The General Education Program
General Education Themes
As a liberal arts college, Benedictine College is dedicated to providing a liberal arts education by means of academic programs based on a core of studies in the arts and sciences. Through these programs, the College guides students to refine their capacity for the pursuit and acquisition of truth, to appreciate the major achievements in thought and culture, and to understand the principles that sound theoretical and practical judgment requires.
Pursuit and Acquisition of Truth: In completing this theme of the general education program students will gain a deeper understanding of the truths inherent in studies of God (theology) and nature (natural world) and acquire the skills and means to continue the pursuit and acquisition of truth after graduation.
Major Achievements in Thought and Culture: In completing this theme of the general education program students will gain a greater appreciation for and understanding of the achievements of the human family across time, culture and languages.
Sound Theoretical and Practical Judgment: In completing this theme of the general education program students will develop the ability to distinguish coherent arguments and to formulate effective and persuasive responses to contemporary events.
General Education Categories
Our general education program seeks to achieve these goals by dividing the general education requirements into three categories: Core, Foundations, and Skills and Perspectives.
Core: The Core courses are classes that all students take at Benedictine College. The courses are designed both to lay the foundation for a successful academic career and to most clearly and explicitly communicate the mission of the College.
Foundations: The Foundations are where the College most explicitly focuses on transmitting the specific purposes of the general education program described above. The College does not require courses to be from specific departments but believes instead that it is essential that students be exposed to a wide variety of perspectives. Courses may be listed in two Foundations, but each course can only be applied to one Foundations area.
- Aesthetic Experience
- Faith
- Historical Perspective
- Person and Community in the Contemporary World
- Philosophical Inquiry
- Understanding the Natural World
Skills and Perspectives: The Skills and Perspectives courses are designed to ensure that the students are exposed to a variety of perspectives and learn the essential skills they will need for a successful life after college. Because the College believes these things can be accomplished in a variety of ways and in almost any discipline, the intention is that they can be met either through the general education program or in the major, without additional required hours. A student can be credited with up to three Skills and Perspectives (and a Foundation) in one course.
- Global Perspective
- Oral Communication
- Quantitative Analysis
- Scientific Method
- Visual Communication
- Western Perspective
- Written Communication
