Page 114 - BSU Undergraduate-Catalog-2017-2019

and in any non-traditional education delivery process, such as distance learning.

GENERAL EDUCATION AND INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The GEIR (General Education and Institutional Requirements) is structured to provide a coherent,
integrated liberal arts education to a diverse population. The purpose of the GEIR is to assist
students in developing their personal capabilities in such a way as to reach the highest level of
personal achievement and to make their maximum contribution to society. A flexible program of
general courses and major requirements is designed to enable students to acquire a broad general
education and competence in a field of concentration. In particular, the general education program
aims to:

1. teach students the skills needed for writing, speaking, reading, and critical thinking;
2. develop students’ knowledge bases in the natural sciences, social sciences, and
humanities as a background for understanding the problems facing them as human
beings;
3. teach students how to apply their skills and knowledge so that they can find, evaluate,
and use the vast amount of available information;
4. develop a historical consciousness and an appreciation for the arts;
5. discern and evaluate the values that shape responsible members of society;
6. develop an interest in lifetime wellness; and
7. teach students to become independent, lifelong learners.

This Program will provide a sound basis for skills required in all majors, as well as the analytical
skills and the cultural and intercultural awareness required of all college-educated individuals.
Recognizing that many students, particularly in their early years in college, are undecided about their
career choices, the general education program will further increase their awareness of career
opportunities available to them and help them to make decisions in their best interests.
The GEIR is developed in conformance with the guidelines of the University System of Maryland
(USM) and the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). Because of an ongoing evaluation
by the University, USM, and MHEC, changes may occur in the general education requirements.
Every attempt will be made to notify the student when these changes occur. However, “the
General Education Program a student takes at one public college or university will transfer without
further review to another public institution without the need for a course-to-course match. That
is, courses defined as general education by one institution will transfer as general education even
if the receiving institution does not offer that specific course or has not designated that course as
general education.” This policy applies to State of Maryland institution as stated in the COMAR
General Education Standards for General Education courses.

Departments may select and recommend to the Schools' and University Curriculum Committees
additional courses for approval as general education requirements.

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