General Education Requirements

For The B.A. And Five-Year B.A./B.Mus. Degree Programs Effective Fall 2001

Note: no currently enrolled students will be compelled to complete the new GERs. Only new students enrolling as of September 2001 will be automatically subject to the new requirements. Continuing students will, however, have the option of electing to complete the new rather than the existing requirements.

Students are expected to complete general education requirements within three broad categories:

Distribution, in order to gain exposure to a range of disciplines, subjects, and perspectives within the liberal arts:
1. Two course credits (12 units) selected from departments and courses listed within the Division of Humanities. All courses in the humanities taught in English will count towards this requirement. Humanities courses taught in a foreign language and numbered 20/300 and above also will count towards this requirement, except as noted in the course catalog.
2. One course credit (6 units) selected from departments and courses listed within the Division of Fine Arts;
3. Two course credits (12 units) selected from departments and courses listed within the Division of Social Sciences;
4. Two course credits (12 units) selected from departments and courses listed within the Division of Natural Sciences, at least one of which must be in a laboratory course in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, or Physics.
Diversity, in order to prepare students for a more global world and a more diverse America:
1. One course credit (6 units) selected from courses designated as either emphasizing global and comparative perspectives on the world or focusing on areas outside Europe and the United States;
2. One course credit (6 units) selected from courses designated as focusing on dimensions of diversity, such as race, ethnicity, and gender, that are of particular importance in understanding contemporary society in the United States.
Competency, in order to improve and reinforce those fundamental abilities central to a liberal arts education:
1. One course credit (6 units) selected from courses designated as writing intensive;
2. One course credit (6 units) selected from courses designated as speaking intensive;
3. One course credit (6 units) selected from courses designated as emphasizing mathematical reasoning or quantitative analysis;
4. One course credit (6 units) in a foreign language taken from courses numbered 11/200 or above and taught primarily in a language other than English. This requirement may also be satisfied by attaining a score of 4 or 5 on an Advanced Placement examination in a foreign language or by passing a proficiency examination administered by a Lawrence University foreign language department.

Stipulations:

A single course may not be used to satisfy more than one requirement within categories I (Distribution) and II (Diversity). A single course may be used to satisfy a requirement within category III (Competency) and a requirement within category I or II. No course will be designated as fulfilling more than one category III (Competency) requirement.