge has been constructed, including methods of validating the results of scientific inquiry.

• ASTR 128 Solar System Astronomy
• ASTR 130 Search for Life in the Universe
• ASTR 230 Stars and Galaxies
• BIOL 101/101L Biological Concepts with Lab
• BIOL 103 Biological Perspectives on Environmental Issues
• BIOL 109/109L Introduction to Biological Science with Lab
• BIOL 112/112L Biology of Marine Organisms with Lab
• BIOL 114 A Human Perspective on Genetics
• BIOL 130/130L Principles of Biology with Lab
• BIOL 142/142L Introduction to Human Biology with Lab
• BIOL 203 Plants and Society
• CHEM 101 The Chemistry of Life
• CHEM 103/103L Introductory Chemistry with Lab
• CHEM 107/107L Principles of Chemistry with Lab
• CHEM 108/108L Principles of Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis with Lab
• CHEM 131/131L Science, Environment, and Health with Lab
• EASC 101 Climate Change is Now: An Introduction to Earth Systems
• EASC 108 Understanding the Weather: Introduction to Meteorology
• EASC 118 Our Blue Planet: An Introduction to Oceanography
• FDSC 151 Principles of Food Science
• FDSC 161/161L Introduction to Food Science and Technology with Lab
• GEOL 108/108L Our Dynamic Planet: Introduction to Physical Geology with Lab
• HLTH 140 Introduction to Exercise Science
• NUTR 110 Fundamentals of Nutrition Science
• PHSC 109 Introduction to Physical Science with Lab
• PHYS 111/111L Physics, Nature, and Society with Lab
• PHYS 201/201L Physics with Applications to Earth and Life Systems with Lab
• PHYS 211/211L Principles of Physics I with Lab
• RAMS 101BI First-Year Seminar: Biological Perspectives
• RAMS 101CH First-Year Seminar: Topics in Chemistry
• RAMS 101ES First-Year Seminar: Earth Science Perspectives
• RAMS 101FS First-Year Seminar: Topics in Food Science
• RAMS 101NE First-Year Seminar: Topics in Neuroscience

Notes about Courses in this Domain
•    The specific Mathematics course used to satisfy the Common Core requirement cannot be used to fulfill Domain II-A.
•    Sciences: Students must take two (2) sciences courses, one of which must be a lab science course. The two courses may not have the same subject prefix code.

Domain III - Three (3) Course-Credits Required
The study of human behavior, cultures, and societies.

III-A.    One (1) course in Perspectives on the Past
The study of human behavior, culture, and expression through explorations of the past.

• ANTH 172 Interpreting the past: Archeological Perspectives
• ANTH 203 Human Origins
• ANTH 206 Forensic Anthropology
• ANTH 231 Great Discoveries in Global Archaeology
• ARTH 270 History of Art I
• ARTH 272 History of Art II
• ECON 106 American Economic History
• ENGL 209 Film History From 1895-1960
• FSHN 223 History of Costume
• FSHN 226 History of Textiles
• HSTY 105 Europe and the World to circa 1450
• HSTY 106 Europe and the World since circa 1450
• HSTY 111 United States History to Reconstruction
• HSTY 112 United States History since Reconstruction
• HSTY 165 Slavery, Race, and Rights in American History
• HSTY 169 Sex and the Sixties
• HSTY 176 Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness? The Age of Revolutions, 1750-1850
• HSTY 186 History of Modern Violence
• HTMG 128 Exploring Massachusetts Heritage Tourism
• MUSC 151 History and Literature of Jazz
• MUSC 220 Women in Music
• PHIL 201 History of Ancient Philosophy
• POSC 206 Constitutional Law: Powers of the Government
• POSC 209 The American Supreme Court
• POSC 211 Political Theory: Justice, Law, and Order
• POSC 223 Bureaucratic Politics and Power
• POSC 270 Race, Politics, and the Law
• POSC 272 Gender, Politics, and the Law
• RAMS 101HI First-Year Seminar: Explorations of the Past

III-B.    One (1) course in Perspectives on the Contemporary World
The study of human behavior, culture, and expression through explorations of the present.

• ANTH 161 Cultural Anthropology
• ANTH 243 Indigenous Cultures of North America
• ANTH 253 Gender Across Cultures
• ANTH 258 Critical Approaches to Men and Masculinities
• CFST 118 Child, Family, School, and Community: Connections and Collaborations
• COMM 115 Human Communication
• COMM 180 Introduction to Theatre Studies
• COMM 207 Interpersonal Dialogue
• COMM 215 Science Communication
• CRIM 121 Sociological Perspectives on Criminology
• CRIM 201 White Collar Crime
• CRIM 211 Crime and Inequality
• CRIM 224 Juvenile Delinquency
• CRIM 240 Drugs, Social Control and the Law
• CRIM 270 Social Deviance
• CSCI 135 Information, Technology, and Society
• DFST 101 Introduction to Deaf Studies
• ECON 100 Contemporary Economic Problems and Issues
• ECON 102 Principles of Microeconomics
• ENGL 203 Contemporary Global Literature
• ENGL 240 LGBTQ Literature
• FSHN 110 Fashion: Designer to Consumer
• FSHN 208 Sustainability in the Fashion Industry
• GEOG 101 Introduction to Human Geography
• GEOG 180 Native Americans: The Original Injustice on American Soil
• GEOG 211 Cultural Geography
• GEOG 237 Geopolitical Economy of Global Climate Change
• HLTH 110 Wellness for Life
• HTMG 101 Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism
• MUSE 110 Introduction to Museum Studies
• MUSC 171 World Music Cultures
• NUTR 212 Food System Sustainability
• PHIL 105 Introduction to Political and Social Philosophy
• POSC 110 Introduction to American Politics
• POSC 200 Model United Nations
• POSC 213 Political Parties and Interest Groups
• POSC 229 Public Policy Analysis
• POSC 250 American Legal Systems
• PSYC 101 General Psychology
• PSYC 200 Psychology of Development
• RAMS 101CM First-Year Seminar: The Power of Communication
• RAMS 102EN First-Year Seminar: Literature and the Contemporary World
• RAMS 101EV First Year Seminar: Environmental Science and Policy Perspectives
• RAMS 101GY First-Year Seminar: Geographical Perspectives
• RAMS 102HI First-Year Seminar: Commemoration and How We Remember the Past
• RAMS 101PO First-Year Seminar: Political Perspectives
• RAMS 101PS First-Year Seminar: Psychological Perspectives
• RAMS 101SO First-Year Seminar: Social Dynamics, Culture, and Society
• SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology
• SOCI 130 Social Problems
• SOCI 212 Sociology of Families
• SOCI 218 Women in Society
• SOCI 230 Law and Society
• SOCI 263 Social Inequality
• SOCI 282 Society, Technology, and the Future

