Liberal Arts & Sciences: General Studies
65 Total CreditsThis program, as its name implies is best suited for those individuals who are unsure of their career goals and who wish to explore various options. The number of electives in the program allows for flexibility while achieving the credit for the degree. General studies is a transfer program; to a four-year college or into an existing degree at MVCC.
Goals & Outcomes
To prepare graduates to successfully transfer to a four-year institution.
- MVCC graduates of the program transfer to four-year institutions.
To prepare students to complete the General Studies program or do an internal transfer to other programs at the college.
- Students complete the General Studies program or transfer to other MVCC programs.
To enable students to improve their writing, speaking, reading, and study skills to increase chances for academic, personal, and professional success.
- Students will communicate information and ideas clearly in oral and written form using standard English.
- Students will be able to identify the main ideas and subtleties of simple and complex academic texts and literatures.
- Students will create written discourse using self-expressive, informative, persuasive, and literary aims.
- Students will effectively integrate information from various sources (lecture, text, visual, etc.) for learning and research purposes.
To encourage student exploration of courses in potential future majors and career fields.
- Students will complete a broad variety of courses in response to effective academic advisement.
To encourage students to develop critical thinking skills and habits of creative inquiry.
- Identify, analyze, and evaluate arguments as they occur in their own or other´s work.
- Develop well-reasoned arguments.
To encourage the valuation of inclusivity as well as individuality among students.
- Students will demonstrate productive inter-action with diverse individuals and ideas in their professional and personal lives.
To encourage the cultivation of quantitative problem solving ability.
- Students will develop responses using inductive and deductive reasoning while avoiding fallacies.
To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy.
- Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology.
- Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information.
ED100 College Seminar 1 cr
This course develops the skills necessary to improve success in college. It covers general College procedures, time management and study skills, and specific student responsibilities. Collaborative projects are included. Corequisites: This course must be taken in the students first fifteen hours of study.
EN101 English 1: Composition 3 cr
This course focuses on self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive writing. Emphasis is placed on the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations. Prerequisites: An appropiate placement test result, or successful completion of EN099 Introduction to College English, or successful completion of SL116 ESL 4: Advanced Composition.
Social Science Elective
PS101 American National Government 3 cr
This course introduces the discipline of political science through the study of American government. Topics include the concept of the political system, democracy in theory and practice, the historical background and content of the Constitution, Federalism, and the role of the Supreme Court in civil rights. It stresses these aspects of the American political system: public opinion, voting behavior, the electoral system, political parties, and modern campaigning techniques.
SO101 Introduction to Sociology 3 cr
This course gives an understanding of and a feeling for the society in which we live. The concepts and theories discussed relate to humanity, its culture and society, and to those forces that contribute to the smooth operation of this society as well as those forces that contribute to conflict and social problems. Topics include culture, socialization, stratification, population, and patterns of social organization.
PY101 Introduction to General Psychology 3 cr
This course introduces the many and varied facets of psychology. Emphasis is on interactions of individuals in their cultural, social, and economic environments as determined by their cognitive, behavioral, and emotional experiences and training.
BM101 Survey of Economics 3 cr
This course introduces economic theory and its relevance to daily life in a market economy. Topics include scarcity, supply and demand, choice, economic growth, taxation, and the role of government in the economy. Attention is given to current economic issues and their impact upon everyday life.
AN101 Biological Anthropology 3 cr
This course presents the biological and evolutionary history of humans. Basic concepts of evolutionary theory, human genetics, human biological adaptation and diversity, and the hominid fossil record are explored. It includes the behavior and ecology of living non-human primates.
Mathematics Elective
MA108 Concepts in Mathematics 3 cr
This course is a survey of mathematics for students in those programs that do not require a mathematics sequence. It provides an appreciation of mathematical ideas in historical and modern settings. Topics include problem solving, logic, geometry, statistics, and consumer mathematics. Prerequisite: An appropriate placement test result or MA045 Basic Math Skills or MA050 Introductory Mathematics.
MA110 Elementary Statistics 3 cr
This course introduces probability and statistics. Topics include graphs, tables, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, normal distribution, correlation and regression, probability, and inferential statistics. This course is available in two formats: lecture only, or lecture plus laboratory using technology. Prerequisite: An appropriate placement test result or MA045 Basic Math Skills or MA050 Introductory Mathematics.
Two Electives
PE Physical Education .5 cr
A wide variety of credit courses including but not limited to swimming, fitness center, badminton, tennis, golf, bowling and aerobic dance.
Second Semester15.5 Credits
EN102 English 2: Ideas & Values in Literature 3 cr
This course encourages a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in imaginative literature and a full-length book of nonfiction. Emphasis is placed on the use and development of critical thinking and language skills. Library-oriented research is required. Prerequisites: EN101 English 1: Composition.
Social Science Elective
PS101 American National Government 3 cr
This course introduces the discipline of political science through the study of American government. Topics include the concept of the political system, democracy in theory and practice, the historical background and content of the Constitution, Federalism, and the role of the Supreme Court in civil rights. It stresses these aspects of the American political system: public opinion, voting behavior, the electoral system, political parties, and modern campaigning techniques.
