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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 entering class in Fall 2005 and thereafter)

Revised April 4, 2008.

The general education component of an Emory undergraduate education is organized to present an array of intellectual approaches and perspectives as ways of learning rather than a prescribed body of content. Its purposes are to develop students' competencies in the skills and methods of writing, quantitative methods, a second language, and physical education; to acquaint students with methodologies that characterize the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences as the three broad divisions of learning in the arts and sciences; to deepen students' perspectives on national, regional, and global history and culture, and to give every student some exposure to an interactive seminar experience. These purposes are met by a student's choosing 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. Students must complete one of these three 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 153 Introduction to Computing for Bioinformatics
CS 155 Computer Science With Business Applications
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. One course must be an Educational Policy Committee approved course in Life Sciences. The second course must be an Educational Policy Committee approved course in Physical Sciences. One of these two courses must have a laboratory, and the two courses must be completed in different departments or programs.

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

1. Life Sciences

ANT 140 Evolutionary Anthropology
ANT 201L Concepts and Methods in Biological Anthropology
ANT 210 Human Biology – A Life-Cycle Approach
BIOL 120L Concepts in Biology with Laboratory
BIOL 141L or 151L Foundations of Modern Biology I, with Laboratory
BIOL 142L or 152L Foundations of Modern Biology II, with Laboratory
CHEM 105 How Things Work
CHEM 140 Order & Disorder
ENVS/HNE 120 Human and Natural Ecology
ENVS 131 Introduction to Environmental Studies with Lab
ENVS 132L Integrative Methods in Environmental Studies with Lab
NBB 201/ANT 200 Foundations of Behavior
PSYC 103 Brain and Behavior
PSYC 110 Introduction to Psychology I

2. Physical Sciences

CHEM 105 How Things Work
CHEM 120L Selected Topics in Chemistry, with Laboratory
CHEM 140 Order & Disorder
CHEM 141L General Chemistry I, with Laboratory
CHEM 142L General Chemistry II, with Laboratory
ENVS 130L/ GEO 130L Global Earth Systems with Laboratory
ENVS 135/GEO 135 Environmental Geology
ENVS 141L/GEO 141L Introduction to Geology with Laboratory
ENVS 142 Evolution of the Earth with Laboratory
GEO 141L Introduction to Geology with Laboratory
PHYS 115 Introduction to Astronomy
PHYS 116L Introductory Astronomy, with Laboratory
PHYS 121 How Things Work
PHYS 141L or 151L Introductory Physics I (141); General Physics (151)
PHYS 142L or 152L Introductory Physics II (142); General Physics: (152)
PHYS 190G Einstein’s Space-Time
PHYS 190H Envisioning Light

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
ANTH 203/LING 201 Foundations of Linguistics
ANTH 322/IDS 315/WS 322 Introduction to Gay and Lesbian Studies
ECON 101 Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 112 Principles of Macroeconomics
EDS 302 Child and Adolescent Development and Education
EDS 303 The Psychology of Learning
EDS 308 Education and Culture
EDS 314 Education and Cultural Diversity
IDS 315/ANTH 322/WS 322 Introduction to Gay and Lesbian Studies
LING 201/ANTH 203 Foundations of Linguistics
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
WS 322/ANTH 322/IDS 315 Introduction to Gay and Lesbian 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
ANCMED 202 Literature and Thought in Antiquity
ASIA 210 Classic Asian Religious Texts
CHN 373/REL 374 Confucian Classics
CHN 272 Premodern Chinese Literature
CL 101 Introduction to Classical Literature
CL 102 Classical Mythology
CPLT 301 Methods of Literary Interpretation
CPLT 302 Literary Theory
CPLT 333 Literature and Other Disciplines
EAS 250S Introduction to East Asian Studies
EDS 306 Philosophy of Education
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 360WR Modern Japanese Women Writers
JPN 372 Introduction to Modern Japanese Literature in Translation
JS 205/REL 205 Biblical Literature
MESAS 125/JS 125 Introduction to Jewish Literature
PHIL 100 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 110 Introduction to Logic
PHIL 115 Introduction to Ethics
PHIL 230 Philosophies of Human Nature
POLS 304 Major Texts in Political Theory
REL 150/MESAS 160 Introduction to Sacred Texts (also in V.C.)
REL 205/ JS 205 Biblical Literature
REL 210/RJS 210 Classic Religious Texts
REL 350 Jesus and the Gospels
REL 351 Paul and His Letters
REL 374/CHN 373 Confucian Classics
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
ARTHIST 244 Art in Renaissance
ARTHIST 373/ RUSS 373 Russian Avant-garde
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 I: to 1750
MUS 202 Survey of Western Music II: 1750 to Present
PHIL 240 Philosophy of Art
RUSS 373/ARTHIST 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.

