General Education

Underlying all the University’s programs is the conviction that an educated person is one who knows that which is important for all people to know. Courses required for your major may prepare you for your vocation; the General Education program provides you the integrative intellectual experience common to all Chico graduates.

General Education (GE) will help you to see your major’s place in your total education by showing you that knowledge is not isolated, that what you know of one subject is related to what you know of another, that there is always more to know, and that what you know affects the way you live. By suggesting the essential unity and wholeness of knowledge, GE counteracts the sense of fragmentation you may feel while studying bits and pieces of issues and information through the various colleges, schools, and departments of the University.

You, like many new students, may be uncertain about your choice of a major or career field. Thus, in addition to the primary goal of broadening your awareness and understanding, an early focus on GE may help you become better acquainted with yourself and discover and deepen your interests and abilities in various academic disciplines and programs. If you are undeclared or uncertain about your major, carefully review programs you are considering, taking note of required GE courses and modifications. The Evaluations or Advising and Orientation Offices can help you plan your GE program in such a way that you take full advantage of GE as a powerful career exploration tool.

Which Requirements Do You Follow?

CSU, Chico revised its General Education Program effective fall semester 1987 and again in fall 1993. You must determine which of these programs you are to follow:

  1. The Current 1993+ General Education Program. If you were admitted and enrolled (matriculated) as a first-time freshman beginning with the fall 1993 semester or thereafter, either at CSU, Chico or at another institution in The California State University or California Community College systems, follow the current GE program described in this section.
  2. Prior General Education Programs. If you (1) established catalog rights in The California State University or the California Community Colleges prior to fall 1993; (2) earned transferable college credit during that time; and (3) have since remained "continuously enrolled," you may elect to follow either the GE program in effect when you established your catalog rights, or the current 1993 or a subsequent GE program. See the section, "Election of Graduation Requirements," in the University Catalog for a definition of "continuous enrollment."

If you meet criterion 2, the Evaluations Office will automatically prepare your Course and Credit Evaluation using the appropriate GE program. You may obtain copies of descriptions of previous GE programs, including lists of courses which apply, from the Advising Office, MLIB 190. If instead you prefer to follow the 1993 GE program, notify the Evaluations Office, 530-898-5957.

All other students with prior college enrollment and who do not meet the criteria listed above will follow the General Education program described here. Enrollment in a summer school program, extension course work (including Open University), non-transferable college course work, or concurrent college courses while in high school do not constitute "matriculation" (formal admission and enrollment).

If you have questions regarding the General Education program you should follow, sign up in the Student Records Office windows in Meriam Library 180 for an appointment to see your evaluator, or call the Evaluations Office at 530-898-5957.

Important Notes to Help You with General Education Planning

  1. No more than 39 semester units of GE credit may be certified by other institutions to apply to GE requirements at Chico. NOTE: If you are a transfer student from a California community college who has completed the entire Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC), you will not be held for additional lower-division GE requirements. However, you must complete CSU, Chico’s Ethnic and Non-Western requirements, if these courses were not taken within your IGETC program, and, if necessary, the American History and Ideals requirements, which cannot be included within the IGETC certification program. All students transferring with IGETC must complete the 9-unit Upper-Division Thematic GE requirement at Chico.
  2. If, by virtue of transferring or readmission after an extended absence, you are required to switch from an earlier GE pattern, we will grant as much GE credit as possible for courses previously taken.
  3. If you transfer to another CSU campus, Chico will certify a maximum of 39 GE units. The remaining 9 units must be completed at the campus awarding your degree.
  4. Many courses which meet either the Ethnic Studies or the Non-Western Studies graduation requirement also meet specific GE Area requirements. These courses are identified both in the following GE program and on the Ethnic and Non-Western Studies course list at the end of this chapter. Other Ethnic and Non-Western courses not currently approved for GE are also listed at the end of this chapter.
  5. Several majors require you to take specific GE courses and/or recommend certain GE courses as elective credit for the major. In a few high-unit majors we have made modifications in the GE requirement in order to reduce the total number of units required to complete the program. It is very important that you review the description of your major in the University Catalog with your advisor. You must determine whether or not specific GE courses are recommended or required or if there are modifications which you should consider for your major. The GE modifications are summarized later in this chapter.
  6. Courses used to meet the History, Constitution, and American Ideals requirement (HIST 130 and POLS 155) do not count toward the 48 units of GE in most cases. There are exceptions: this requirement may count toward GE for students majoring in certain high-unit programs (See "Majors with Important Modifications to GE Requirements"). Exceptions will be noted on your transfer evaluation.
  7. Passing scores on some Advanced Placement and CLEP exams can fulfill GE requirements. See the "Evaluation of Transfer Credit" section in the University Catalog and an evaluator in MLIB 180 or advisor in MLIB 190 for specifics.

