General Education

In order to complete the general education requirements, a student must complete 34 to 35 credit hours in the following areas and amounts. It is strongly encouraged that students work with an advisor and utilize DegreeWorks in the Barton Portal to complete their plan of study.

General Education Course List

Students may search for courses approved to fulfill general education requirements by admittance term below.

English Discipline Area

Six credit hours: English Composition I and English Composition II.

Outcomes

1. Effectively communicate in writing and speaking with clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness.
2. Present and support ideas in an organized manner consistent with the intended audience and purpose in both speaking and writing.
3. Locate and evaluate source information and incorporate it into their work in an ethical and legal fashion.
4. Identify communication techniques for effective elicitation of information including listening, speaking, writing and body-language.

Communications Discipline Area

Three credit hours: Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking.

Outcomes

1. Effectively communicate in writing and speaking with clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness.
2. Present and support ideas in an organized manner consistent with the intended audience and purpose in both speaking and writing.
3. Locate and evaluate source information and incorporate it into their work in an ethical and legal fashion.
4. Identify communication techniques for effective elicitation of information including listening, speaking, writing and body-language.

Mathematics & Statistics Discipline Area

Three credit hours in which the student takes the appropriate mathematics or statistics class based upon their area of study: Contemporary Mathematics, College Algebra, Elements of Statistics or higher-level math course.

Outcomes

1. Use empirical methods to determine and express relationships between properties or concepts.
2. Solve problems by applying appropriate strategies and logical reasoning.

Natural & Physical Sciences Discipline Area

Four to five credit areas which must include a lab for A.A. or A.S. degrees.  The subject disciplines include: Anatomy, Astronomy, Biochemistry, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Earth Science, Ecology, Environmental Science, Geology, Meteorology, Microbiology, Physical Geography, Physical Sciences, Physics, Physiology, and Zoology.  

Outcomes

1. Use empirical methods to determine and express relationships between properties or concepts.
2. Solve problems by applying appropriate strategies and logical reasoning.
3. Using scientific facts and ideas, examine and predict multiple outcomes for various encounters.
4. Explain major concepts related to living systems and the physical universe.

Social & Behavioral Sciences Discipline Area

Six credit hours, three from at least  two different subject disciplines.  The subject disciplines include: Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Economics, Ethnic and/or Gender Studies, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, and Sociology.  

Outcomes

1. Develop an understanding of the relation of self to world through investigations of social, cultural, economic, and political institutions in shaping human thought, value, and behavior.
2. Identify various social factors that influence behavior at multiple levels of human interaction.
3. Apply systematic and scientific strategies to examine current social issues and problems.
4. Analyze how people’s experiences and perspectives are shaped by social change or human behavior.
5. Analyze issues such as globalization, sustainability, multiculturalism, and prejudice (equality/inequality) within a society or culture.
6. Explain how the diverse range of human differences influences the historical and current formation of artistic, economic, social, scientific, cultural or political institutions.

Arts and Humanities Discipline Area

Six credit hours, three from  in, at least, two different subject disciplines.  The subject disciplines include  can be Art, Communications, Cultural Studies, Dance, English, General Humanities, History, Literature, Modern and Classical Languages, Music, Philosophy, Religion and Theatre.  

Outcomes

1. Effectively communicate in writing and speaking with clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness.
2. Analyze and interpret artistic performances and works of art utilizing the historical and cultural context.
3. Reflect on and explain the meanings of artistic works and performances.
4. Demonstrate historical literacy and articulate a view of history as a series of historiographical discussions.
5. Analyze and interpret the causes, course and consequences of major events in history.
6. Describe and evaluate the cultural perspectives within the human condition.
7. Develop appreciation for other cultures through language and other forms of expression.
8. Analyze and interpret literary texts, including their meanings, utilizing the historical and cultural context.

Technology, Performance and Personal Well-Being Discipline Area

Barton believes in developing the “whole” person so we are requiring six credit hours in this area. This area contains performance courses in the fine and performing arts, physical education and health, student success/college orientation, technology and computer programming, personal finance and coping with stress (as a few examples). 

Outcomes

1. Demonstrate technical knowledge and skills used in a digital-age work and learning environment in an ethical manner.
2. Practice communication, problem solving and decision-making using appropriate technology.
3. Participate in activities that enhance social inclusion, self-expression, personal and professional development. 
4. Develop habits which promote individual health and well-being (physical, mental and emotional). 

General education courses are subdivided into two “zones”, Foundation Courses and Introductory Courses, and eight “sectors”: Written and Oral Communication, Mathematical Reasoning, Technological Skills, Global Issues and Diversity, Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematics and Pure Science, and Personal Well-Being. The minimum distribution of credits and general education courses vary by degree.

General Education Course List

Students may search for courses approved to fulfill general education requirements by admittance term below.

Review Degree Requirements for Students Admitted Prior to Fall 2024 

General Education Outcomes

Zone 1: Foundation Courses

Sector A: Written and Oral Communication

1. Effectively communicate in writing and speaking with clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness.
2. Present and support ideas in an organized manner consistent with the intended audience and purpose in both speaking and writing.
3. Locate and evaluate source information and incorporate it into their work in an ethical and legal fashion.
4. Identify communication techniques for effective elicitation of information including listening, speaking, writing and body-language.

Sector B: Mathematical Reasoning

1. Use empirical methods to determine and express relationships between properties or concepts.
2. Solve problems by applying appropriate strategies and logical reasoning.

Sector C: Technological Skills

1. Demonstrate technical knowledge and skills used in a digital-age work and learning environment in an ethical manner.
2. Practice communication, problem solving and decision-making using appropriate technology.

Sector D: Global Issues and Diversity

1. Analyze issues such as globalization, sustainability, multiculturalism, and prejudice (equality/inequality) within a society or culture.
2. Explain how the diverse range of human differences influences the historical and current formation of artistic, economic, social, scientific, cultural or political institutions.

Zone 2: Introductory Courses

Sector A: Arts and Humanities

1. Effectively communicate in writing and speaking with clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness.
2. Analyze and interpret artistic performances and works of art utilizing the historical and cultural context.
3. Reflect on and explain the meanings of artistic works and performances.
4. Demonstrate historical literacy and articulate a view of history as a series of historiographical discussions.
5. Analyze and interpret the causes, course and consequences of major events in history.
6. Describe and evaluate the cultural perspectives within the human condition.
7. Develop appreciation for other cultures through language and other forms of expression.
8. Analyze and interpret literary texts, including their meanings, utilizing the historical and cultural context.

Sector B: Social Sciences

1. Develop an understanding of the relation of self to world through investigations of social, cultural, economic, and political institutions in shaping human thought, value, and behavior.
2. Identify various social factors that influence behavior at multiple levels of human interaction.
3. Apply systematic and scientific strategies to examine current social issues and problems.
4. Analyze how people’s experiences and perspectives are shaped by social change or human behavior.

Sector C: Mathematics and Pure Science

1. Use empirical methods to determine and express relationships between properties or concepts.
2. Solve problems by applying appropriate strategies and logical reasoning.
3. Using scientific facts and ideas, examine and predict multiple outcomes for various encounters.
4. Explain major concepts related to living systems and the physical universe.

Sector D: Personal Well-Being

1. Participate in activities that enhance social inclusion, self-expression, personal and professional development.
2. Develop habits which promote individual health and well-being (physical, mental and emotional).