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General Education Requirements (GER)

GER for Fall 1999 class and thereafter  | GER for Fall 2005 class and thereafter

Emory College General Education Requirements
(Effective for the entering class in Fall 1999 and thereafter)

Revised January 18, 2005.

The general education component of an Emory undergraduate education presents an array of intellectual approaches and perspectives as ways of learning rather than a prescribed body of content.These requirements help students develop competencies in the skills and methods of writing, quantitative methods, a second language, and physical education; help students become familiar with methodologies that characterize the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences-- the three broad divisions of learning in the arts and sciences; help deepen students' perspectives on national, regional, and global history and culture; and help give every student some exposure to an interactive seminar experience.To achieve these goals, students choose from a range of individual courses within a clearly defined framework.

I. Seminars and Writing
II. Natural and Mathematical Sciences
III. Social Sciences
IV. Humanities
V. Historical, Cultural, and International Perspectives
VI. Health and Physical Education
General Stipulations

I. Seminars and Writing

A. Freshman Writing Requirement

Every freshman will complete either English 101 or 181 or Comparative Literature 110.

These courses work at refining a student's fundamental writing skills through practice either in expository prose discourse or written analysis and interpretation of works of literature.

B. Post-Freshman Writing Requirement

Every student must satisfactorily complete three writing-intensive courses after the freshman year; normally, students complete two of these courses before the senior year and one during the senior year.

To satisfy the post-freshman writing requirement in any given year, students must earn a grade of C or better in an approved post-freshman writing requirement course. At least one of the three courses must be a standard writing-intensive course that does not have as its primary focus creative writing (including screen writing), journalistic writing, or intensive writing in a foreign language. Students may count no more than one course from each of these areas and no more than two courses total from them toward the post-freshman writing requirement.

A thesis written by a student and accepted by the Honors Program may be used to satisfy the requirement in the senior year.

The goal of writing-intensive courses is the continual improvement of writing skills through writing regularly in a context where mentors from various communities of academic discourse encourage, guide, and communicate to students high standards of writing through instruction and example.

If a course satisfies the post-freshman writing requirement in a given semester, the course number will carry the suffix "WR" in the schedule of courses for that semester. A course counts towards the requirement only when the "WR" appears.

C. Two seminars

Every student will take two seminars in the course of study at Emory. One will be taken during the freshman year from a group of seminars designed for and restricted to freshmen. The other will be taken at the upper level later in the student's career.

The seminars, representing a wide range of fields and topics, are designed to engage students in various aspects of inquiry and research with the close guidance of a faculty member.

1. Freshman
(One course from the following)

Departments have the responsibility for designating courses as freshman seminars and assuring that they meet the criteria as specified in the GER guidelines. In most cases these courses will carry a "190" designation (e.g. POLS 190). Freshman seminar courses using other designations, such as special seminar sections of introductory courses, must clearly specify that they are for freshman only and include the suffix "S" (e.g. PHIL 100S "Freshman Seminar: Introduction to Philosophy").

2. Advanced
(One course)

Departments have the responsibility for designating courses as seminars and assuring that they meet the criteria as specified in the GER guidelines. Courses meeting the requirements for an advanced seminar will be designated by a suffix "s" in the Course Atlas and the Schedule of Courses.

II. Natural and Mathematical Sciences

A. Quantitative Methods

One course in mathematics or computer science.

The requirement aims at expanding a student's understanding of quantitative modes of analysis. It may be satisfied by one course in calculus, probability and statistics, computer science methods, or another approved course in mathematics or computer science without quantitative prerequisites, as listed below.

CS 110 Computer Science Fundamentals

CS 170 Introduction to Computer Science

MATH 107 Introduction to Probability and Statistics

MATH 108 Introduction to Linear Algebra

MATH 109 Game Theory, Graphs, and Mathematical Models

MATH 111 or 115 Calculus I (111)/Life Sciences Calculus I (115)

MATH 112z Calculus II

MATH 119 Calculus with Business Applications

B. Natural Sciences

Two courses, at least one of which is a laboratory course. One course must be taken in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies/Geosciences, or Physics; the second course may come from these fields or from approved courses in Anthropology, Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, or Psychology.

These courses demonstrate fundamental principles and techniques of scientific inquiry as a means of understanding the natural world and human life.

