University Foundational Studies

Coordinator: Dr. Linda Maule
General Education Office: Mezzanine, Rhoads Hall
Web site: www.indstate.edu/gened/
E-mail: gened@indstate.edu

Mission of the Foundational Studies Program

Indiana State University is committed to providing students with a high quality education that will develop their intellectual abilities while providing them with the skills and knowledge base they will need to successfully navigate the complexities of the twenty-first century.

A robust Foundational Studies Program is the cornerstone of this goal.  Together the student’s major and the Foundational Studies curriculum prepare students to be effective communicators, critical thinkers, and informed decision makers. The Foundational Studies curriculum also exposes students to multiple “ways of knowing” (e.g. scientific, social or behavioral, historical, literary, fine and performing arts, etc.) that will help them better understand the world in which they live.

Learning Outcomes for Foundational Studies:

1.  Locate, critically read, and evaluate information to solve problems;  

2. Critically evaluate the ideas of others;

3. Apply knowledge and skills within and across the fundamental ways of knowing (natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences, arts and humanities, mathematics, and history);

4. Demonstrate an appreciation of human expression through literature and fine and performing arts;

5. Demonstrate the skills for effective citizenship and stewardship;

6. Demonstrate an understanding of diverse cultures within and across societies;

7. Demonstrate the skills to place current and local experience in a global, cultural, and historical context;

8. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical implications of decisions and actions;

9. Apply principles of physical and emotional health to wellness;

10. Express themselves effectively, professionally, and persuasively both orally and in writing.

 Ia. Composition (Freshman) and,

Select course sequence or course based upon your ACT of SAT Verbal score:
 

Ib. Composition (Junior Level–must have completed 48 credit hours to enroll in a junior level composition course)

Select one course from the following:

www.indstate.edu/genedFSP2010_Learning_Objectives_and_Applied_Learning_by_Categorycompositionlearningobjectivesandappliedlearningrequirements.htm  

II. Communication

Select one course from the following:

www.indstate.edu/gened/FSP2010_Learning_Objectives_and_Applied_Learning_by_Category/communicationlearningobjectivesandappliedlearningreq.htm  

IIIa. Quantitative Literacy or,

Select from one of the following choices:

Take a course (ACT 21 or higher, or SAT 430 or higher, or Math Placement score of 7 or higher)

ACT 33 or higher, or SAT 650 or higher (exemption) or,

Quantitative Literacy Exemption Test (QLET score of 23 or higher)

http://www.indstate.edu/gened/FSP2010_Learning_Objectives_and_Applied_Learning_by_Category/quantitativelit.learningobj.andapplielearningreq.htm

OR 

IIIb. Mathematics

Select one course from the following, based upon  the student’s mathematics placement score:

http://www.indstate.edu/gened/FSP2010_Learning_Objectives_and_Applied_Learning_by_Category/mathmaticslearningobj.andappliedlearningreq.htm

IV. Non-Native Language

Select one of the following:

1. Four courses in high school in a single or multiple non-native languages, including American Sign Language, with a grade of C or better or,
2. Two courses at ISU in a single or multiple non-native languages or,
3. Two courses from an accredited college or university, in a single or multiple non-native languages, including American Sign Language or,
4. Completion of English as a Second Language requirements

 http://www.indstate.edu/gened/FSP2010_Learning_Objectives_and_Applied_Learning_by_Category/nonnativelanguagelearningobj.andappliedlearningreq.htm

V. Health and Wellness

Select one from the following:

www.indstate.edu/gened/FSP2010_Learning_Objectives_and_Applied_Learning_by_Category/healthandwellnesslearningobj.andappliedlearningreq.htm

VI. Science and Laboratory

Select one pair from the following:

www.indstate.edu/gened/FSP2010_Learning_Objectives_and_Applied_Learning_by_Category/scienceandlablearningobj.andappliedlearningreq.htm

VII. Social and Behavioral Sciences

Select one from the following:

www.indstate.edu/gened/FSP2010_Learning_Objectives_and_Applied_Learning_by_Category/socialandbehavioralscienceslearningobj.andappliedlearningreq.htm

VII. Literary Studies 

Select one from the following:

www.indstate.edu/gened/FSP2010_Learning_Objectives_and_Applied_Learning_by_Category/literarystudieslearningobj.andappliedlearningreq.htm

IX. Fine and Performing Arts

Select one from the following:

http://www.indstate.edu/gened/FSP2010_Learning_Objectives_and_Applied_Learning_by_Category/fineandperformingartslearningobj.andappliedlearningreq.htm 

X. Historical Studies

Select one from the following:

www.indstate.edu/gened/FSP2010_Learning_Objectives_and_Applied_Learning_by_Category/historicalstudieslearningobj.andappliedlearningreq.htm 

XI. Global Perspective and Cultural Diversity

Select one from the following:

www.indstate.edu/gened/FSP2010_Learning_Objectives_and_Applied_Learning_by_Category/globalperspect.andculturaldiversititylearingobj.andappliedlearningreq.htm

XII. Ethics and Social Responsibility

Select one from the following:

PHIL 190 - Ethics and Star Trek

www.indstate.edu/gened/FSP2010_Learning_Objectives_and_Applied_Learning_by_Category/ethicsandsocialresponsibility.htm 

XIII. Upper Division Integrative Electives

Select from one of the options listed below:

Three upper-division, integrative electives or,

One upper-division, integrative elective and a two-course equivalent study abroad experience or,

Two upper-division, integrative electives and a one-course equivalent study abroad experience or,

One upper-division, integrative elective and completion of a second major, a minor, a certificate, or an education degree where the content is taken outside of the Bayh College of Education.

www.indstate.edu/gened/FSP2010_Learning_Objectives_and_Applied_Learning_by_Category/integrativeandupperdivisionelect.learningobj.andappliedlearningreq.htm

The University Honors Program and Foundational Studies: students who complete the University Honor’s curriculum will have met the following requirements: social or behavioral studies, literary studies, fine and performing arts, ethics and social responsibility, and upper-division integrative electives.

Foundational Studies through Study Abroad: study abroad students should meet with the coordinator for academic programs abroad to discuss how to meet foundational studies requirements while studying abroad.  The upper division elective requirement, in part, can be met by taking courses abroad.