BG Perspective (general education curriculum)
The BG Perspective curriculum provides a liberal studies foundation, preparing BGSU students for self-reliant learning throughout life and effective participation in a democratic society. BG Perspective classes, taken by all students at BGSU, reflect a deep conviction by the BGSU learning community and leaders in all professions that successful, satisfying lives require a wide range of skills and knowledge. Ethical integrity, reflective thinking, and social responsibility are characteristics of a liberally-educated person. Through active learning experiences, the BG Perspective curriculum provides students a solid foundation in both vital intellectual skills and breadth of knowledge to be successful in their major areas of study and later, in their chosen professions. These intellectual skills include the ability to think critically and communicate effectively; the ability to understand different cultures and modes of thought; and the ability to investigate forces that shape the social, artistic, scientific, and technological complexities of our contemporary culture and society.
The BG Perspective curriculum is defined by particular intellectual skills integral to all courses: critical thinking and effective communication, investigating and problem solving, and participation and leadership through active learning and engagement. Achievement of these skills is central to all courses in the following domains: English Composition and Oral Communication, Quantitative Literacy, Humanities and the Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Natural Sciences, as well as Cultural Diversity in the United States, and International Perspective.
The BG Perspective Curriculum
All candidates for a baccalaureate degree at Bowling Green State University must take at least 36 credit hours from the BG Perspective curriculum, distributed as follows:
At least one course in each of the following:
- English Composition and Oral Communication
- Quantitative Literacy
At least two courses in each domain:
- Humanities and the Arts
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Natural Sciences
Each student enrolled in a baccalaureate program must satisfactorily complete GSW 1120, one course approved for Cultural Diversity in the United States, and one course approved for International Perspectives.
Additional courses from any of the five bulleted categories listed above to reach a minimum of 36 credit hours.
BGSU Core Learning Objectives
Courses in the BG Perspective Program are aligned with BGSU's learning outcomes and are taught with particular emphasis upon BGSU's core learning objectives:
- Critical Thinking
- Oral and Written Communication
- Inquiry
- Engagement
- Information Literacy
BG Perspective Learning Outcomes for Each Domain
ENGLISH COMPOSITION AND ORAL COMMUNICATION
Upon the successful completion of English composition and oral communication courses, students will:
- Formulate effective, ethical written and/or oral arguments which are based upon appropriate, credible research
- Construct materials which respond effectively to the needs of a variety of audiences, with an emphasis upon academic success
- Analyze how the principles of rhetoric work together to promote effective communication
- Communicate effectively when participating in small groups and/or making formal presentations
- Utilize rhetorical strategies that are well-suited to the rhetorical situation, including appropriate voice, tone, and levels of formality
- Demonstrate critical thinking, reading, and writing strategies when crafting arguments that synthesize multiple points of view
QUANTITATIVE LITERACY
Upon the successful completion of quantitative literacy courses, students will:
- Interpret mathematical and statistical models such as formulas, graphs, tables, and schematics, and draw inferences from them
- Represent mathematical and statistical information symbolically, visually, numerically, and verbally
- Use arithmetical, algebraic, geometric and statistical methods to solve problems
- Estimate and check answers to mathematical problems in order to determine reasonableness, identify alternatives, and select optimal results
- Recognize that mathematical and statistical methods are based on assumptions and have limits
HUMANITIES AND THE ARTS
Upon the successful completion of humanities and the arts domain courses, students will:
- Apply humanistic modes of inquiry and interpretation in the illustration of the discipline's connection to human values
- Demonstrate a fundamental critical understanding of the role of art, language, and/or media in culture and society
- Examine how the social and cultural contexts of creative endeavours arise over a variety of historical periods
- Illustrate the development of verbal and non-verbal communication in the humanities and/or the arts
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
Upon the successful completion of social and behavioral sciences domain courses, students will:
- Describe significant social/behavioral issues/questions using appropriate theories and evidence
- Articulate how the values of the social/behavioral sciences impact decision-making in contemporary society
- Deconstruct social/behavioral arguments critically, refuting logical and reasoning flaws inherent in them
- Compose written or oral arguments related to issues or questions in the social/behavioral sciences
- Evaluate evidence supporting arguments and conclusions on each side of major social and behavioral issues
NATURAL SCIENCES
Upon the successful completion of BG Perspective natural science domain courses, students will:
- Describe how natural sciences can be used to explain and/or predict natural phenomena
- Identify misconceptions associated with the specific scientific discipline