1. Laboratory courses

ANT 201 Concepts and Methods in Biological Anthropology

BIO 120 Concepts in Biology with Laboratory

BIO 141 or 151 Cell and Development Biology, with Laboratory

BIO 142 or 152 Organismal and Population Biology, with Laboratory

CHEM 120 Selected Topics in Chemistry, with Laboratory

CHEM 141 General Chemistry I, with Laboratory

CHEM 142 General Chemistry II, with Laboratory

ENVS/GEO 130 Global Earth Systems, with Laboratory

ENVS 132 Integrative Methods in Environmental Studies with Lab

ENVS/GEO 141 Introduction to Geology, with Laboratory

ENVS/GEO 142 Evolution of the Earth, with Laboratory

PHYS 116 Introductory Astronomy, with Laboratory

PHYS 141 or 151 Introductory Physics I (141); General Physics (151)

PHYS 142 or 152 Introductory Physics II (142); General Physics: (152)

2. Non-Laboratory courses

ANT 140 Evolutionary Anthropology

ANT 210 Human Biology – A Life-Cycle Approach

CHEM 105 How Things Work

CHEM 130 The Atmosphere

CHEM 140 Order & Disorder

ENVS/HNE 120 Human and Natural Ecology

ENVS 131 Introduction to Environmental Studies

ENVS/GEO 135 Environmental Geology

NBB 201/ANT 200 Foundations of Behavior

PHYS 115 Introduction to Astronomy

PHYS 121 How Things Work

PHYS 190G Einstein’s Space-Time

PHYS 190H Envisioning Light

PSYC 103 Brain and Behavior

PSYC 110 Introduction to Psychology I

III. Social Sciences

Two courses offered by departments in the Division of Social Sciences from the list below. The two courses must be taken in different departments.

These courses focus on individuals and/or groups in society to demonstrate how the social sciences use theory and methods to expand our understanding of social phenomena.

AAS 100 Introduction to African American Studies

AAS 101 Dynamics of the Black Community

AAS 346/POLS 346 African American Politics

ANT 101 Introduction to Anthropology

ECON 101 Principles of Microeconomics

ECON 112 Principles of Macroeconomics

EDS 302 Child and Adolescent Development and Education

EDS 314 Education and Cultural Diversity

IDS 315/ANTH 322/WS 322 Introduction to Gay and Lesbian Studies

POLS 100 National Politics in the United States

PSYC 111 Introduction to Psychology II

SOC 101 Introduction to General Sociology

SOC 103 Introduction: Human Socialization

SOC 225/WS 231 Sociology of Sex and Gender

WS 100 Introduction to Women’s Studies

IV. Humanities

Two courses, one from each of the areas below, designed to engage the student in reflection on aesthetic, ethical, and social values through the analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of written texts and artistic forms.

A. One course must be in the analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of written texts and/or documents. Its aim is to develop the ability to read and analyze closely and to interpret independently literary, philosophical, or religious texts or historical, political, or sociological documents.

AAS 271/ENG 358 African American Literature to 1900

CHN 373/REL 374 Confucian Classics

CHN 272 Premodern Chinese Literature

CL 101 Introduction to Classical Literature

CL 102 Classical Mythology

CLST 102 Literature and Thought in Antiquity

CPLT 301 Methods of Literary Interpretation

CPLT 302 Literary Theory

CPLT 333 Literature and Other Disciplines

EDS 310 Classics in Educational Thought

ENG 210 Major Authors for Non-Majors

ENG 211 Literature and the Arts

ENG 212 Readings in Popular Literature and Culture

ENG 213 Fictions of Human Desire

ENG 250 American Literature: Beginnings to1865

ENG 251 American Literature: 1865 to Present

ENG 256 British Literature since 1660 (Major British Authors)

ENG 358/AAS 271 African American Literature to 1900

FREN 314 What Is Interpretation?

FREN 361 Topics in Translation

GER 205 German Literature in Translation

HIST 241 History and Text

ITAL 375 Topics in Italian Literature in Translation

ITAL 376R Topics in Italian Culture in Translation

JPN 372 Introduction to Modern Japanese Literature in Translation

JS 205/REL 205 Biblical Literature

MES 125 Introduction to Jewish Literature

PHIL 100 Introduction to Philosophy

PHIL 110 Introduction to Logic

PHIL 115 Introduction to Ethics

POLS 304 Major Texts in Political Theory

REL 150/MES 160 Introduction to Sacred Texts (also in V.C.)