III-C.    One (1) course Global Competency, Ethical Reasoning, and/or Human Diversity
The study of global systems and issues, ethical principles, and/or differences and commonalities among groups of people. Courses in this group can incorporate any or all of these topics.

• ANTH 207 Global Issues in Anthropology
• ANTH 290 Non-Western Cultural Studies Tour
• ARTH 200 Art and Social Values
• ARTH 285 The Art of Asia
• ARTH 288 Latin American Art
• CHIN 186 Through the Dragon’s Eyes: Modern China’s Cultures and Traditions
• COMM 202 Global Media
• CSCI 138 Information, Technology and the Environment
• ECON 101 Principles of Macroeconomics
• ECON 200 The Economics of Globalization
• EDUC 222 Sheltered English Immersion
• ENGL 124 Literature and Social Justice
• ENGL 231 Contemporary African American Cinema
• ENGL 248 Literature of the Harlem Renaissance
• ENGL 260 American Ethnic Literature
• ENGL 263 African American Women Writers
• ENGL 264 African American Literature
• FSHN 229 Cultural Dress
• GEOG 110 World Regional Geography
• GEOG 206 Political Geography
• GEOG 222 Geographic Perspectives on Globalization
• GEOG 250 Geography of the United States and Canada
• GEOG 252 Geography of Europe
• GEOG 254 Geography of Monsoon Asia
• GEOG 255 Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa
• GEOG 256 Geography of the Middle East
• GEOG 258 Geography of the British Isles
• GEOG 291 Western Regional Geography: Field Study
• GLST 101 Introduction to Global Studies
• HSTY 102 Comparative History of World Civilizations
• HSTY 134 Pharaohs, Slaves, and Cacao: Africa and the World
• HSTY 149 Twentieth Century China
• LING 110 The Languages of the World
• LING 200 Language and Linguistics
• PHIL 102 Introduction to Ethics: Why be Moral?
• PHIL 222 Bioethics
• POSC 120 Introduction to World Politics
• POSC 216 Film and Politics
• POSC 220 The Politics of Globalization
• POSC 269 Building Peace After Conflict
• RAMS 101AH First-Year Seminar: Storytelling through Art History
• RAMS 102BI First-Year Seminar: Biological Science and Society
• RAMS 101ED First-Year Seminar: Diverse Perspectives in Education
• SOCI 201 International Field Study in Sociology
• SOCI 203 Introduction to Critical Race Theory
• SOCI 204 Environmental Sociology
• SOCI 210 Latinxs in the United States
• SOCI 213 Social Class
• SOCI 220 Sports in Society
• SOCI 245 Race and Ethnicity
• SOCI 254 Social Conflict in Northern Ireland and Ireland
• SOCI 288 Immigration in the United States

Laboratory Courses: All students must take one laboratory science, to be chosen from among the following courses that satisfy General Education Domain II-B.

• BIOL 101L Biological Concepts Lab
• BIOL 109L Introduction to Biological Science Lab
• BIOL 130L Principles of Biology Lab
• BIOL 142L Introduction to Human Biology Lab
• CHEM 103L Introductory Chemistry Lab
• CHEM 107L Principles of Chemistry Lab
• CHEM 108L Principles of Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis Lab
• CHEM 131L Science, Environment, and Health Lab
• FDSC 161L Introduction to Food Science and Technology Lab
• GEOL 108L Physical Geology Lab
• PHYS 111L Physics, Nature, and Society Lab
• PHYS 201L Physics with Applications to Earth and Life Systems Lab
• PHYS 211L Principles of Physics I Lab

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COORDINATED EDUCATION MAJOR IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
The Domain General Education courses, with subjects related to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, are required for students in the Coordinate Major in Elementary Education.

• COMMON CORE:
  • ENWR 110 Composition II
  • MATH 110 College Mathematics I
• DOMAIN I-A:
  • ____ Any Course from Domain I-A

• DOMAIN I-B:
  • ENGL 262 American Writers II
• DOMAIN I-C:
  • ____ Any Language Course
• DOMAIN II-A:
  • MATH 120 College Mathematics II 

• DOMAIN II-B (2 courses required):
  • BIOL 101 Biological Concepts with Lab
  • PHSC 109 Introduction to Physical Science with Lab
• DOMAIN III-A:
  • HSTY 111 United States History to Reconstruction

• DOMAIN III-B:
  • PSYC 200 Psychology of Development
• DOMAIN III-C:
  
  • GEOG 110 World Regional Geography

_{Effective as of the 2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog}