Credit Courses

General Education Policy

Mercer County Community College is committed to providing each student with an educational experience that is shaped by the best traditions of higher learning as it addresses the demands of the modern world. For some students, this experience includes concentrated study in particular subjects required for an intended career path. For all graduates of degree and credit-bearing certificate programs, this experience includes general education.

General education addresses a broad range of learning opportunities for students and establishes high standards for graduates. All degree graduates will be competent in written and spoken English. To the greatest extent appropriate for their degree or certificate, graduates:

• will be competent in critical and quantitative thinking and problem solving;
• will have been immersed in the critical study of what it means to be human;
• will have read, evaluated, appreciated and written about a wide range of texts and experiences;
• will have learned how to integrate their learning into a lifelong process of understanding themselves, others and the world;
• will have learned how to contribute toward a better future for themselves and for others.

To an extent consistent with its primary purposes, each course in every program is expected to reflect the college’s commitment to general education, as affirmed in the lists of General Education Core Competencies and General Education Goals and Objectives. (The list of goals and objectives was initially developed through the New Jersey County College General Education Project, and was revised and enhanced with the inclusion of core competencies through careful and collegial review at Mercer in 2004-05). The college’s intent is that these competencies, goals and objectives will be addressed throughout the curriculum, and thereby be realized to the greatest appropriate extent for each graduate.

The core competencies are not associated with specific courses or programs; rather, they are embedded to the greatest extent possible in all courses. The general education goals and objectives are pursued through specific courses which are classified as general education courses. A general education course is one whose primary purposes and overall design coincide strongly with the approved general education goals and objectives. The President designates which courses are approved as general education courses, and the categories in which they are approved, upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Committee.

The extent to which approved general education courses are required in the various degree and certificate programs is specified in the chart entitled Academic Program Requirements for General Education. These requirements may be met through particular general education courses specified in the design of the program, or through elective choices (from the approved list) afforded to the student in consultation with his or her advisor. These are the minimum requirements; as appropriate to the program, more general education courses may be required. Exceptions may be approved by the President when these requirements are inconsistent with external requirements for program accreditation or student transfer. This chart reflects greater emphasis on general education within Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Associate in Science (A.S.) transfer programs than within the more specialized Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.), Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.) and Certificate or Proficiency programs.

The faculty and administration share responsibility for assessing these General Education competencies, goals and objectives and improving and modifying courses, programs and this policy in response to such assessment.

Academic Program Requirements for General Education

General Education Goals	A.A. Degree (45 credits)	A.S. Degree (30 credits)	A.A.S. Degree (21 credits)	A.F.A. Degree (21 credits)	Certificate (3 credits)
Goal 1: Written and Oral Communication in English	9 credits ENG 101 and 102 CMN 111 or 112	9 credits ENG 101 and 102 CMN 111 or 112	6 credits ENG 101 ENG 112	6 credits ENG 101 ENG 112	3 credits ENG 101
Goal 2: Mathematics	12 credits total at least 3 credits to be mathematics at least 3 credits to be lab science	12 credits total at least 3 credits to be mathematics at least 3 credits to be lab science	3 credits	3 credits
Goal 3: Natural Science			3 credits	3 credits
Goal 4: Technology
Goal 5: Social Science	24 credits total at least 6 credits at least 6 credits at least 9 credits 3 credits*	9 credits total 3-6 credits	9 credits total (must include courses from at least 2 categories)	9 credits total [Visual and Performing Arts category of courses are not applicable as general education electives for A.F.A.] 3 credits*
Goal 6: Historical Perspective
Goal 7: Humanities Goal 8: Visual and Performing Arts Goal 9: Foreign Language
Goal 10: Diversity & Global Perspective
Interdisciplinary General Education

* Students in A.A. and A.F.A. programs must take Diversity and Global Perspective course from Social Science, Historical Perspective, Humanities, Visual and Performing Arts, Foreign Language, or Interdisciplinary General Education. That course may simultaneously count toward the fulfillment of both the Diversity and Global Perspective category and another general education goal category.
** It is recommended that students in A.S. and A.A.S. programs choose as one of their general education electives a course with a Diversity and Global Perspective designation.