- Explain simple quantitative data and its limits relative to the study of science
- Demonstrate the application of simple quantitative and qualitative data in the scientific process
- Solve problems using one or more of the logical approaches of science
- Reflect on the relevance of science to one's everyday life
CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE UNITED STATES
Upon the successful completion of cultural diversity in the United States courses, students will:
- Recognize the ways in which diverse cultures or subcultures have shaped and continue to shape American life
- Explain ways in which diverse cultures or subcultures have shaped and continue to shape American life
- Examine issues and challenges in cultural diversity from the perspectives of diverse cultures
- Compare values of their own subcultures(s) with those of others
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Upon the successful completion of international perspective courses, students will:
- Explain how national cultures affect world views or ways of thinking
- Explain how world issues and international connections impact people's lives/ways of life
- Analyze problems and possibilities inherent in global economic, geographic, ecological, political, social, and/or technological systems
- Demonstrate competency in speaking, reading, and/or writing a foreign language
WRITING PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT
Recognizing that the ability to communicate in writing is a valuable skill and a hallmark of an educated person, each student enrolled in a baccalaureate or associate degree program must satisfactorily complete GSW 1120 or give evidence of proficiency in written expression equivalent to that attained by the student who completes this course. No student can be excused from meeting this requirement, nor can the requirement be postponed.
The courses and services designed to aid students in meeting the writing requirement are coordinated through the General Studies Writing Program. The Writing Placement Test, administered through this program, assesses the writing skills of entering students. On the basis of this test, students are placed in GSW 1100 (Intensive Introduction to Academic Writing), GSW 1110 (Introduction to Academic Writing), or GSW 1120 (Academic Writing). A student may be required to take two or three of these courses, but no more than six hours of credit earned in these courses may be applied toward graduation. The writing proficiency of students is evaluated at the end of each course until students have reached the University proficiency requirement expected upon completion of GSW 1120. Students who receive transfer credit for English composition and communication courses taken elsewhere may be tested for writing proficiency if it is not clear that they have completed a course equivalent to GSW 1120. Students who wish to be exempted altogether from English composition are also tested for writing proficiency.
Special courses and services designed to aid fully-admitted international students in improving their English proficiency are coordinated through the program in English for Speakers of Other Languages. Upon reporting to the University and before registering for classes, all entering international students, except those whose native language is English, are required to take on-campus proficiency tests; international students transferring from other colleges and universities in the United States as well as students from Puerto Rico are also required to take these tests. On the basis of these tests, the University reserves the right to place students in ESOL 1000 (Academic Composition I), ESOL 1010 (Academic Composition II), or courses designed to develop the students' speaking and listening skills in English. A student may be required to take one or all of these courses, but no more than four semester hours of credit may be applied toward graduation. The English proficiency of students is evaluated at the end of each course until the students have reached the level of English language proficiency expected for admission into GSW 1100. The University also reserves the right to require enrollment in a special section of GSW 1100 which is offered for non-native speakers of English.
To encourage all students to pass GSW 1120 prior to the beginning of junior year, three credit hours are added to the graduation requirements of students who pass GSW 1120 after accumulating 60 credit hours; four hours to the graduation requirements of those with 90 or more credit hours.
The following students are exempt from this penalty:
- Students transferring to BGSU with 31 or more credit hours, provided that GSW 1120 is passed within the first 30 credit hours earned at BGSU after the transfer.
- International students who transfer to BGSU with 21 or more credit hours and for whom English is a second language. Exemption from the penalty must be recommended by the Director of International Programs and Partnerships (or the designee), and GSW 1120 must be passed within the first 40 credit hours earned at BGSU.
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE REQUIREMENT
The BG Perspective general education program requires students to complete an international perspective theme that facilitates student exploration of the significance of diverse international cultures within their own lives and promotes exploring the role of international issues and connections in our increasingly interconnected global society. Students are required to satisfactorily complete at least one approved course, from either the social and behavorial sciences or the humanities and the arts domains, that addresses an international perspective. Courses approved to satisfy this international perspective requirement are marked with an asterisk (*) in the general education course lists and online catalog.
