General Education Curriculum

Location(s): Main Campus

The University of Bridgeport holds that professional and applied studies, later success in careers, as well as responsible and engaged citizenship, require a sophisticated grasp of the artistic, communicative, cultural, social, historical, and scientific achievements of the world; and that all learners and professionals should be able to interpret these domains and to communicate about them clearly and persuasively. All colleges and universities in the State of Connecticut are required by the Office of Higher Education to mandate that General Education courses compose at least “33 percent of the minimum requirements for the baccalaureate degree.” The University of Bridgeport fully supports the educational philosophy behind this mandate.

The University also believes that General Education should reflect the University’s educational mission. The General Education Curriculum draws upon the best practices of teaching and learning and seeks to stimulate creativity, intellectual growth, and development of analytical thinking. Thus, the University requires that a large majority of the forty credit hours of General Education be distributed among courses that promote the development of foundational skills, transmit the heritage of intellectual achievement, and offer seminars that initiate students’ entry into the academic culture of the university and mark their preparation for graduating from it. The remaining credits are to be fulfilled as Liberal Arts electives with “Liberal Arts” encompassing any course that is not designed primarily for skill or knowledge acquisition in a specific profession or field of work and includes the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics. The total number of General Education credit hours on a student’s record must be forty or higher and must satisfy the requirements outlined in the curriculum.

The required distribution of General Education courses through a range of disciplines reflects the mission of the University of Bridgeport. Courses from disciplines are chosen because they encourage reflection upon the interdependent nature of the world, contribute to global awareness, and encourage interdisciplinary modes of integrative learning. All classes in this curriculum contribute to academic development and lay the groundwork for success in graduate schools or students’ chosen professions. The General Education Curriculum represents what is best and distinctive about the University of Bridgeport.

The University’s General Education Curriculum Has Four Elements:

Skills
Heritage
Seminars
Liberal Arts Electives

I. The Skills Section

Skills classes help students learn how to think clearly, reason logically, and communicate effectively. These courses, normally taken in the first semester, lay the foundation for all further study. The University of Bridgeport requires competency for such skills through successful completion of two courses, one in Academic Writing (ENGL 101), and the other in Foundational Mathematics. Academic Writing (ENGL 101) develops foundational skills to write effectively, communicate persuasively, and understand information literacy techniques. Foundational Math courses at the 100-level develop analytical and quantitative reasoning abilities and effective problem-solving skills. (Note: Placement out of any course requires an equal number of credits to be completed in other approved liberal arts coursework toward the minimum forty required credit hours of General Education.)

English:

ENGL 101 - Academic Writing 3 Credit(s)

Math:

MATH 102 - Nature of Mathematics 3 Credit(s)
MATH 103 - Introduction to College Algebra 3 Credit(s)
MATH 106 - College Algebra 3 Credit(s)
OR
MATH 109 - Precalculus Mathematics 4 Credit(s)

II. The Heritage Section

Heritage classes introduce students to artistic, communicative, cultural, social, historical, and scientific perspectives. These courses help students see the world as plural and interdependent. Upper-level courses are suggested for students who are completing General Education requirements as juniors or seniors, or who have focused academic interests in a particular area of enquiry. Full course descriptions and any prerequisites found in the course catalog are linked below.

Three Hours of Fine Arts:

One of the following approved courses.

ADSN 117 - Survey of Art History I 3 Credit(s)
ADSN 118 - Survey of Art History II 3 Credit(s)
FTDM 181 - Introduction To Film 3 Credit(s)
FTDM 183 - Special Topics in Film, Television, and Digital Media 3 Credit(s)
FTDM 202 - African American Cinema 3 Credit(s)
FTDM 262 - Moving Image History 3 Credit(s)
FTDM 361 - American Film 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 121 - Survey of Western Classical Music: Elements and History 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 122 - Music in the Liberal Arts 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 123 - Song Logic 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 124 - Introduction to World Music 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 203 - Music History I 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 204 - Music History II 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 205 - Music History III 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 207 - History of Jazz 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 210 - Music in America 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 245 - History of Musical Theater 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 280 - Music Through Fiction 3 Credit(s)
THA 103 - Introduction to Western Theatre 3 Credit(s)
THA 133 - Fundamentals of Acting 3 Credit(s)
THA 245 - History of Musical Theatre 3 Credit(s)
Select Honors courses, as approved. See academic advisor or Honors Program Director for details

Six Hours of Humanities:

Two of the following courses. Courses from different disciplines are recommended.

