General College

School of Education and General Studies

Mission Statement

The mission of the School of General Studies is to provide an environment in which diverse learners can achieve academically, socially and spiritually to become 21^st century leaders.  The goal of the college is to (1) engage students, faculty and staff in teaching, learning and scholarship through interdisciplinary collaborations, (2) link curricular and co-curricular programs to the University Core Competencies of the general education program, and (3) increase global learning in academic and social experiences.

The School of General Studies comprises the following programs and services:

              General Education Department

              Honors College (See Special Programs)

International Programs

 

GENERAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

The General Education Department supports the University’s General Education Program goals by providing courses in world languages, history, and philosophy. The goal of the courses is to introduce students to the following competencies:

1. Think critically and demonstrate a high level of proficiency in written and oral expression;
2. Possess an appreciation of cultural and spiritual values, creative expression and the history and experience of human society through courses in the humanities, fine arts, and languages; and
3. Reflect upon ethical and spiritual questions related to their intellectual interests, social responsibilities, and personal growth.

 

HISTORY 

Studying the past can help improve the future of global society.  History cultivates an individual’s awareness of how long-term historical causes shape the present as well as providing the ability to recognize and critique myths of the past to which we are exposed. It enhances the understanding of identity and the comprehensive range of human possibilities in our diverse global society. Most importantly, history helps to stimulate an appreciation and tolerance for cultural differences.  History courses emphasize essential skills of analysis and reasoning, written and oral communication critical for professional success.

Goals

The goals of the history minor are to:

1. Demonstrate the centrality of the history curriculum to the general education mission of the College;
2. Integrate the general education skills of writing effectively, reading intelligently and processing information through synthesis and analysis throughout the introductory courses of the History component; and
3. Develop students’ intellectual interest in history as a discipline and encourage student participation in the life of the department.

 

General Education Student Learning Outcomes

1. Identify multiple social identities and factors (including major political, social, and cultural movements that influenced the course of African American history from the era of ancient African civilizations until the U.S. Civil War) that recognize and accurately represent contrasting points of view and contribute to developing self-awareness.
2. Describe the similarities, differences, and linkage in the dynamics of ethnic, cultural, gender/sexual, age-based, class, regional, national, and global identities and their interaction between them - through a range of activities
3. Demonstrate an understanding of one’s own identity and values through making decisions based on religious, ethical, and/or moral convictions.
4. Analyze and evaluate a personal event, choice, or circumstance in which one’s ethnicity factored prominently; and evaluate how the same might be interpreted differently from another ethnicity’s perspective.

 

History Minor

Minors in History must: (1) receive a grade of “C” or better in the following courses; (2) declare History as a minor; and, (3) receive written approval of their program of study in the minor from the department chair and dean of their major area of study. 

Courses                                                                        Hours

HIST 231     American History I                                         3
HIST 232     American History II                                        3
HIST 224     African American History I                             3
HIST 225     African American History II                            3
HIST 440     Methods of Historical Research                     3
HIST 450     Senior Research Project in History                3
Total History Minor Requirements                                18

 

WORLD LANGUAGES

World languages provide students with the necessary course content to fulfill the core requirements for the General Education Program and for a minor course of study in Spanish or French. The department focuses on teaching the language and cultures of the countries in which the particular world language is spoken as a means of exposing the students to other cultures and peoples of the world.

World Language Minor

The minor includes the required courses in language skills, literature, business and conversation needed to enhance a career in foreign affairs, international business, communications, law, English, education, political science, or other related professions. A major objective of the foreign language unit is to prepare students to acquire a survival level command of a language other than their own, broaden their outlook on life, and increase their interest and knowledge of other cultures and the relationship of countries to global affairs. Believing in the vital importance of broadening the educational and cultural horizons of our students by exposing them to the benefits of acquaintance with the world beyond the United States of America in these days of globalization and internationalization, the department also assists students applying for study abroad programs.

Program Learning the minor in a world language will:

1. Demonstrate the skills of standard spoken and written aspects of the target language in everyday life and business settings;
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the history, literature, current affairs and cultures of some of the countries that speak the language;
3. Possess the skills necessary to gain employment that requires proficiencies in the language; and
4. Advanced study students will have the opportunity to experience study abroad/internship programs.

 

General Education Student Learning Outcomes

1. Compose simple oral and written in [language name] at the novice level about everyday situations using the target language to list, identify, express greetings and courtesies, questions, agree and disagree, in the present tense within cultural and thematic contexts.
2. Describe and illustrate aspects of the cultures of [language name]-speaking countries covered in the course, comparing and contrasting those cultures with his or her own.
3. Use various forms of technology as a resource in practicing [language name] and learning about the cultures of [language name] speaking countries.

