General Education Core Curriculum (GE)
What is General Education at Northampton Community College?
An undergraduate degree is comprised of three parts: courses in the major, elective courses, and courses in the General Education Core Curriculum. Major courses define the program of study. Students choose electives that fit their individual interests. The General Education Core Curriculum is the part of the academic experience that all students have in common.
The GE Core defines an important set of knowledge and skills that will help our graduates to continue learning, adapt to change, and become citizens who can make wise choices and contribute to their community.
The General Education Core Curriculum is designed to go hand in hand with the major courses to develop skills that will serve students in their academic study, careers, and in their lives. Though in some designated GE Core courses the focus will be on particular outcomes, we expect that the knowledge and skills that are part of the GE Core Curriculum will be reinforced throughout the other major courses and electives
Courses satisfying various General Education Core requirements are listed below by category; such requirements must be satisfied by selecting courses from among the listings below. Unless otherwise specified, they are applicable to all degrees (A.A./A.S./A.A.S.).
General Education Core Goals and Learning Outcomes
I. Knowledge of Arts, Cultures and the Natural World
ARTS & HUMANITIES
Goal: Students should understand both the creative process and how works of human imagination and thought from diverse cultures, places, and times express varieties of human experience.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will discuss, analyze and interpret works that confront, express, and examine human experience.
Students will describe and explain the ways that language, literature, philosophy, or the visual and performing arts challenge or reinforce specific cultural or historic values and conditions.
SOCIAL SCIENCE
Goal: Students will demonstrate knowledge of Societies and Institutions Over Time (SIT) and the Scientific Study of Human Behavior (SSHB).
Learning Outcomes:
Students will identify and apply social science theories and concepts to behavioral or societal issues. (SIT & SSHB)
Students will explain how a social science discipline describes and analyzes social change or human behavior.
Students will describe how people’s experiences and perspectives are shaped by sex, gender, ethnicity, class, age, race, culture and other factors.
Note: Social science courses must address the first outcome and one of the two remaining outcomes.
SCIENCE
Goal: Students will demonstrate a working knowledge of scientific principles and concepts and be able to apply them to daily situations.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will explain the scientific method, recognizing the potential for uncertainty in the scientific inquiry.
Students will apply basic field and laboratory skills used for collecting and analyzing data according to the particular discipline.
DIVERSITY AND GLOBAL AWARENESS
Goal: Students will demonstrate an understanding of human diversity and an awareness of global issues through analysis of arts, histories, cultures, geographies, economics, medicine, scientific data and/or institutions.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will discuss and explain how the diverse range of human differences influences the historical and current formation of artistic, economic, social, scientific, cultural or political institutions.
Students will examine how the range of human differences influences each individual’s experience of equality and inequality within a society, its institutions, or its cultures.
Students will analyze how individuals and institutions have addressed persistent global challenges.
Note: to carry a diversity designation, the course needs to address at least one of the three outcomes.
II. Intellectual and Practical Skills
COMMUNICATION
Goal: Students will present and support ideas in an organized and coherent manner consistent with the intended audience and purpose in both speaking and writing.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will identify, analyze, and choose supporting materials in written and spoken communication.
Students will organize information with a central idea or thesis.
Students will differentiate among various audience needs in word choice, level of explanation, and method of presentation.
See Writing Intensive requirements and guidelinesGeneral Education Core Curriculum Requirements for Writing-Intensive (G) Courses
TECHNOLOGICAL COMPETENCY
Goal: Students will effectively use current technology as a tool for productive and professional communication and academic work.
Learning Outcomes:
Effectively select and use the appropriate technology applications or resources to accomplish specific goals
Be an active and responsible participant in online communities.
Understand the ethical facets of technology in a global society.
QUANTITATIVE LITERACY
Goal: Students will interpret and analyze quantitative data to solve problems.
Learning Outcomes
Students will interpret, analyze, and draw conclusions about data presented as words, abstract symbols, tables or graphs.
Students will use mathematics to model events and solve problems.