An international experience, defined as an academic study abroad experience bearing three or more credits or a documented international military deployment of at least 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days, also will fulfill that International Perspective requirement.
Fulfilling the International Perspective requirement through a credit bearing study abroad experience is accomplished by contacting the Director of BG Perspective, who will request verification of the experience from the Education Abroad Office and then request that the Office of Registration and Records update the student's record, indicating that the International Perspective requirement has been fulfilled. If the study abroad experience was completed through another university, the student is responsible for providing the BGP Director with documentation regarding the experience.
Fulfilling the International Perspective requirement through international military deployment is accomplished by providing the Director of BG Perspective with documentation of the experience, typically a DD214 Form. The director subsequently will request that the Office of Registration and Records update the student's record, indicating that the International Perspective requirement has been fulfilled.
SPRING 2016 SEMESTER
BG PERSPECTIVE COURSE LISTING
Please note that the following course list applies to students who enter BGSU in Fall 2015 or thereafter.
Key:
* Courses which fulfill the International Perspective requirement
** Courses which fulfill the Cultural Diversity in the United States requirement
Note: All courses are worth 3 credit hours except as indicated ().
English Composition and Oral Communication | |
COMM 1020 | Introduction to Public Speaking |
GSW 1110 | Introduction to Academic Writing |
GSW 1120 | Academic Writing |
Quantitative Literacy | |
MATH 1150 | Introduction to Statistics |
MATH 1220 | College Algebra II |
MATH 1230 | Mathematics for Architecture and Construction (5) |
MATH 1260 | Basic Calculus (5) |
MATH 1280 | Precalculus Mathematics (5) |
MATH 1300 | Accelerated Precalculus Mathematics |
MATH 1310 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry (5) |
MATH 1340 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry IA |
MATH 1350 | Calculus and Analytic Geometry IB |
POLS 2900 | Statistics and Research Methods |
PSYC 2700 | Quantitative Methods I (4) |
SOC 2690 | Introductory Statistics |
STAT 2000 | Using Statistics |
STAT 2110 | Elementary Statistical Methods I |
STAT 2120 | Elementary Statistical Methods II |
Humanities and the Arts | |
ACS 2000 | Introduction to American Culture Studies |
ACS 2500 | Cultural Pluralism in the United States** |
ARCH 2330 | History of Architecture I* |
ARCH 2340 | History of Architecture II* |
ART 1010 | Introduction to Art |
ARTH 1450 | Western Art I* |
ARTH 1460 | Western Art II* |
ARTH 2700 | Survey of World Art* |
AS 1100 | Arts BG |
CLCV 2410 | Great Greek Minds* |
CLCV 2420 | Great Roman Minds* |
CLCV 3800 | Classical Mythology |
ENG 1500 | Response to Literature |
ENG 2010 | Introduction to Literature |
ENG 2110 | African American Literature** |
ENG 2120 | Native American Literature** |
ENG 2610 | World Literature from Ancient Times to 1700* |
ENG 2620 | World Literature from 1700 to Present* |
ENG 2640 | British Literature to 1660 |
ENG 2650 | British Literature 1660-1945 |
ENG 2740 | American Literature Survey to 1865 |
ENG 2750 | American Literature 1865-1945 |
ETHN 2200 | Introduction to African Literature* (also listed as ROCS 2200) |
FREN 2010 | Intermediate French I* |
FREN 2020 | Intermediate French II* |
FREN 2220 | French Culture* |
GERM 2150 | German Culture and Civilization* |
GERM 2160 | Contemporary Germany* |
HNRS 2020 | Critical Thinking about Great Ideas |