General Education Evaluation

When you have completed at least 39 semester units of GE, review your degree audit via the Chico State Connections Portal (http://portal.csuchico.edu). If you have course work taken prior to 1997 you may need to request a written Evaluation/Degree Audit from the Evaluations Office, MLIB 180. Evaluators will review your record and mail you and your advisor a completed Degree Audit evaluation.

General Education Course Notation and Footnotes

Courses which may count toward both a major and General Education are identified by asterisks (*) in the program requirements description of a major in the University Catalog.

General Education courses listed in this section which are also applicable to the Ethnic or Non-Western requirements are footnoted Eth or NW respectively.

General Education Course Requirements Overview

You are to complete 48 units selected from designated General Education categories and courses. If you are enrolled in or are considering one of our high-unit majors, such as engineering, nursing, or liberal studies, carefully review the GE changes outlined in "Majors with Important Modifications to General Education Requirements" found later in this chapter.

Note the following general guidelines:

  1. Courses must be selected according to the following pattern of General Education: 12 units from core requirements (Area A); 27 units from breadth courses (Areas B, C, D, E); and 9 units from Upper-Division Themes.
  2. The 9-unit Upper-Division Theme may not be taken until you have completed 45 semester units and GE core requirements.
  3. A minimum of 9 of the 48 GE units must be taken at CSU, Chico.
  4. Updates on GE offerings are published annually in the Class Schedule. Please refer to the GE section in the current Class Schedule when selecting your GE courses; GE courses are periodically reviewed and may be added to or deleted from the approved list.

General Education Core: 12 Units

Area A: Skills

You must take a minimum of 12 semester units of skills courses, including communication in the English language, both oral and written; critical thinking, considering common fallacies in reasoning; and mathematical concepts and their applications. Select one course from each of groups A1, A2, A3, and A4. A minimum grade of C– is required in each course taken to fulfill Area A requirements.

A1 Oral Communication

1 course selected from:

CMST 131 Speech Comm Fundamentals 3.0 FS *
CMST 131H Speech Communication: Honors 3.0 FA *
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.
CMST 132 Small Group Communication 3.0 FS *

A2 Written Communication

1 course selected from:

ENGL 130 Academic Writing 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: English Placement Test.
ENGL 130H Academic Writing Honors 3.0 FA *
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.

A3 Critical Thinking

1 course selected from:

CMST 255 Argumentation and Debate 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: CMST 131 or CMST 132.
PHIL 102 Logic and Critical Thinking 3.0 FS *
PHIL 102E Logic & Critical Thinking-ESL 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: For Students with English as a Second Language.
PHIL 102H Critical Thinking: Honors 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.

A4 Mathematics

1 course selected from:

MATH 101 Patterns Mathematical Thought 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement.
MATH 101H Patterns of Math Thought–Hnrs 3.0 FA *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement, acceptance into the Honors in General Education Program.
MATH 105 Statistics 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement.
MATH 105H Statistics–Honors 3.0 FA *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement, acceptance into the Honors in General Education Program.
MATH 107 Finite Math for Business 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement.
MATH 109 Survey of Calculus 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement. This course is not intended for majors in mathematics, physics, chemistry, or engineering.
MATH 118 Trigonometry 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement.
MATH 119 Precalculus Mathematics 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement, and either 1/2 year of high school trigonometry or MATH 118.
MATH 120 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; both MATH 118 and MATH 119 (or high school equivalent); a score that meets department guidelines on a department administered calculus readiness exam.

General Education Breadth: 27 Units

Area B: Science

You must take a minimum of 6 semester units, including inquiry into the physical universe and its life forms, with some laboratory activity.

Specific course sequences are required or recommended for certain majors. Consult with your major advisor to determine the appropriate selection and sequence.

Select one course from each of Groups B1 and B2 (both groups require labs).