Students will communicate using mathematical language, symbols, data, and graphs.
INFORMATION LITERACY
Goal: Students will demonstrate research skills in gathering, evaluating, and using information.
Learning Outcomes
Students will locate and identify information
Students will evaluate source information and incorporate it into their work.
Students will use source information in an ethical and legal fashion.
Arts and Humanities (AH)
course (Architecture , AAS only) | Architectural History I - Antiquity to 1870 | 3 credits |
Art & Visual Thinking | 3 credits | |
Art History Survey | 3 credits | |
The Communication Arts | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Film | 3 credits | |
Understanding Culture Through Film | 3 credits | |
Dance History | 3 credits | |
Ballet I | 2 credits | |
Modern Dance I | 2 credits | |
Jazz I | 2 credits | |
Ballet II | 2 credits | |
Modern Dance II | 2 credits | |
Jazz II | 2 credits | |
British Literature I | 3 credits | |
Shakespeare | 3 credits | |
American Literature I | 3 credits | |
Plays: Classical to Contemporary | 3 credits | |
Multicultural Adolescent Literature | 3 credits | |
Latin American Literature | 3 credits | |
British Literature II | 3 credits | |
Creative Writing | 3 credits | |
American Literature II | 3 credits | |
Modern Poetry | 3 credits | |
20th Century Literature by Women | 3 credits | |
Fiction Writing | 3 credits | |
Contemporary Literature | 3 credits | |
Irish Literature | 3 credits | |
African-American Literature | 3 credits | |
Poetry Writing | 3 credits | |
American Work Experience | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Women and Gender Studies | 3 credits | |
Nature of the Environment | 3 credits | |
Creativity and the Origin of Ideas | 3 credits | |
Journalism and Society | 3 credits | |
Elementary French I | 3 credits | |
Elementary Spanish I | 3 credits | |
Elementary Chinese I | 3 credits | |
Elementary Arabic I | 3 credits | |
Elementary French II | 3 credits | |
Elementary Spanish II | 3 credits | |
Elementary Chinese II | 3 credits | |
Elementary Arabic II | 3 credits | |
Intermediate French I | 3 credits | |
Intermediate Spanish I | 3 credits | |
Intermediate Chinese I | 3 credits | |
Intermediate Spanish II | 3 credits | |
Intermediate Chinese II | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Music | 3 credits | |
On Death and Dying | 3 credits | |
World Religions | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Philosophy | 3 credits | |
Ethics & Moral Problems | 3 credits | |
Asian Philosophies | 3 credits | |
Ancient Philosophy | 3 credits | |
Modern Philosophy | 3 credits | |
Existentialism | 3 credits | |
What is Freedom? | 3 credits | |
Introduction to the Theatre | 3 credits | |
Acting I | 3 credits | |
Technical Theatre and Design | 3 credits | |
Stagecraft | 3 credits | |
Stage Voice and Movement | 1 credits | |
Stage Production | 1 credits | |
Directing | 3 credits | |
Plays: Classical to Contemporary | 3 credits | |
Acting II | 3 credits | |
Theatre Portfolio | 1 credits |
Critical Thinking (CT)
American Legal System | 3 credits | |
Criminal Law | 3 credits | |
Criminology | 3 credits | |
Contemporary Issues Criminal Justice | 3 credits | |
American Literature II | 3 credits | |
Contemporary Literature | 3 credits | |
Modern European History - 1815-Present | 3 credits | |
Weather and Climate | 4 credits | |
On Death and Dying | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Political Science | 3 credits | |
International Relations | 3 credits | |
American Constitutional Law | 3 credits | |
State and Local Government | 3 credits | |
Cultural Anthropology | 3 credits | |
Principles of Sociology | 3 credits | |
Deviance | 3 credits |
Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time (SIT)
course (A.A.S. only) | Architectural History II - 1870 to Present | 3 credits |
American Media History | 3 credits | |
Media and Society | 3 credits | |
Cultures, Peoples and the Environments of the World | 3 credits | |
