2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived]

Foundational Studies Program


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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. Indiana State’s Foundational Studies Program is the cornerstone of this goal.  The Foundational Studies curriculum seeks to create well rounded individuals; students therefore have the opportunity to take courses in science, history, literature, behavioral sciences, and the fine arts.  The Foundational Studies Program also seeks to prepare students for active lives as citizens and includes courses on ethical behavior, social responsibility, and global perspectives.  Together, the major and the Foundational Studies curriculum prepare students to be effective communicators, critical thinkers, and informed decision makers.

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.

Foundational Studies Categories

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 I. Composition

Freshman Composition 

ENG 101 and ENG 105 (ACT < 20; SAT < 510), or

ENG 107 or ENG 108 (ACT 20 or higher; SAT 510 or higher), or

GH 101 and GH 201 (SAT verbal score of 650 or higher (or an ACT verbal score of 29 or higher) and completion of the University Honors curriculum

Junior Composition (must have completed 45 credit hours to enroll in a junior level composition course)

Select one upper-division course from the following:

BEIT 336  , ENG 305, ENG 305T, ENG 307, ENG 308, ENG 313  or HRD 340  

II. Communication

Select one course from the following:

COMM 101, COMM 202 

IIIA. Quantitative Literacy

a.  One Quantitative Literacy course, select from one of the following choices:

ECON 101, FIN 108, or MATH 102, MATH 241; or

b.  SAT Math score of 650 or above (or an ACT Math score of 27 or above)

IIIB. Mathematics

a.  One Mathematics course, select from one of the following choices:

MATH 115, MATH 241 or MET 215; or

b.  SAT Math score of 650 or above (or an ACT Math score of 27 or above)

IV. Non-Native Language

Select one of the following:

  1. Four courses in high school in a single or multiple non-native language, including American Sign Language, with a grade of C or better, or
  2. Two courses at ISU in a single or multiple non-native language (select from 101 and 101, or 101 and 102), or
  3. Two courses from an accredited college or university, in a single or multiple non-native language, including American Sign Language, or
  4. Completion of English as a Second Language Requirements (this is only for students who are non-native English speakers)

V. Health and Wellness

a.  Select one course from the following choices:

AHS 111 or PE 101; or

b.  Completion of U.S. armed military services basic training (reserves or enlisted – does not include ROTC training).

VI. Laboratory Science

a.  One Foundational Studies designated laboratory science course, select one pair from the following:

BIO 112 and BIO 112L, CHEM 100 and CHEM 100L, ENVI 110 and ENVI 110L, or PHYS 101 and PHYS 101L, or SCED 100 and SCED 100L; or

b.  Any two laboratory science courses from two different science disciplines. 

VII. Social and Behavioral Sciences

Select one course from the following:

AET 461, ECON 100, ECON 346, EPSY 202, EPSY 221, PSCI 130, PSCI 305, PSY 101, or SOC 101 

VIII. Literary Studies 

Select one course from the following:

ENG 239, ENG 338, ENG 339, ENG 346, LAT 215, or PHIL 321 

IX. Fine and Performing Arts

Select one course from the following:

ART 151, ARTE 390, COMM 240, COMM 336, ENG 219, IAD 110, MUS 150, MUS 233, MUS 236, MUS 333, THTR 150, or THTR 174 

X. Historical Studies

Select one course from the following:

HIST 113, HIST 201, HIST 202, HIST 313, or MUS 351 

XI. Global Perspective and Cultural Diversity

Select one course from the following:

AFRI 113, AFRI 212, AFRI 222, ECON 446 [Inactive], ENG 340, ENVI 130, ECON 347, EPSY 341, HIST 101, HIST 102, HRD 335, PSCI 105, SOC 110, SOC 465, or GNDR 301 

XII. Ethics and Social Responsibility

Select one course from the following:

AFRI 323, ATTR 413, BUS 204, CIMT 475, CNST 101 , CRIM 100, ECON 103, ENVI 442, ENVI 462, HIST 334, MKTG 150, MUS 418, PHIL 201, PHIL 303, PKG 381, PSCI 107, or GNDR 200 

XIII. Upper Division Integrative Electives

Select from one of the options listed below. Upper Division Electives require 45 earned credit hours or more at time of registration. 

a.  Select two upper-division, integrative electives from the following:

ACE 350, AET 330, AFRI 312, AFRI 329, AHS 305, BUS 401, COUN 425, CRIM 355, ECON 302, ECON 331, ECON 353, ECON 355, ELED 457 , ENG 335, ENG 484, ENG 486, ENG 487, ENVI 310,  ENVI 360/PHYS 360, ENVI 361, ENVI 376, ENVI 419, ENVI 423, ENVI 426, ENVI 460, EPSY 401, HIST 320, HIST 336, HIST 345, HIST 350, LLL 350, MATH 492, MUS 300,  MUS 329, MUS 350, NURS 486, PE 333, PHIL 313, PHYS 360, PSCI 479, PSY 350, PSY 485, SOC 302, SOWK 450, SOWK 494, TMGT 421, GNDR 402, GNDR 450, or Sycamore Career Ready Certificate; or

b.  One upper-division, integrative elective and a one-course equivalent study abroad experience; or

c.  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.

The University Honors Program and Foundational Studies.  Students who complete the University Honors 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.  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. 

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