B1 The Physical Universe

1 course selected from:

CHEM 100 Chemistry and Current Issues 3.0 FS *
CHEM 107 Gen Chem for Applied Sciences 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Intermediate Algebra.
CHEM 111 General Chemistry 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.)
GEOG 101 Physical Geography 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: High school biology, chemistry, or physics is recommended.
GEOS 101 General Geology 3.0 FS *
GEOS 102 Physical Geology 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: High school chemistry or physics is recommended; students with no previous science courses are advised to enroll in GEOS 101. No college credit for those who have passed GEOS 101.
GEOS 105 Introduction to Astronomy 3.0 FS *
GEOS 130 Intro to Environmental Science 3.0 FS *
GEOS 130H Intro to Env Science–Honors 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors in General Education Program.
NSCI 101 Intro to Earth’s Environment 3.0 FS *
NSCI 101H Earth’s Environment–Honors 3.0 FA *
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.
PHYS 100 Concepts in Physics 3.0 FS *
PHYS 202A General Physics 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: High school physics or faculty permission. High school trigonometry and second-year high school algebra or equivalent (MATH 051 and MATH 118 at CSU, Chico).
PHYS 204A Mechanics 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: High school physics or faculty permission. Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of MATH 121 (second semester of calculus) or equivalent.

B2 Life Forms

1 course selected from:

ANSC 101 Introduction to Animal Science 3.0 FS *
ANTH 111 Survey of Physical Anthro 3.0 FS *
BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology 3.0 FS *
BIOL 103 Human Anatomy 4.0 FS *
BIOL 104 Human Physiology 4.0 FS *
PSSC 101 Introduction to Plant Science 3.0 FS *

Area C: Arts and Humanities

You must take a minimum of 9 semester units among the arts, literature, philosophy, and foreign languages.

Select one course from each of the three groups below, but no more than two courses from any one academic department. Note that HNRS 110H may be counted in only one GE Breadth Area (C, D, or E).

C1 The Arts

1 course selected from:

AFAM 296 African American Music 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as MUSC 296.

APCG 110 Computer-Assisted Art I 3.0 FS *
ARTS 100 Art Appreciation 3.0 FS *
ARTS 101 Art History Survey 3.0 FS *
ARTS 102 Art History Survey 3.0 FS *
ARTS 103 Far Eastern Art Survey 3.0 FS * NW
ARTS 104 Surv of Arts Amer/Oceania/Afr 3.0 FS * NW
HNRS 110H Honors Connections 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.
HNRS 175H Creativity/Interpretation-Hnrs 3.0 FA *
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.
KINE 352 Introduction to Dance 3.0 FS *
MUSC 190 Introduction to World of Music 3.0 FS * NW
MUSC 291 American Music 3.0 FS *
MUSC 296 African American Music 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as AFAM 296.

THEA 110 Intro to the Theatre 3.0 FS *
THEA 111 Literature in Performance 3.0 FS *
THEA 112 Acting for Non-Majors 3.0 FS *
THEA 112H Acting for Non-Majors: Honors 3.0 FA *
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.

C2 Languages and Literature

1 course selected from:

AAST 253 Asian American Literature 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as ENGL 253.

AFAM 251 African-American Literature 3.0 FA * Eth

This course is also offered as ENGL 251.

AIST 252 American Indian Literature 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as ENGL 252.

AMST 264 Amer Ethnic/Regional Writers 3.0 FA * Eth

This course is also offered as ENGL 264.

EFLN 170 English as a Foreign Language 3.0 FS *

Note: EFLN 170 is for international students for whom English is a foreign language.

ENGL 203 Shakespeare on Film 3.0 Inq *
ENGL 220 Beginning Creative Writing 4.0 FS *
ENGL 240 Introduction to Literature 3.0 FS *
ENGL 251 African-American Literature 3.0 FA * Eth

This course is also offered as AFAM 251.

ENGL 251H African-American Lit–Honors 3.0 FS * Eth
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors in General Education Program.
ENGL 252 American Indian Literature 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as AIST 252.

ENGL 252H American Indian Lit–Honors 3.0 Inq * Eth
Prerequisites: Acceptance into Honors in General Education.
ENGL 253 Asian American Literature 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as AAST 253.

ENGL 254 Chicano/Latino/a Literature 3.0 FS * Eth
ENGL 258 World Literature 3.0 FS * NW
ENGL 260 Great Books 3.0 FS *
ENGL 264 Amer Ethnic/Regional Writers 3.0 FA * Eth

This course is also offered as AMST 264.