General Education Core Competencies and Goals

General Education CORE COMPETENCIES Core competencies should be embedded – to the greatest extent possible – in all courses.	General Education GOALS Knowledge goals are associated with specific courses.
A. Written and Oral Communication in English B. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving C. Ethical Decision-Making D. Information Literacy E. Computer Literacy F. Collaboration and Cooperation G. Intra-Cultural and Inter-Cultural Responsibility	Goal 1: Written and Oral Communication in English Goal 2: Mathematics Goal 3: Natural Science Goal 4: Technology Goal 5: Social Science Goal 6: Historical Perspective Goal 7: Humanities Goal 8: Visual and Performing Arts Goal 9: Foreign Language Goal 10: Diversity and Global Perspective

General Education Core Competencies

A. Written and Oral Communication in English:
Students will communicate effectively in speech and writing, and demonstrate proficiency in reading. (See General Education Goal 1.)

A.1. Students will read, write, and listen actively, critically, and reflectively.
A.2. Students will logically, informatively, persuasively, and creatively respond orally and/or in writing to what they read, hear, and see.
A.3. Students will evaluate and revise their written and/or oral communication.
A.4. Students will write and speak clearly and effectively in formal American English.
A.5. Students will understand, analyze, and assess nonverbal, cultural, and gender communication in both small group and public communication settings.

B.1. Students will distinguish among opinions, facts, and inferences.
B.2. Students will identify and critique underlying or implicit assumptions.
B.3. Students will thoughtfully evaluate diverse perspectives and alternative points of view.
B.4. Students will ask informed questions and make informed judgments.
B.5. Students will solve problems by applying discipline-appropriate methods and standards.

C.1. Students will identify ethical implications of an issue or a situation.
C.2. Students will analyze and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different perspectives on an ethical issue or a situation.
C.3. Students will integrate their knowledge, take a position on an ethical issue or a situation, and defend it with logical arguments.

D.1. Students will recognize the value of using information to strengthen arguments and articulate a research question.
D.2. Students will identify resources needed and develop and modify appropriate search strategies to obtain the information required to answer a research question.
D.3. Students will recognize the factors that affect the quality of information and extract the pertinent information needed for the specific research question.
D.4. Students will integrate the information located in a cohesive manner that addresses the research question and communicate the information to the appropriate audience.
D.5. Students will respect the privacy, security, and ownership of the information they locate and use. Students will identify the ethical considerations relevant to the use of information, with a particular focus on how to prevent plagiarism.

E.1. Students will demonstrate proficiency in using major categories of computer software such as word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.
E.2. Students will be proficient in using an interface and managing files.
E.3. Students will use email and communication software effectively and appropriately.
E.4. Students will use a web browser and search engines to seek information and will recognize types of information and sources.
E.5. Students will understand the impact of computers on society.

F.1. Students will demonstrate communication skills that promote effective function and interpersonal relations within group situations or settings.
F.2. Students will recognize and employ strategies and role-playing which encourage a productive and supportive group climate.
F.3. Students will employ aspects of reflective thinking to solve problems utilizing brainstorming and consensus within collaborative projects.
F.4. Students will identify leadership, task, maintenance and self-serving roles and their effect on group function.

G.1. Students will understand the privileges and responsibilities of being a citizen in a democratic society.
G.2. Students will demonstrate understanding of the behaviors and beliefs of different social groups within a pluralistic society, including groups based on culture, ethnicity, race, religion, creed, disability, marital status, national origin or ancestry, age, gender, economic status, and sexual orientations.
G.3. Students will utilize strategies for effective cross-cultural communication.
G.4. Students will respect and appreciate diverse points of view.
G.5. Students will use inclusive language.

