General Education: The Human Community
THE NATURAL WORLD | 10 credits (formerly Cluster Three: The Natural World) Natural World courses deepen your understanding of scientific and mathematical facts, concepts and models, expanding your application of analytical methods to check evidence, and develop and test theories. These include a college-level math course, science courses from two different areas and a one-credit laboratory. Complete your Natural World classes as soon as possible, by the end of your sophomore year, as they build upon former course work and experiences. AMERICAN & GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES | 7 credits (formerly Cluster Four: Social and Cultural Processes) These courses explore the key social and cultural processes that structure and shape the human experience. In today’s world, you must think about the scholarly perspectives and methodologies that guide analysis and inform public policy in our own society and in the global community. The three American Experience courses— HIST 225, JUST 225 and POSC 225—reflect JMU’s commitment to citizenship. SOCIOCULTURAL & WELLNESS | 6 credits (formerly Cluster Five: Individuals in the Human Community) By studying the variables that influence human behavior in society, you gain an understanding of the relationship between the individual and a diverse community and develop a sense of responsibility for self and others. You will explore how individuals develop and function in the social, intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual dimensions. Several of the Sociocultural & Wellness courses are requirements for majors or pre-professional programs. GenEd Abroad Study abroad programs are a great way to complete GenEds in all areas. The nine-week summer program in Scotland offers 13 credit hours across three clusters.
General Education: The Human Community is the core curriculum that all Dukes complete. The clusters assist you in developing skills, knowledge and mindset to succeed in all spheres of life — career, family, community and polity. Program requirements add up to 41 credits — one-third of your total credits! Following a routine academic program review, the five areas of the General Education program have been renamed this year to convey more clearly the skills and knowledge that students develop across the JMU core. Former names are provided in parentheses to assist in the transition. In the coming years, JMU faculty will be con- sidering other revisions to the current program’s language and structure. The program website will provide updates Learn more about the five clusters in the Prepare for Class Enrollment step. MADISON FOUNDATIONS | 9 credits (formerly Cluster One: Skills for the 21st Century) These three Foundations courses emphasize communica- tion and critical inquiry, including information literacy. They prepare you for success in the rest of your career at JMU. Prioritize them in your Fall enrollment, before choosing other General Education classes. Aim to complete them during your first two semesters at JMU. Your first summer at JMU is also an opportunity to complete Madison Foundations.
ARTS & HUMANITIES | 9 credits (formerly Cluster Two: Arts and Humanities)
These three courses deepen appreciation of the human condition and expression. Arts and Humanities assist in exploring our purpose, making sense of our experiences and understanding people from different eras, places and cultures. You can fulfill your Arts and Humanities require- ments by studying abroad. For more details, go to jmu. edu/gened/abroad.shtml.
For more information about GenEd and a complete listing of courses and requirements, go to jmu.edu/gened, call 540-568-2852 or email gened@jmu.edu.
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