ENGL 354 Classical Literature 3.0 FS *
ENGL 371 Principles of Language 3.0 FS *
FREN 101 First-Semester French 4.0 FS *
FREN 102 Second-Semester French 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: FREN 101 or equivalent.
FREN 201 Third-Semester French 4.0 FA *
Prerequisites: FREN 102 or equivalent.
FREN 202 Fourth-Semester French 4.0 SP *
Prerequisites: FREN 201 or equivalent.
GERM 101 First-Semester German 4.0 FS *
GERM 102 Second-Semester German 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: GERM 101 or equivalent.
GERM 201 Third-Semester German 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: GERM 102 or equivalent.
GERM 202 Fourth-Semester German 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: GERM 201 or equivalent.
HBRW 101 First-Semester Hebrew 3.0 FS *
HBRW 102 Second-Semester Hebrew 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: HBRW 101.
HNRS 110H Honors Connections 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.
ITAL 101 First-Semester Italian 4.0 FS *
ITAL 102 Second-Semester Italian 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: ITAL 101 or equivalent.
ITAL 201 Third-Semester Italian 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: ITAL 102 or equivalent.
ITAL 202 Fourth-Semester Italian 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: ITAL 201 or equivalent.
JAPN 101 First-Semester Japanese 4.0 FS *
JAPN 102 Second-Semester Japanese 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: JAPN 101 or faculty permission.
JAPN 201 Third-Semester Japanese 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: JAPN 102 or faculty permission.
JAPN 202 Fourth-Semester Japanese 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: JAPN 201 or faculty permission.
LATN 101 First-Semester Latin 4.0 FS *
SPAN 101 First-Semester Spanish 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: SPAN 101 is not available for credit to students with two or more years of Spanish within the last three years.
SPAN 102 Second-Semester Spanish 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: SPAN 101 or equivalent.
SPAN 201 Third-Semester Spanish 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: SPAN 102 or equivalent.
SPAN 202 Fourth-Semester Spanish 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: SPAN 201 or equivalent.
SPAN 202N Spanish for Spanish Speakers 4.0 SP *
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

C3 Philosophy, Religion, and Humanities Studies

1 course selected from:

ANTH 222 Archeology and the Bible 3.0 FS *
HIST 112 Intro to Classic Civilization 3.0 FS *
HIST 261 Islam 3.0 FS * NW

This course is also offered as MEST 261, and RELS 202.

HNRS 110H Honors Connections 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.
ITAL 360 Ital Renaissance Influence Civ 3.0 SP *
MEST 261 Islam 3.0 FS * NW

This course is also offered as HIST 261, and RELS 202.

MJIS 204 Judaism 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as RELS 204.

PHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy 3.0 FS *
PHIL 101H Introduction Philosophy: Hnrs 3.0 SP *
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.
PHIL 104 Personal Values 3.0 FS *
PHIL 107 Human Existence 3.0 FS *
PHIL 201 History of Ancient Philosophy 3.0 FS *
PHIL 202 Philosophy: East and West 3.0 FS * NW
PHIL 203 Existentialism 3.0 FA *
PHIL 204 Reason and Religion 3.0 FS *
PHIL 383 Philosophy and Film 3.0 FS *
RELS 100 Judaism, Christianity, Islam 3.0 FS *
RELS 107 Bible Controversies 3.0 FS *
RELS 110 Asian Religions 3.0 FS * NW
RELS 180 Introduction to Religion 3.0 FS *
RELS 202 Islam 3.0 FS * NW

This course is also offered as HIST 261, and MEST 261.

RELS 204 Judaism 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as MJIS 204.

RELS 207 Christianity 3.0 FS *
RELS 212 Hinduism 3.0 FA * NW
RELS 213 Buddhism 3.0 FS * NW

Area D: Behavioral and Social Sciences

You must take a minimum of 9 semester units dealing with human social, political, economic, and cultural institutions.

Select one course from each of the three groups below, but no more than two courses from any one academic department. Note that HNRS 110H may be counted in only one GE Breadth Area (C, D, or E).

D1 Individual and Society

1 course selected from:

ABUS 101 Intro to Ag Business/Economics 3.0 FS *
AIST 230 The American Indian 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as HIST 230.

ANTH 113 Human Cultural Diversity 3.0 FS * NW
ANTH 113H Hnrs in Human Cult Diversity 3.0 FS * NW
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.
ECON 103 Principles of Micro Analysis 3.0 FS *
HIST 230 The American Indian 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as AIST 230.