ENGL 102 - Introduction to Literature 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 105A - Introduction to Drama 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 105B - Introduction to Fiction 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 110 - Major Figures in Literature 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 180 - Science Fiction 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 197 - Masterpieces of English Literature 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 207 - American Literature I 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 208 - American Literature II 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 209 - British Literature I 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 210 - British Literature II 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 212 - Masterpiece of World Literature 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 213 - Contemporary Drama 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 215 - Thematic Studies in Literature 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 216 - Introduction to Poetry 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 220 - Literature of Travel and Adventure 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 223 - Modern African-American Literature 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 228 - Immigrant and Indigenous Stories 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 233 - The Roots of Modern Culture 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 235 - Health and Medicine in Literature 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 252 - Women in Literature 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 305 - Shakespeare at the Movies 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 322 - Understanding English Grammar 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 325 - Contemporary Poetry 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 330 - Studies in 19th Century American Literature 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 332 - New Styles of Storytelling 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 357 - Studies in the Novel 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 395 - Topics in Literature 3 Credit(s)
HIST 100 - Major Figures in World History 1 Credit(s) (three 1-credit sections must be taken during the same semester)
HIST 222 - The Ancient Greeks 3 Credit(s)
HIST 223 - Ancient Rome 3 Credit(s)
HIST 228 - Foundation of Modern England 3 Credit(s)
HIST 229 - Modern England 3 Credit(s)
HIST 232 - History of Science 3 Credit(s)
HIST 233 - Roots of Modern Culture 3 Credit(s)
HIST 305 - Connecticut History 3 Credit(s)
HIST 335 - Topics in European/Non-West History 3 Credit(s)
HIST 336 - Portrait of an Age 3 Credit(s)
HUM C201 - Humanities I 3 Credit(s)
HUM 300 - Seminar 3 Credit(s)
HUSV 202 - Wellness Health and Happiness 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 101 - General Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 103 - Men, Women, Issues 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 104 - Logic and Scientific Method 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 110 - Health Care Ethics 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 203 - Ethics 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 205 - History of Western Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 210 - Animal Rights 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 211 - Philosophy of Human Rights. 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 213 - Philosophy of Science 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 323 - Classics in Political Theory 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 340 - Selected Topics in Philosophy 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 323 - Classics in Political Theory 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 324 - Recent Political Theory 3 Credit(s)
WREL 101 - Introduction to Religions 3 Credit(s)
WREL 102 - Introduction to Eastern Religions 3 Credit(s)
WREL 103 - Introduction to Western Religions 3 Credit(s)
WREL 204 - Hinduism 3 Credit(s)
WREL 205 - Buddhism 3 Credit(s)
WREL 207 - Judaism 3 Credit(s)
WREL 208 - Early Christianity 3 Credit(s)
WREL 209 - Introduction to Islam 3 Credit(s)
WREL 216 - Philosophy of World Religions 3 Credit(s)
WREL 221 - Religion and Fiction 3 Credit(s)
WREL 229 - Confucianism 3 Credit(s)
WREL 230 - Taoism 3 Credit(s)
WREL 301 - World Religious Literature 3 Credit(s)
WREL 305 - Comparative Religious Ethics 3 Credit(s)
Select Honors courses, as approved. See academic advisor or Honors Program Director for details

Six Hours of Natural Science:

Six hours met by any combination of the following courses and/or upper-level lab science courses for which students meet the prerequisites.

BIOL 101 - General Organism Biology 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 102 - Cell-Molecular Biology 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 106 - Elementary Microbiology 3 Credit(s)
BIOL 106L - Elementary Microbiology Lab 1 Credit(s)
BIOL 111 - Elementary Human Anatomy 3 Credit(s)
BIOL 113 - Anatomy and Physiology I 3 Credit(s)
BIOL 113L - Anatomy and Physiology I Lab 1 Credit(s)
BIOL 114 - Anatomy and Physiology II 3 Credit(s)
BIOL 114L - Anatomy and Physiology II Lab 1 Credit(s)
CHEM 103 - General Chemistry I 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 104 - General Chemistry II 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 113 - Introductory Chemistry 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 113L - Introductory Chemistry (Laboratory) 1 Credit(s)
CHEM 114L - Introduction to Biochemistry (Laboratory) 1 Credit(s)
CHEM 114 - Introduction to Biochemistry 3 Credit(s)
GEOL 105 - Introduction to Geology 3 Credit(s)
GEOL 205 - Environmental Geology 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 103 - Basic Concepts of Physics I 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 111 - Principles of Physics I 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 112 - Principles of Physics II 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 201 - General Physics I 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 202 - General Physics II 3 Credit(s)
PSYC 281 - Biological Psychology/Neuroscience 4 Credit(s)
SCI C101 - Our Changing Environment: The Earth and Climate 3 Credit(s)
SCI C102 - Humans and the Environment 3 Credit(s)
SCI 107 - Environmental Conservation 3 Credit(s)
SCI C201 - Our Environment: The Oceans 3 Credit(s)
SCI 204 - Connecticut Biodiversity and Natural History 3 Credit(s)
SCI C206 - Infectious Diseases and Epidemics 3 Credit(s)
SCI 215 - Criminalistics 3 Credit(s)
Select Honors courses, as approved. See academic advisor or Honors Program Director for details

Six Hours of Social Science:

Two of the following courses. Courses from different disciplines are recommended.