AAS 247/SOC 247 Race and Ethnic Relations
AAS 339/HIST 339 History of African Americans since 1865
AMST 201SWR Introduction to American Studies
AMST 212 American Identities
ECON 356/HIST 356 Development of Modern US Economy
EDS 305 History of American Education
FILM 356 Critical History of American Television
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
HIST 339/AAS 339 History of African Americans since 1865
HIST 348 The Ethnic Experience in America
LING 101 History of the American Languages
REL 209 History of Religions in the US
SOC 247/AAS 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.

ANCMED 201 Creating Classical Culture
ANCMED 203 The Classical Tradition
ARTHIST 221/CL 221 Art and Architecture of Ancient Greece
ARTHIST 222/CL 222 Art and Architecture of Ancient Rome
ARTHIST 259 Historical Perspective on European Art
CL 103 Greek Archaeology
CL 201 The Greeks
CL 202 The Romans
CL 215 Greek and Roman Religion
CPLT 201 Major Texts: Ancient to Medieval
CPLT 202 Major Texts: Renaissance to Modern
ENG 255 British Literature Before 1660
FILM 395 National Cinemas
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/HIST 270 Survey of Jewish History
MUS 201 Survey Of Western Music I: to 1750
MUS 202 Survey of Western Music II: 1750 to Present
PHIL 250 History of Western Philosophy I
PHIL 251 History of Western Philosophy II
PHIL 300 Medieval Philosophy
PHIL 302 Nineteenth Century Philosophy
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
REL 313 Modern Catholicism
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
ANCMED 101 Ancient Mediterranean Studies
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 360/ASIA 360 Modern Chinese Women in Film and Fiction
CHN 359/ASIA 359/WS 359 Women and Religion in China
CHN 376 Science in China
CL 104 Ancient Cities and Urban Culture
EAS 450S Seminar in East Asian Studies
ECON 231 Introduction to Global Trade and Finance
ECON 362 Economic Development
EDS 312 Comparative Education
ENG 214 Global Literature in English
FILM 396 Non-Western National Cinemas
FREN 170 Cultural Crossroads: France and the US
GER 230/JS 230 Yiddish Culture
GHCS 102 Introduction to Global Health
GHCS 300S Core Issues in Global Health
HIST 211 The Making of Modern Latin America
HIST 221/AFS 221 The Making of Modern Africa
IDS 213 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
JS 230/GER 230 Yiddish Culture
LAS 101 Introduction of Latin America
LING 326 History of Judaic Languages
MESAS 100 Introduction of the Middle East
MESAS 250 Archaeology and the Bible
MUS 204 Music Cultures of the World
MUS 206 Musical Interactions: India and China
PHIL 307 Asian Philosophy
POLS 110 International Politics 
POLS 120 Comparative Politics 
REES 200 Introduction to Russian Area Studies
REL 100 Introduction to Religion
REL 150/MESAS 160 Introduction to Sacred Texts (also in IV.A.)
REL 212/ASIA 212 Asian Religious Traditions
REL 301 Early and Medieval Hinduism
REL 303 Modern Hinduism
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.

Students who possess only spoken proficiency in their native language but do not have college-level literacy skills should consult with the language department or program to determine to possibility of satisfying the GER Language Requirement with courses in that language.

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: Personal Health

The aim of Personal Health (PE 101) is to enhance college students’ knowledge and attitudes about the multidimensional aspects of personal health, including medical literacy; mental health, stress reduction and suicide prevention; alcohol and drug misuse, abuse and addictions; eating disorders; sexuality, relationships and inter-personal communication; sexual assault; sexually transmitted infections including HIV and AIDS; contraception; environmental sustainability; and coping with loss, dying and death.

All students are required to take PE 101: Personal Health, 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 225 Fitness for Dance
DANC 226 Movement Fundamentals
PE 110 PPF/Aerobic Conditioning
PE 112 PPF/Swimming
PE 114 PPF/Jogging
PE 116 Indoor Cycling
PE 122 PPF/Aerobics
PE 124 PPF/Step Aerobics
PE 126 Cardio Tennis
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: Personal Health.