HNRS 110H Honors Connections 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.
MCGS 341 Cross-Cultural Psychology 3.0 FS * NW

This course is also offered as PSYC 341.

MJIS 253 The Holocaust 3.0 SP *

This course is also offered as SOCI 253.

PSYC 151 Socio-Cultural Psy Development 3.0 FS *
PSYC 341 Cross-Cultural Psychology 3.0 FS * NW

This course is also offered as MCGS 341.

PSYC 351 Socio-Cultural Psy Development 3.0 FS *
SOCI 100 Principles of Sociology 3.0 FS *
SOCI 230 Women in Contemp Societies 3.0 FS *

This course is also offered as WMST 230.

SOCI 253 The Holocaust 3.0 SP *

This course is also offered as MJIS 253.

SOCI 380 Sociology of Deviant Behavior 3.0 FS *
SWRK 170 Social Welfare Institutions 3.0 FS *
WMST 170 Intro to Women’s Studies 3.0 FS *
WMST 230 Women in Contemp Societies 3.0 FS *

This course is also offered as SOCI 230.

D2 Political and Economic Institutions

1 course selected from:

AAST 152 Intro Asian American Exper 3.0 Inq * Eth

This course is also offered as SOCI 152.

AFAM 206 Comparative Slavery 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as HIST 206.

ANTH 116 Power and Scarcity 3.0 FS * NW
BLAW 190 Understanding the Law 3.0 SP *
CHST 135 Mexican Heritage in U.S. 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as HIST 135.

CHST 234 Mexican Heritage to 1848 3.0 FA * Eth

This course is also offered as HIST 234.

ECON 101 Introduction to Economics 3.0 FS *
ECON 102 Principles of Macro Analysis 3.0 FS *
ECON 102H Prin of Macro Analysis Honors 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Admission to the Honors Program.
GEOG 106 The American West 3.0 FS *
HIST 103 The Modern World 3.0 FS *
HIST 135 Mexican Heritage in U.S. 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as CHST 135.

HIST 206 Comparative Slavery 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as AFAM 206.

HIST 234 Mexican Heritage to 1848 3.0 FA * Eth

This course is also offered as CHST 234.

HIST 381 Modern Latin America 3.0 SP * NW
HNRS 110H Honors Connections 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.
POLS 101 Vital Political Problems 3.0 FS *
POLS 102 Politics of Third Wrld Nations 3.0 FS * NW
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in POLS 391E is highly recommended.
POLS 112 Law/Politics/Justice 3.0 FS *
POLS 301 Vital Political Problems 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing.
POLS 302 Politics of Third Wrld Nations 3.0 FS * NW
SOCI 152 Intro Asian American Exper 3.0 Inq * Eth

This course is also offered as AAST 152.

D3 Cultural and Social Institutions

1 course selected from:

AFAM 100 Intro to African Studies 3.0 FS * NW

This course is also offered as AFRI 100.

AFAM 170 Intro African American Studies 3.0 FS * Eth
AFAM 231 African American History 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as HIST 231.

AFRI 100 Intro to African Studies 3.0 FS * NW

This course is also offered as AFAM 100.

AIST 170 Intro to Amer Indian Studies 3.0 FS * Eth
AIST 261 North American Indians 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as ANTH 261.

AMST 150 Intro to American Studies 3.0 FS *
ANTH 112 Society, Time, and Archaeology 3.0 FS * NW
ANTH 140 Magic/Witchcraft/Religion 3.0 FS * NW
ANTH 200 Cultures of Asia 3.0 FS * NW

This course is also offered as ASST 200.

ANTH 261 North American Indians 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as AIST 261.

ASST 200 Cultures of Asia 3.0 FS * NW

This course is also offered as ANTH 200.

CHST 157 Intro to Chicano Studies 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as SOCI 157.

GEOG 102 Human Geography 3.0 FS * NW
GEOG 102H Human Geography–Honors 3.0 SP * NW
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.
GEOG 105 California Cultural Landscapes 3.0 FS * Eth
HIST 105 Global Environmental History 3.0 FS *
HIST 106 Global Environmental History 3.0 FS *
HIST 110 European Civilization 3.0 FS *
HIST 231 African American History 3.0 FS * Eth

This course is also offered as AFAM 231.

HIST 370 African History Before 1800 3.0 FA * NW
HIST 371 African History After 1800 3.0 SP * NW
HIST 373 East Asia Before 1800 3.0 FA * NW
HIST 37