Cultures, Economies and Environments of the US and Canada | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Global Studies | 3 credits | |
Field Experience and Academic Research in Global Studies | 3 credits | |
Global Studies Capstone | 3 credits | |
Ancient and Medieval History | 3 credits | |
American History I | 3 credits | |
The Black Experience | 3 credits | |
African Civilizations | 3 credits | |
Modern Chinese History | 3 credits | |
Foundations of Modern European History - 1300-1815 | 3 credits | |
American History II | 3 credits | |
The American Experience of Warfare | 3 credits | |
Civil War and Reconstruction | 3 credits | |
History of the Middle East | 3 credits | |
History of Latinos in the US | 3 credits | |
Modern European History - 1815-Present | 3 credits | |
Modern American History: 1945 to the Present | 3 credits | |
History of Science | 3 credits | |
History of Pennsylvania | 3 credits | |
American Media History | 3 credits | |
Implementing Sustainable Energy Systems in Developing Communities (Study Abroad) | 3 credits | |
Architecture of the City: Classic to Contemporary | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Political Science | 3 credits | |
American National Government | 3 credits | |
Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution (Study Abroad) | 3 credits | |
Politics of Modern Turkey (Study Abroad) | 3 credits | |
International Relations | 3 credits | |
Women and Politics | 3 credits | |
American Constitutional Law | 3 credits | |
State and Local Government | 3 credits | |
Cultural Anthropology | 3 credits | |
American Ethnicity | 3 credits | |
Issues in Contemporary Genocide and Mass Violence | 3 credits |
Social Science: Scientific Study of Human Behavior (SSHB)
Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 credits | |
Interpersonal Communication | 3 credits | |
Gender Communication | 3 credits | |
Macroeconomics | 3 credits | |
Food and Identity | 3 credits | |
Sustainable Food Systems | 3 credits | |
Environmental Sustainability | 3 credits | |
Investigating Climate Change | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 credits | |
Research Methods in the Social Sciences | 3 credits | |
Study Abroad | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Psychology | 3 credits | |
The Science of Happiness: Promoting Mental Well-Being | 3 credits | |
Research Methods | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Health Psychology | 3 credits | |
Child & Adolescent Psychopathology | 3 credits | |
Cognitive Psychology | 3 credits | |
Psychopathology | 3 credits | |
Developmental Psychology | 3 credits | |
Psychology of Sex & Gender | 3 credits | |
Principles of Sociology | 3 credits | |
Sociology of Families | 3 credits | |
Sociology of Gender | 3 credits |
Quantitative Literacy (QL)
course (A.A.S. only) | Technical Mathematics | 3 credits |
Math of Allied Health | 3 credits | |
course (Middle Level Education, Early Childhood Education & Special Education only) | Foundations of Mathematics I | 3 credits |
course (Middle Level Education & Early Childhood Education only) | Foundations of Mathematics II | 3 credits |
Nature of Mathematics | 3 credits | |
Applied Algebra | 3 credits | |
Trigonometry | 3 credits | |
Introductory Statistics | 3 credits | |
STEM College Algebra | 4 credits | |
Pre-Calculus | 4 credits | |
Applied Calculus | 3 credits | |
Calculus I with Review (Part 1) | 4 credits | |
Calculus I with Review (Part 2) | 4 credits | |
Calculus I | 4 credits | |
Calculus II | 4 credits | |
Calculus III | 4 credits | |
Differential Equations | 4 credits |
Science (SCI)
Field Ecology | 4 credits | |
Contemporary Biology | 4 credits | |
Biology I | 4 credits | |
In Your Genes | 4 credits | |
Essentials of Biology | 4 credits | |
Environmental Science | 4 credits | |
course (Healthcare Office Admin. , AAS only) | Basics of Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 credits |
Biology II | 4 credits | |
Human Biology | 4 credits | |
Introduction to Forensic Science | 4 credits | |
Microbiology for Allied Health | 4 credits | |
Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 credits | |
General Ecology | 4 credits | |
Chemistry in Contemporary Society | 4 credits | |
General Chemistry I | 4 credits | |
Chemistry of Life | 4 credits | |
Organic Chemistry I | 4 credits | |
General Chemistry II | 4 credits | |
Organic Chemistry II | 4 credits | |
Astronomy | 4 credits | |
Weather and Climate | 4 credits | |
Physical Geology | 4 credits | |
Physics I | 4 credits | |
Physics II | 4 credits | |
Physical Science II | 3 credits | |
Physics for Science & Engineering I | 5 credits | |
Physics for Science & Engineering II | 5 credits |
Diversity and Global Awareness (D)
Environmental Science | 4 credits | |
Environmental Biology | 4 credits | |
Introduction to International Business | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 credits | |
course (Criminal Justice, AAS only) | Contemporary Issues Criminal Justice | 3 credits |
The Communication Arts | 3 credits | |
Intercultural Communication | 3 credits | |
Understanding Culture Through Film | 3 credits | |
Gender Communication | 3 credits | |
Dance History | 3 credits | |
course (literature) | English II | 3 credits |
American Literature I | 3 credits | |
Plays: Classical to Contemporary | 3 credits | |
Multicultural Adolescent Literature | 3 credits | |
Latin American Literature | 3 credits | |
British Literature II | 3 credits | |
Creative Writing | 3 credits | |
American Literature II | 3 credits | |
Modern Poetry | 3 credits | |
20th Century Literature by Women | 3 credits | |
Contemporary Literature | 3 credits | |
Irish Literature | 3 credits | |
African-American Literature | 3 credits | |
Poetry Writing | 3 credits | |
Cultures, Peoples and the Environments of the World | 3 credits | |
Environmental Sustainability | 3 credits | |
Cultures, Economies and Environments of the US and Canada | 3 credits | |
Weather and Climate | 4 credits | |
Introduction to Global Studies | 3 credits | |
Field Experience and Academic Research in Global Studies | 3 credits | |
Global Studies Capstone | 3 credits | |
American History I | 3 credits | |
The Black Experience | 3 credits | |
Modern Chinese History | 3 credits | |
The American Experience of Warfare | 3 credits | |
Civil War and Reconstruction | 3 credits | |
History of the Middle East | 3 credits | |
History of Latinos in the US | 3 credits | |
Modern European History - 1815-Present | 3 credits | |
Modern American History: 1945 to the Present | 3 credits | |
American Work Experience | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Women and Gender Studies | 3 credits | |
Nature of the Environment | 3 credits | |
Creativity and the Origin of Ideas | 3 credits | |
course (Hospitality Programs only) | Strategic Leadership in Hospitality | 3 credits |
Implementing Sustainable Energy Systems in Developing Communities (Study Abroad) | 3 credits | |
Introductory Statistics | 3 credits | |
Elementary French I | 3 credits | |
Elementary Spanish I | 3 credits | |
Elementary Chinese I | 3 credits | |
Elementary Arabic I | 3 credits | |
Elementary French II | 3 credits | |
Elementary Spanish II | 3 credits | |
Elementary Chinese II | 3 credits | |
Elementary Arabic II | 3 credits | |
Intermediate French I | 3 credits | |
Intermediate Spanish I | 3 credits | |
Intermediate Chinese I | 3 credits | |
Intermediate Spanish II | 3 credits | |
Intermediate Chinese II | 3 credits | |
On Death and Dying | 3 credits | |
World Religions | 3 credits | |
Asian Philosophies | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Political Science | 3 credits | |
Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution (Study Abroad) | 3 credits | |
Politics of Modern Turkey (Study Abroad) | 3 credits | |
International Relations | 3 credits | |
Women and Politics | 3 credits | |
American Constitutional Law | 3 credits | |
State and Local Government | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Health Psychology | 3 credits | |
Developmental Psychology | 3 credits | |
course (Public Health, AAS only) | Social & Cultural Perspectives of Health | 3 credits |
