Requirements — General Education

General Education Program Requirements

The General Education program is experienced via a range of courses, including a writing and critical thinking sequence (ENG 1000 / IDS 1600 / ENG 2010 / IDS 2000); various "Ways of Knowing" courses drawn from different departments on campus; and specific requirements realized in a student's final two years on campus.

I. Aurora University's core sequence relating to written communication and critical thinking includes:

1. ENG1000 Introduction to Academic Writing

2. IDS1600 Culture, Diversity and Expression
   OR
   IDS1610 Being Human: Ethics and Morality (from the ground up)

3. ENG2010 Composition II:  Introduction to Research Writing

4. IDS2000 Wellness and Social Responsibility
   OR
   IDS2020 Trajectories of Human History
   OR
   IDS2030 Science and Society
   OR
   IDS2040 Global Justice

In particular, the IDS courses allow students to read texts closely, engage in reflection and discussion on fundamental questions from a variety of perspectives, and translate those endeavors into effective argumentative writing. Faculty members are drawn from across the university. The two IDS courses are also "writing intensive," meaning that attention to writing and revision are core elements of the courses, with students' final essays being assessed based on a university rubric.

II. As articulated in the Undergraduate Catalog, all students complete coursework drawn from three "Ways of Knowing" categories, which roughly correspond to the the social sciences, sciences, and humanities. A list of approved courses within these categories appears below. These courses still retain a General Education focus on reading, speaking, writing, and critical thinking, while allowing students to experience coursework within different departments on campus, consistent with the campus' commitment to a liberal arts education.

III. The curriculum also provides several other General Education experiences. First, students are required to demonstrate proficiency in mathematics and technology (for more information, please see #2 on p.35 of the Undergraduate Catalog, as well as 7b on pp.36-37). Students also take certain General Education offerings in their final two years, such as a 3000-level writing intensive course in the major and an upper-level General Education course. Additionally, students complete a senior capstone course in their major, allowing for reflection on experience and service.

Approved General Education Ways of Knowing Courses

Knowing Ourselves and Others A (Select at least one course from Group A)

Knowing Ourselves and Others B (Select at least one course from Group B)

Observation of the Natural World (Select at least two courses)

Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression A (Select at least one course from Group A)

Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression B (Select at least one course from Group B)