SO101 Introduction to Sociology 3 cr
This course gives an understanding of and a feeling for the society in which we live. The concepts and theories discussed relate to humanity, its culture and society, and to those forces that contribute to the smooth operation of this society as well as those forces that contribute to conflict and social problems. Topics include culture, socialization, stratification, population, and patterns of social organization.
PY101 Introduction to General Psychology 3 cr
This course introduces the many and varied facets of psychology. Emphasis is on interactions of individuals in their cultural, social, and economic environments as determined by their cognitive, behavioral, and emotional experiences and training.
BM101 Survey of Economics 3 cr
This course introduces economic theory and its relevance to daily life in a market economy. Topics include scarcity, supply and demand, choice, economic growth, taxation, and the role of government in the economy. Attention is given to current economic issues and their impact upon everyday life.
AN101 Biological Anthropology 3 cr
This course presents the biological and evolutionary history of humans. Basic concepts of evolutionary theory, human genetics, human biological adaptation and diversity, and the hominid fossil record are explored. It includes the behavior and ecology of living non-human primates.
Mathematics Elective
MA108 Concepts in Mathematics 3 cr
This course is a survey of mathematics for students in those programs that do not require a mathematics sequence. It provides an appreciation of mathematical ideas in historical and modern settings. Topics include problem solving, logic, geometry, statistics, and consumer mathematics. Prerequisite: An appropriate placement test result or MA045 Basic Math Skills or MA050 Introductory Mathematics.
MA131 Finite Mathematics 3 cr
This course emphasizes conceptual understanding and practical applications of logic, sets, probability, matrices, and linear programming. Prerequisite: An appropriate placement test result or MA108 Concepts in Mathematics.
PE Physical Education .5 cr
A wide variety of credit courses including but not limited to swimming, fitness center, badminton, tennis, golf, bowling and aerobic dance.
Third Semester16.5 Credits
EN150 Effective Speech 3 cr
This course is an introduction to public speaking. It emphasizes the fundamentals of preparing, organizing, supporting, and delivering the speech based on factual material. It includes topic selection, audience analysis, fact vs. opinion, outlining, supporting material, and visual support. Informative, demonstrative, and persuasive speeches are presented. Elements of interpersonal communication, logic, and persuasion are discussed. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition.
This course emphasizes conceptual understanding and practical applications of logic, sets, probability, matrices, and linear programming. Prerequisite: An appropriate placement test result or MA108 Concepts in Mathematics.
Social Science Elective
PS101 American National Government 3 cr
This course introduces the discipline of political science through the study of American government. Topics include the concept of the political system, democracy in theory and practice, the historical background and content of the Constitution, Federalism, and the role of the Supreme Court in civil rights. It stresses these aspects of the American political system: public opinion, voting behavior, the electoral system, political parties, and modern campaigning techniques.
SO101 Introduction to Sociology 3 cr
This course gives an understanding of and a feeling for the society in which we live. The concepts and theories discussed relate to humanity, its culture and society, and to those forces that contribute to the smooth operation of this society as well as those forces that contribute to conflict and social problems. Topics include culture, socialization, stratification, population, and patterns of social organization.
PY101 Introduction to General Psychology 3 cr
This course introduces the many and varied facets of psychology. Emphasis is on interactions of individuals in their cultural, social, and economic environments as determined by their cognitive, behavioral, and emotional experiences and training.
BM101 Survey of Economics 3 cr
This course introduces economic theory and its relevance to daily life in a market economy. Topics include scarcity, supply and demand, choice, economic growth, taxation, and the role of government in the economy. Attention is given to current economic issues and their impact upon everyday life.
AN101 Biological Anthropology 3 cr
This course presents the biological and evolutionary history of humans. Basic concepts of evolutionary theory, human genetics, human biological adaptation and diversity, and the hominid fossil record are explored. It includes the behavior and ecology of living non-human primates.
Mathematics Elective 3cr
Two Electives
PE Physical Education .5 cr
A wide variety of credit courses including but not limited to swimming, fitness center, badminton, tennis, golf, bowling and aerobic dance.
Fourth Semester16.5 Credits
HI102 History of Civilization 2 3 cr
This course is concerned with civilizations and their influences on each other in the modern world. It traces the rise of theWest to a position of world dominance and its impact on non-Western societies. Emphasis is placed on the major forces that have shaped the contemporary world - industrialization, urbanization, nationalism, militarism, imperialism, democracy, and communism.
Humanities Elective
Two Electives
Natural Science Elective
PE Physical Education .5 cr
A wide variety of credit courses including but not limited to swimming, fitness center, badminton, tennis, golf, bowling and aerobic dance.
Prerequisites
- High School Math Course 1 or its equivalent.
- High School Chemistry or its equivalent.
- Typing 1 or its equivalent.
- All incoming students must meet with the program coordinator prior to progression.
- We will accept you at your current level of readiness and provide opportunities for you to be successful at the college.