course (Public Health, AAS only) | Introduction to Global Health | 3 credits |
Cultural Anthropology | 3 credits | |
Principles of Sociology | 3 credits | |
American Ethnicity | 3 credits | |
Sociology of Families | 3 credits | |
Deviance | 3 credits | |
Issues in Contemporary Genocide and Mass Violence | 3 credits | |
Social Problems | 3 credits | |
Plays: Classical to Contemporary | 3 credits |
Information Literacy
English I | 3 credits | |
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English II | 3 credits | |
OR | ||
English II | 3 credits | |
OR | ||
English II | 3 credits | |
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Introduction to Communication | 3 credits | |
Research Methods | 3 credits |
All courses listed as Communication: Writing Intensive General Education Courses (WI)
All courses listed as Communication: Writing Intensive Program Courses (WI)
Communication: Writing Intensive General Education Courses (WI)
Contemporary Biology | 4 credits | |
British Literature I | 3 credits | |
Shakespeare | 3 credits | |
American Literature I | 3 credits | |
Plays: Classical to Contemporary | 3 credits | |
Multicultural Adolescent Literature | 3 credits | |
Latin American Literature | 3 credits | |
British Literature II | 3 credits | |
American Literature II | 3 credits | |
Modern Poetry | 3 credits | |
20th Century Literature by Women | 3 credits | |
Contemporary Literature | 3 credits | |
Irish Literature | 3 credits | |
African-American Literature | 3 credits | |
Environmental Sustainability | 3 credits | |
Cultures, Economies and Environments of the US and Canada | 3 credits | |
American History I | 3 credits | |
The Black Experience | 3 credits | |
Foundations of Modern European History - 1300-1815 | 3 credits | |
The American Experience of Warfare | 3 credits | |
Civil War and Reconstruction | 3 credits | |
History of the Middle East | 3 credits | |
History of Latinos in the US | 3 credits | |
Modern European History - 1815-Present | 3 credits | |
American Work Experience | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Women and Gender Studies | 3 credits | |
Research Methods in the Social Sciences | 3 credits | |
On Death and Dying | 3 credits | |
Ethics & Moral Problems | 3 credits | |
American National Government | 3 credits | |
Women and Politics | 3 credits | |
American Constitutional Law | 3 credits | |
State and Local Government | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Psychology | 3 credits | |
Developmental Psychology | 3 credits | |
Cultural Anthropology | 3 credits | |
Principles of Sociology | 3 credits | |
Sociology of Families | 3 credits | |
Plays: Classical to Contemporary | 3 credits |
Communication: Writing Intensive Program Courses (WI)
Automotive Shop Management Practices | 3 credits | |
Business Communications | 3 credits | |
Organic Chemistry I | 4 credits | |
Computer Science I | 4 credits | |
Cyberethics | 3 credits | |
Criminology | 3 credits | |
Scriptwriting | 3 credits | |
Introduction to Communication Theory | 3 credits | |
Culinary Arts Management Practicum | 3 credits | |
Preventative Oral Health Services III | 2 credits | |
Small Parts and Special Topics | 2 credits | |
Vascular Ultrasound Special Topics | 3 credits | |
Echocardiography Seminar and Capstone Project | 2 credits | |
Internship-Early Childhood | 3 credits | |
Microeconomics | 3 credits | |
Adolescent Development & Cognition | 3 credits | |
Computer Electronics Practicum II | 3 credits | |
Electrical Construction Practicum | 2 credits | |
Electromechanical Technology Practicum | 2 credits | |
Hospitality Management Practicum | 3 credits | |
HVAC/R Technology Practicum | 2 credits | |
Feature Writing | 3 credits | |
Writing for Public Relations | 3 credits | |
Legal Writing | 3 credits | |
Child Psychology | 3 credits | |
Applied Quality Practicum | 3 credits | |
Acute Care of Illness and Injury | 3 credits | |
Behavior Support | 3 credits | |
Sports In Society | 3 credits | |
Animal Disease | 3 credits |