Curriculum Information2008-09 Catalog Archive (Archived August 21, 2008)
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Core Curriculum
Penn College has established a core curriculum for each of its credentials. The core is intended as a broad foundation that will extend the competence students develop within their majors. The core corresponds with the College Philosophy which speaks to "personal enrichment…prosper in a complex and changing society...think independently, value logical and tested conclusions, develop problem-solving abilities, and function effectively with other people." Through the courses that satisfy core requirements, students are challenged to integrate knowledge from a variety of disciplines and to extend their learning experience to areas beyond the major. The intended goals of the core curriculum are integrated with and are indirectly measured by students' demonstrated competence in their major courses.
Goals of the Core Curriculum
- Structure written and verbal communication that is clear, coherent, unified, and focused
- Operate successfully in the workplace and in social, political, and decision-making environments using skills and knowledge developed from a comprehensive program of study
- Use current knowledge, access new information, integrate material from diverse fields, and work effectively with others to define and solve problems and adapt to change
- Professionally and ethically strive for excellence, which contributes to the community, society, and the global environment
- Understand that personal and social productivity and creativity are integrally linked with maintaining physical and mental health and with a commitment to learning as a lifelong endeavor
- Use computers for word processing, organization of data, communication, research, and for quantitative and analytical purposes
Degree-Specific Cores
Communications: 9 credits, including ENL 111, ENL 121 or ENL 201, and any SPC course
Mathematics: 6 credits
Science: 7 credits, including one lab science
Humanities: 3 credits
Social Science: 3 credits
Arts: 3 credits
Humanities/Social Science/Arts/Foreign Language/Applied Art/International Field Experience: 6 additional credits as defined within the major
Liberal Arts: 3 credits as defined within the major
Health and Fitness: 2 credits
Computer Information: CSC 110
Special-designation courses that may also satisfy other requirements: Cultural Diversity, Science/Technology/Society, Writing-Enriched
Associate of Arts
Communications: 9 credits, including ENL 111, ENL 121, and SPC 101 or SPC 201
Mathematics: 6 credits
Science: 7 credits, including one lab science
Humanities/Art/Social Science/Foreign Language: 12 credits
Health and Fitness: 2 credits
Computer Information: CSC 110
Additional requirement: Cultural Diversity elective
Associate of Applied Arts and Associate of Applied Science
Communications: 6 credits, including ENL 111
Mathematics: 3 credits
Science: 3 credits
Humanities/Social Science/Art /Foreign Language/Applied Art/ International Field Experience: 3 credits
Health and Fitness: 1 credit
Computer Information: CSC 110
Majors leading to a certificate in a special field of study focus on occupational preparation and skill development. They range in length from two to four semesters. Core requirements include
Communications: 3 credits
Mathematics: 3 credits