REL 210 Classic Religious Texts

RUSS 271 Masterpieces of Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature in English Translation

RUSS 360 Dostoevsky in English Translation

RUSS 372 Twentieth-Century Russian Literature in English Translation

SPAN 311 History and Theory of Hispanic Narrative

B. One course must be in the interpretation and performance, theory, analysis, or history of art, dance, film, music, or theater. Its aim is to develop the ability to understand human expression and its significance in a medium that relies all or in part on non-verbal expression.

AMST 321 American Routes: Traditions and Transformations in American Musical Cultures

ARTHIST 101 Art and Architecture from Prehistory to the Renaissance

ARTHIST 102 Art and Architecture from the Renaissance to the Present

ARTHIST 103 Understanding Architecture

CL 101 Introduction to Classical Literature

CL 214 Classical Drama

DANC 229 Introduction to Dance

DANC 240 Dance Literacy

ENG 215/THEA 215 History of Drama and Theater I

ENG 216/THEA 216 History of Drama and Theater II

FILM 270 Introduction to Film

FILM 371 History of Film to 1938

FILM 372 History of Film Since 1938

FILM 381 Introduction to Film Theory

GER 340 German Film

IDS 216 Visual Culture

MUS 101 Introduction to Music

MUS 115/AAS 115 Jazz – Its Evolution and Essence

MUS 201 Survey of Western Music to 1750

RUSS 373 Russian Avant-garde

SPAN 312 Theories of Hispanic Theatre and Film

THEA 101 Introduction to the Theater

THEA 230 Principles of Design

THEA 315 Studies in Period Drama

THEA 316 Studies in Genre

V. Historical, Cultural, and International Perspectives

A. United States History

One course from the list below on the history of politics, society, or culture in the United States providing a perspective on American diversity.

This course exemplifies the use of historical methods, offers perspectives on the history of the United States, and relates the United States to the rest of the world.

AMST 112 American Identities

ECON 356/HIST 356 Development of Modern US Economy

EDS 305 History of American Education

HIST 231 The Foundations of American Society

HIST 232 The Making of Modern America

HIST 242/JS 242 American Jewish History

HIST 336/WS 336 Multi-Cultural History of Women in the U.S.

HIST 338/AAS 338 History of African Americans to 1877

LING 101 History of the American Languages

REL 209 History of Religions in the US

SOC 247 Race and Ethnic Relations

B. Historical Perspectives on Western Culture

One course from the list below covering a significant historical span of Western history and culture other than the United States.

This course examines in broad perspective historical forces, cultural traditions, and human values of Europe.

ARTHIST 259 Historical Perspective on European Art

CL 103 Greek Archaeology

CLST 201 Creating Classical Culture

CLST 203 The Classical Tradition

CPLT 201 Major Texts: Ancient to Medieval

CPLT 202 Major Texts: Renaissance to Modern

ENG 255 British Literature Before 1660

FILM 395 National Cinemas: Latin American Cinema

FREN 312 Histoire de France

FREN 313 La France Contemporaine

GER 370a or 370b The Austrian Experience (Summer)

HIST 201 The Formation of European Society

HIST 202 The Making of Modern Europe

HIST 203 The West in World Context

ITAL 170 Introduction to Italian Studies I

ITAL 171 Introduction to Italian Studies II

ITAL 270R Italy: Culture and Civilization

JS 100 Survey of Jewish History

MUS 202 Survey of Western Music II: 1750 to Present

PHIL 250 History of Western Philosophy I

PHIL 251 History of Western Philosophy II

POLS 302 Modern Political Theory

PORT 300 Luso-Brazilian Worlds: Texts and Contexts

PORT 301 Early Lusophone Literature and Culture

PORT 302 Modern Lusophone Literature and Culture

REL 211 Western Religions

SPAN 300 Reading in Spanish: Text and Context

SPAN 301 Early Spanish and Spanish-American Literature and Culture

SPAN 302 Modern Spanish and Spanish-American Culture

C. Nonwestern Cultures or Comparative and International Studies

One course chosen from either of the following two categories.

1. One course from the list below covering a nonwestern culture or culture area. These courses seek to give students a broad perspective on historical forces, cultural traditions, and human values in the nonwestern world.