General Education Goals and Objectives

Goal 1. Written and Oral Communication in English:
Students will communicate effectively in speech and writing, and demonstrate proficiency in reading.

1.1. Students will read, write, and listen actively, critically, and reflectively.
1.2. Students will logically, informatively, persuasively, and creatively respond orally and/or in writing to what they read, hear, and see.
1.3. Students will evaluate and revise their written and/or oral communication.
1.4. Students will write and speak clearly and effectively in formal American English.
1.5. Students will understand, analyze, and assess nonverbal, cultural, and gender communication in both small group and public communication settings.

2.1 Students will develop graphical, numeric, analytical and verbal models to describe quantitative relationships that exist in the world and explain the connections between these various models.
2.2 Students will investigate and interpret these models using the mathematical skills, tools and reasoning appropriate to each type of model.
2.3 Students will draw logical conclusions by applying a variety of mathematical problem-solving strategies.
2.4 Students will be able to communicate mathematical concepts effectively.
2.5 Students will demonstrate an appreciation for mathematics, its historical development, its use as a precise language, and its value as a tool for solving complex problems in many disciplines.

3.1. Students will identify and analyze scientific information and theories, and, integrating and applying this knowledge, will use the scientific method to solve problems and draw conclusions from data.
3.2. Students will integrate scientific principles and scientific discovery, and will critically investigate the impact of science and scientific discovery on our understanding of the natural universe.

4.1. Students will demonstrate proficiency with electronic communications as appropriate to their program.
4.2 Students will demonstrate a working knowledge of a major domain of technological application.
4.3. Students will demonstrate the ability to use a particular technology or group of technologies to analyze or solve problems in general and within their academic discipline.
4.4. Students will explain the social and ethical issues that surround a particular technology or group of technologies and articulate their opinions about such issues using written and oral communications tools.

5.1. Students will analyze and appreciate how social and political institutions and organizations influence individual development and behavior.
5.2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the ways social scientists gather and analyze data, integrate knowledge, and draw conclusions, and will engage with these processes.

6.1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the causes of major historical events and analyze the impact of those events on a nation or civilization.
6.2. Students will critically interpret primary and secondary historical documents and critically evaluate the influence of perspective, time, and culture on the writers’ point of view.
6.3. Students will explain major ideas, movements, and technological discoveries, and their impact on western, world, and American society.

7.1. Students will read texts which enable them to identify and critically and creatively engage with significant themes of meaning and value across a range of traditions.
7.2. Students will demonstrate an awareness of interactions between significant themes and their contexts. These contexts include history, culture, and definitions of personal and communal identity.
7.3. Students will engage actively with the materials, methods, and resources of human imagination. They will draw upon the literary arts and the study of philosophical and religious systems of thought and practice in order to extend their own strengths of cultural, historical, and intellectual imagination.
7.4. Through their interaction with texts, students will apply their understanding to discovering and articulating connections between the texts and their personal senses of their own past, present, and future.

8.1. Students will recognize, analyze, and assess historical and contemporary works using accepted approaches and criteria.
8.2. Students will develop foundational skills using art media, music, dance, or dramatic material.
8.3. Students will apply skills and synthesize concepts to create and present individual performances and projects.
8.4. Students will assess and evaluate their work and that of their peers.

9.1. Students will learn basic vocabulary, grammar and everyday conversation in a foreign language.
9.2. Students will recognize the distinctiveness of foreign countries, their people, their literature, and their cultures.
9.3. Students will gain a measure of facility at interaction in a foreign language on topics involving that language's cultural and historical context and current issues of interest to native speakers of the language.

10.1. Students will link culture, its practices and perspectives, with its geographical and/or historical conditions.
10.2. Students will analyze how the differences in people’s background are important to American society.
10.3. Students will evaluate the consequences of prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory actions.
10.4. Students will analyze the impact of globalization on the economic and political structures of various nations and cultures.

April 27, 2005 - Board of Trustees approval
April 25, 2006 - Proposed Revisions