ITAL 2620 | Italian-American Experience: Mafia, Migration and the Movies** |
MUCT 1010 | Exploring Music |
MUCT 1250 | Exploring Music of World Cultures* |
MUCT 2220 | Turning Points: Arts and Humanities in Context |
MUCT 2610 | Music History I |
PHIL 1010 | Introduction to Philosophy |
PHIL 1020 | Introduction to Ethics |
PHIL 1030 | Introduction to Logic |
PHIL 1250 | Contemporary Moral Issues |
PHIL 2320 | Environmental Ethics** |
PHIL 2420 | Medical Ethics |
POPC 1600 | Introduction to Popular Culture |
POPC 1650 | Popular Culture and Media |
POPC 1700 | Black Popular Culture** |
POPC 2200 | Introduction to Folklore & Folklife |
ROCS 2200 | Introduction to African Literature* (also listed as ETHN 2200) |
RUSN 2150 | Russian Culture* |
RUSN 2160 | Post-Communist Russia* |
SPAN 2010 | Intermediate Spanish I* |
SPAN 2020 | Intermediate Spanish II* |
SPAN 2030 | Intermediate Spanish for the Professions* |
SPAN 2700 | Introduction to Latin American Cultural Studies* |
THFM 1410 | The Theatre Experience |
THFM 1610 | Introduction to Film |
THFM 2020 | Performance in Life & on Stage |
THFM 2150 | Exploring Cultural Diversity Through Performance** |
WS 2000 | Introduction to Women's Studies: Perspectives on Gender, Class, and Ethnicity** |
Social and Behavioral Sciences | |
AFRS 2000 | Introduction to Africana Studies* |
ASIA 1800 | Asian Civilizations* (also listed as HIST 1800) |
ASIA 2000 | Introduction to Asian Religions* |
CAST 2010 | Introduction to Canadian Studies* |
CDIS 1230 | Introduction to Communication Disorders |
ECON 2000 | Introduction to Economics |
ECON 2020 | Principles of Microeconomics |
ECON 2030 | Principles of Macroeconomics |
EDFI 2980 | School, Society, and Cultural Diversity** |
EIEC 2210 | Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Early Childhood** |
ENVS 1010 | Introduction to Environmental Studies |
ETHN 1010 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies** |
ETHN 1100 | Introduction to Latina/o Studies** |
ETHN 1200 | Introduction to African American Studies** |
ETHN 1300 | Introduction to Asian American Studies** |
ETHN 1600 | Introduction to Native American Studies** |
ETHN 2010 | Ethnicity and Social Movements** |
ETHN 2600 | Contemporary Issues in Native America** |
GEOG 1210 | World Geography: Eurasia & Africa* |
GEOG 1220 | World Geography: Americas and the Pacific* |
GEOG 2300 | Cultural Geography |
GEOG 2630 | The Rising Dragon: China's Global Reach* |
GERO 1010 | Aging, the Individual and Society |
HDFS 1930 | Lifespan Human Development |
HDFS 2020 | Contemporary Marriages and Families |
HIST 1510 | World Civilizations* |
HIST 1520 | Modern World* |
HIST 1800 | Asian Civilizations* (also listed as ASIA 1800) |
HIST 2050 | Early America** |
HIST 2060 | Modern America |
HNRS 2010 | Introduction to Critical Thinking (4) |
INST 2000 | Introduction to International Studies* |
POLS 1100 | American Government: Processes and Structure |
POLS 1710 | Introduction to Comparative Government* |
POLS 1720 | Introduction to International Relations* |
PSYC 1010 | General Psychology (4) |
SOC 1010 | Principles of Sociology |
SOC 2020 | Social Problems |
SOC 2120 | Population and Society |
SOC 2160 | Minority Groups** |
SOC 2310 | Cultural Anthropology* |
TCOM 1030 | Media and the Information Society |
TCOM 3520 | Online Social Media |
TECH 3020 | Technology Systems in Societies* |
Natural Sciences | |
ASTR 2010 | Modern Astronomy |
ASTR 2120 | The Solar System |
BIOL 1010 | Environment of Life |
BIOL 1040 | Introduction to Biology (4) |
BIOL 1080 | Life in the Sea |
BIOL 2040 | Concepts in Biology I (5) |
BIOL 2050 | Concepts in Biology II (5) |
CHEM 1000 | Introduction to Chemistry |
CHEM 1090/1100 | Elementary Chemistry (3/1) |
CHEM 1250 | General Chemistry I (5) |
CHEM 1350 | General Chemistry (5) |