CJHS 118 - Intro Criminal Justice 3 Credit(s)
CJHS 218 - Human Security 3 Credit(s)
ECON 201 - Principles of Economics I - Macro 3 Credit(s)
ECON 202 - Principles of Economics II - Micro 3 Credit(s)
HIST 101 - World Civilization I to the 17th Century 3 Credit(s)
HIST 102 - World Civilization II - 17th Century to the Present 3 Credit(s)
HIST 207 - American History to 1877 3 Credit(s)
HIST 208 - American History Since 1877 3 Credit(s)
HIST 230 - The Civil Rights Movement 3 Credit(s)
HIST 240 - Latin American History 3 Credit(s)
HIST 241X - Modern Latin American History 3 Credit(s)
HIST 242X - History of Medicine in the US 3 Credit(s)
HIST 304 - Civil War and Reconstruction 3 Credit(s)
HIST 316 - Early African-American History 3 Credit(s)
HIST 317 - Twentieth Century African-American History 3 Credit(s)
HIST 335 - Topics in European/Non-West History 3 Credit(s)
HIST 361 - Modern Africa 3 Credit(s)
HSCI 210 - Global Public Health 3 Credit(s)
HUSV 302 - Multicultural Perspectives in Human Services 3 Credit(s)
PSYC 103 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit(s)
PSYC 201 - Child Psychology 3 Credit(s)
PSYC 202 - Adolescence 3 Credit(s)
PSYC 205 - Lifespan Developmental Psychology 3 Credit(s)
PSYC 230 - Abnormal Psychology 3 Credit(s)
PSYC 240 - Social Psychology 3 Credit(s)
PSYC 303 - Personality Psychology 3 Credit(s)
PSYC 322 - Theories of Self-Regulation 3 Credit(s)
PSYC 375 - Psychology of Stigma 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 101 - American Government 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 103 - Introduction to Political Science 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 203 - U.S. Foreign Policy 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 204 - Government and Politics Abroad 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 206 - The Political Economy of North-South Relations 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 207 - World Politics 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 208 - Public International Law 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 209 - Introduction to United Nations Studies 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 215 - International Human Rights 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 233 - An Introduction to the U.S. Legal System 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 299 - Selected Topics in Political Science 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 373 - Islam and Democracy 3 Credit(s)
SOC 101 - Principles of Sociology 3 Credit(s)
SOC 102 - Sociology of Social Problems 3 Credit(s)
SOC 118 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 Credit(s)
SOC 204 - Marriage and the Family 3 Credit(s)
SOC 231 - Cultural Anthropology 3 Credit(s)
SOC 270 - Sociology of Deviance 3 Credit(s)
SOC 310 - Race and Ethnicity 3 Credit(s)
SOC 311 - Juvenile Delinquency 3 Credit(s)
SOC 315 - Criminology 3 Credit(s)
SOC 348 - Religion & Society 3 Credit(s)
SOSC 207 - World Regional Geography 3 Credit(s)
WREL 348 - Religion and Society 3 Credit(s)
WREL 373 - Islam and Democracy 3 Credit(s)
Select Honors courses, as approved. See academic advisor or Honors Program Director for details

III. The Seminar Section

First Year Seminar

Required of all first-year students during their first semester of study, the First Year Seminar (FYS 101 ) introduces students to the values of a university education and teaches them how to examine and practice the academic norms of the University of Bridgeport. FYS explores foundational habits of learning, communicating, thinking critically, and self-care that will serve them throughout their undergraduate experience and beyond.

Capstone Seminar

Research, project, and presentation oriented, the Capstone Seminar (CAPS 390 ) represents a culmination of General Education coursework and provides a framework for the integration of content and synthesis of skills learned in the General Education curriculum. The seminars are limited to juniors and seniors who have completed at least 75 semester credit hours and the majority of required hours within the Skills and Heritage sections of the General Education Curriculum.