OR

2. One course from the list below designed to introduce students to cross-national comparative studies or studies of international institutions and processes. These courses seek to enable students to frame and investigate questions pertaining to comparative studies of society (including social, cultural, economic, and other processes and institutions) or, alternatively, to explore questions pertaining to global processes and institutions affecting societies in the social, cultural, economic or political realms.

AFS 282/ARTHIST 282 Arts of Eastern and Southern Africa

ARTHIST 289 Perspectives on Non-Western Art

AFS 334/POLS 334 Contemporary African Politics

ANT 150 Cultures of the World

ASIA 200 Introduction to the Civilizations of India

CHN 273/ASIA 273 The Heritage of China

CHN 271/ASIA 271 Modern China in Film and Fiction

CHN 359/ASIA 359/WS 359 Women and Religion in China

CHN 360/ASIA 360 Modern Chinese Women in Film and Fiction

CL 104 Ancient Cities and Urban Culture

CLST 101 Ancient Mediterranean Societies

ECON 231 Introduction to Global Trade and Finance

ECON 362 Economic Development

EDS 312 Comparative Education

ENG 214 Global Literature in English

ENVS/HNE 334 Global Environment

FREN 170 Cultural Crossroads: France and the US

HIST 211 The Making of Modern Latin America

HIST 221/AFS 221 The Making of Modern Africa

IDS 113 The Politics of Identity

IDS 263/AFS 263 Studies in the African Tradition

JPN 270 Introduction to Japanese Culture

JPN 361/ASIA 361/WS 361 The Tale of Genji: Sensuality and Salvation

LAS 101 Introduction to Latin America

LING 326 History of Judaic Languages

MES 100 Introduction to the Middle East

MES 250 Archaeology and the Bible

MUS 204 Music Cultures of the World

MUS 206 Musical Interactions: India and China

POLS 110 International Politics (also in III.)

POLS 120 Comparative Politics (also in III.)

REL 100 Introduction to Religion

REL 150/MES 160 Introduction to Sacred Texts (also in IV. A.)

REL 212/ASIA 212 Asian Religious Traditions

RUSS 270 Russian Culture

SOC 266 Global Change

D. Language

Each student must pursue study of a language other than the student's native language by completing the equivalent of one year of college-level language study in a single foreign language beyond the student's level of preparation upon entering college. This requirement may be satisfied by 1) taking two courses at Emory, 2) receiving transfer credit from another accredited institution in accordance with the rules for transfer credit, or 3) receiving a score of 4 or 5 on a foreign language or literature Advanced Placement Test and then taking the appropriate sequential course at Emory as determined in consultation with the appropriate language department. Students are expected to develop a familiarity with a second language in order to enhance their understanding of other peoples and cultures.

VI. Health and Physical Education

Four one-credit courses distributed as outlined below. Any but PE 101 may be taken SU.

These courses promote a knowledge and experience of physical and emotional health, bodily movement, individual and team sports, and various recreational activities as integral to the education of the whole person.

A. PE 101: Health Education

All students are required to take PE 101: Health Education, normally in their freshman year. The health education requirement may be satisfied by advanced placement or by examination during orientation upon first enrolling. Students who exempt PE 101 still must pass four hours of physical education.

B. Principles of Physical Fitness

All students must take one course in Principles of Physical Fitness from the courses listed below:

DANC 226 Movement Fundamentals

PE 110 PPF/Aerobic Conditioning

PE 112 PPF/Swimming

PE 114 PPF/Jogging

PE 122 PPF/Aerobics

PE 124 PPF/Step Aerobics

PE 132 PPF/Free Weights Training

PE 134 PPF/Weight/Resistance Training

C. Two elective courses

Two elective courses from a wide range of lifetime sports, physical activities, and dance, including up to two credits of a varsity sport.

Physical education courses may not be repeated for credit unless they are designated "R".

General Stipulations

A score of 4 or 5 on an Advanced Placement Examination can be used to satisfy the General Education Requirements.

Students may use an approved General Education course to satisfy two appropriate requirements in Areas II through V, with the restrictions that no student may exercise this option more than twice and that no course may satisfy more than two requirements.

In satisfying the General Education Requirements, students must distribute their work as follows:

1. At least two courses in the humanities (from two different departments) in addition to the first-year writing requirement and the language requirement;

2. At least two courses in the social sciences (from two different departments);

3. At least two courses in the natural sciences beyond the quantitative methods requirement.

All courses used to satisfy the General Education Requirements must be taken for a letter-grade, except for physical education courses other than PE 101: Health Education.