ENVS 1940 | Changing Environment, Changing World |
FN 2070 | Introduction to Human Nutrition |
GEOG 1250 | Weather and Climate |
GEOL 1000 | Introduction to Geology |
GEOL 1040 | Earth Environments (4) |
GEOL 1050 | Life Through Time (4) |
GEOL 2150 | Geologic History of Dinosaurs |
PHYS 1010 | Basic Physics |
PHYS 2010 | College Physics I (5) |
PHYS 2020 | College Physics II (5) |
PHYS 2110 | University Physics I (5) |
PHYS 2120 | University Physics II (5) |
Cultural Diversity in the United States | |
Cultural Diversity in the United States courses approved to also fulfill a Humanities and the Arts requirement | |
ACS 2500 | Cultural Pluralism in the United States |
ENG 2110 | African American Literature |
ENG 2120 | Native American Literature |
ITAL 2620 | Italian-American Experience: Mafia, Migration and the Movies |
PHIL 2320 | Environmental Ethics |
POPC 1700 | Black Popular Culture |
THFM 2150 | Exploring Cultural Diversity Through Performance |
WS 2000 | Introduction to Women's Studies: Perspectives on Gender, Class, and Ethnicity |
Cultural Diversity in the United States courses approved to also fulfill a Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement | |
EDFI 2980 | School, Society, and Cultural Diversity |
EIEC 2210 | Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Early Childhood |
ETHN 1010 | Introduction to Ethnic Studies |
ETHN 1100 | Introduction to Latina/o Studies |
ETHN 1200 | Introduction to African American Studies |
ETHN 1300 | Introduction to Asian American Studies |
ETHN 1600 | Introduction to Native American Studies |
ETHN 2010 | Ethnicity and Social Movements |
ETHN 2600 | Contemporary Issues in Native America |
HIST 2050 | Early America |
SOC 2160 | Minority Groups |
International Perspective | |
GERM 2010 | Intermediate German I |
GERM 2020 | Intermediate German II |
International Perspective courses approved to also fulfill Humanities and the Arts requirement | |
ARCH 2330 | History of Architecture I |
ARCH 2340 | History of Architecture II |
ARTH 1450 | Western Art I |
ARTH 1460 | Western Art II |
ARTH 2700 | Survey of World Art |
CLCV 2410 | Great Greek Minds |
CLCV 2420 | Great Roman Minds |
ENG 2610 | World Literature from Ancient Times to 1700 |
ENG 2620 | World Literature from 1700 to Present |
ETHN 2200 | Introduction to African Literature (also listed as ROCS 2200) |
FREN 2010 | Intermediate French I |
FREN 2020 | Intermediate French II |
FREN 2220 | French Culture |
GERM 2150 | German Culture and Civilization |
GERM 2160 | Contemporary Germany |
MUCT 1250 | Exploring Music of World Cultures |
ROCS 2200 | Introduction to African Literature (also listed as ETHN 2200) |
RUSN 2150 | Russian Culture |
RUSN 2160 | Post-Communist Russia |
SPAN 2010 | Intermediate Spanish I |
SPAN 2020 | Intermediate Spanish II |
SPAN 2030 | Intermediate Spanish for the Professions |
SPAN 2700 | Introduction to Latin American Cultural Studies |
International Perspective courses approved to also fulfill a Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement | |
AFRS 2000 | Introduction to Africana Studies |
ASIA 1800 | Asian Civilizations (also listed as HIST 1800) |
ASIA 2000 | Introduction to Asian Religions |
CAST 2010 | Introduction to Canadian Studies |
GEOG 1210 | World Geography: Eurasia & Africa |
GEOG 1220 | World Geography: Americas and the Pacific |
GEOG 2630 | The Rising Dragon: China's Global Reach |
HIST 1510 | World Civilizations |
HIST 1520 | Modern World |
HIST 1800 | Asian Civilizations (also listed as ASIA 1800) |
INST 2000 | Introduction to International Studies |
POLS 1710 | Introduction to Comparative Government |
POLS 1720 | Introduction to International Relations |
SOC 2310 | Cultural Anthropology |
TECH 3020 | Technology Systems in Societies |
Updated: 12/01/2017 10:31PM