IV Liberal Arts Electives

A minimum of 7 Liberal Arts electives are required for General Education. Specific Liberal Arts electives may be directed by degree programs. A course may count as a Liberal Art elective if that course is designed primarily to promote multidisciplinary skills or knowledge, broad-based academic development, or any of the following:

A course fulfills the Learning Outcomes for any of the Skills Courses (such as Math or Writing) or Heritage (FA, NS, SS or HU courses);
The course Learning Outcomes fulfil the criteria for multiple categories listed above, but do not fit completely into to only one category;
The main course Learning Outcomes foster creativity, communication, analysis, or critical thinking.

General Education Curriculum Outcomes

The following lists of student learning outcomes contain the common elements for any course that fulfills the University of Bridgeport’s First Year Seminar, Capstone, Humanities, Fine Arts, Social Science, or Natural Science requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

FYS

Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate at a first-year college level, in both oral and written language.
Students will demonstrate the ability to use reasoning in assessing ideas, values, and beliefs of oneself and others.
Students will demonstrate understanding of core information literacy knowledge practices, including standards of academic integrity, by conducting effective research to locate quality sources that fit their specific research needs.
Students will demonstrate understanding of the tools necessary for succeeding in college-level academic courses.
Students will demonstrate ability to locate and use academic and student support services of the University such as advising, tutoring, counseling, career development, and other related services.
Students will demonstrate understanding of the processes and requirements for successful completion of a degree.
Students will demonstrate engagement in activities that promote a sense of both community and individual purpose in developing personal, civic, and/or professional identity.

Capstone

Students will identify and complete individual or group projects focused on topics relevant to their major programs or career goals (such as case studies, business plans, research papers, artwork, design concepts, engineered products, policy proposals, community organizing, poems/stories, or the like).

Students will demonstrate qualitative and quantitative research methods, as the topics allow, in their projects.
Students will present their substantive projects to an identified audience, using appropriate media (audio, visual, demonstrative, written, oral, etc.)
Students will use multidisciplinary sources to provide contextual significance of their projects within broader political, industrial, or social frames.
Students will gather quality information sources that establish their authority over the content of their presented projects.

Humanities

Upon completing a 6-credit requirement in the Humanities (two HU-designated courses), students will be able to understand and appreciate the role of literature, philosophy, religion, and/or history in shaping human culture and helping us make sense of our world. Students will demonstrate this by being able to:

Apply historical, interpretive and/or analytical methods to explore the human condition.
Demonstrate in speaking and writing the ability to present well-grounded interpretations of complex literary, historical, cultural, and philosophical bodies of knowledge.
Reflect upon human life, experience, existence, value, purpose and meaning in a globalized world.
Conduct scholarly research to identify and evaluate authoritative sources that identify significant literary, historical, cultural, and/or philosophical aspects of the human experience.

Fine Arts

Upon completing a 3-credit requirement in the Fine Arts (FA-designated courses), students will develop a basic appreciation for creative and performing arts, including visual art, music, theater, or film and be able to:

Analyze critically and interpret objects of art for their imaginative, aesthetic, or intellectual content.
Analyze creative art forms to explore human experience and critique, challenge and consider the effect on the nature of society.
Apply learned theory through creative work, practice, performance, or other practical applications.

Social Sciences

Upon completing a 6-credit requirement in Social Science (two SS-designated courses) students will understand and be able to evaluate the theoretical foundations that underpin the disciplines of economics, history, political science, psychology, or sociology and demonstrate that understanding by being able to:

Apply empirical methods, including quantitative and qualitative designs, to investigate and explain social phenomena in the pursuit of producing new knowledge.
Evaluate larger social problems challenging contemporary society as well as the policies and action designed to address these challenges.
Research, identify and evaluate authoritative sources that utilize social scientific methods and/or theoretical perspectives.

Natural Sciences

Upon completing a 6-credit requirement in Natural Sciences (two NS-designated courses) students will demonstrate competence in the following two areas:

Knowledge of factual content and major concepts in at least one scientific discipline - Students will be able to:
- Make connections between scientific concepts and everyday phenomena, real life applications and contemporary global issues.
- Identify and interpret scientific information presented in a credible media source or an article of scientific journalism.
Implementation of key attributes of the scientific method of inquiry - Students will be able to:
- Design, conduct and interpret laboratory experiments to test a hypothesis and reach conclusions.
- Interpret and manipulate quantitative information to arrive at appropriate conclusions.

Note On Course Transfer Policy

The University allows twenty-seven hours of the General Education Curriculum distribution hours to be transferred from other universities. The Capstone Seminar and at least one additional General Education elective course must be taken at the University of Bridgeport. The University of Bridgeport First Year Seminar is not required of transfer students who enter with 30 or more credits.