Requirements
The total number of credit hours to satisfy the requirements for a foreign language minor is18 hours. Students who prove by placement testing to be proficient in the language at levels beyond the intermediate levels will then have to complete a minimum of 12 hours of the language minor to achieve the total requirement of 18 hours and may select from the following courses according to their own interest and the advice of a world language faculty member. The elementary language courses (131, 132) are for the removal of deficiencies only. Credit for these courses may not count towards the minor.

Spanish Minor

Course Requirements                                                                                              Hours

FLSP 231 Intermediate Spanish I                                                                                 3
FLSP 232 Intermediate Spanish II                                                                                3
FLSP 235 Spanish Conversation I                                                                                3
FLSP 236 Spanish Conversation II                                                                               3
FLSP 233 Business Communication I or SPAN 331 Survey of Spanish Lit.                 3
FLSP 234 Business Communication II or SPAN 338 Spanish American Lit.                3
Total Spanish Minor Requirements                                                                         18

French Minor

Course Requirements                                                                                            Hours    

FLFR 231 Intermediate French I                                                                                  3
FLFR 232 Intermediate French II                                                                                 3
FLFR 235 French Conversation and Phonetics I                                                         3
FLFR 236 French Conversation and Phonetics II                                                        3
FLFR 233 Business Communication I or FREN 331 Survey of French Lit.                 3
FLFR 234 Business Communication II or FREN 336 Black Writers in French            3
Total French Minor Requirements                                                                          18

Study Abroad
Foreign Languages cooperates with the Director of International Programs to assist students from all majors who wish to study abroad. While participating in a semester Study Abroad Program, a student is advised to take a minimum course load of 12 hours in order to stay on track for timely graduation. It is recommended that this coursework reflect the courses yet to be completed according to the plan of study in the student’s major or minor. This coursework must be approved prior to participating in the program.

PHILOSOPHY 

The Philosophy curricula serve to prepare students for real challenges in a complex, diverse world. The faculty understands that the leaders of tomorrow must be critical thinkers who will be expected to act as concerned, morally responsible citizens. Philosophy is designed to:

1. Develop responsible ethical agents;
2. Train critical thinkers;
3. Expose students to the history of philosophical thought and 
4. Show students how various philosophical views apply to daily life experiences.

 

General Education Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will identify that philosophy is concerned with “arguments” related to philosophical and moral theories.
2. Students recognize the form, substance, and elements of an argument.
3. Students evaluate the criteria for distinguishing adequate from inadequate moral and philosophical theories.
4. Students demonstrate analytical skills in contemporary moral issues through examinations and quizzes and in the final “arguments for analysis” papers.

Office of International Programs (OIP)

The Office of International Programs at Saint Augustine’s University is a vital hub for all activities that appeal to a global audience.We work diligently in a variety of forums to advance the educational mission of the institution while providing meaningful, educational content for our student population.The mission is to promote the University’s mission to prepare students for leadership roles in a complex, diverse, and rapidly changing world. As funding is available OIP will sponsor excursions to local universities to participate in cultural activities as well as integrates programming from the surrounding community into the curriculum where appropriate. 

The goals of OIP are to:

1. Support students’ participation in study/research/service programs abroad;
2. Increase the international student presence on campus;
3. Encourage and support faculty collaborative research in areas of international global significance; and
4. Promote international campus engagement by developing appropriate strategic partnerships and projects for international outreach.

Student Learning Outcomes to be achieved:

1. Incorporate a comparative understanding of world cultures into their general knowledge.
2. Understand the relationship of power and language, and how language interacts with culture
3. Locate, analyze, and synthesize information to provide a solution for a global issue.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the ideas and values expressed in at least one world culture.

 

International Student Recruitment and Retention

The Office of International Programs plays vital role in Helping international students adjust to the academic environment at the university.  In the fall, we host a welcome reception to integrate them into the greater SAU community as well as leverage their assistance in recruiting former classmates to the university.  Finally, we work diligently with the President’s Latino Advisory Committee to facilitate dialog with the Spanish-speaking community.

Study Abroad

Students at Saint Augustine’s University have an array of opportunities to demonstrate their global competence by participating in the various international educational programs provided by the university.  They include study abroad trips and service-learning excursions that allow students to navigate cultural paradigms, practice language skills and gain new perspectives on how citizens in other societies live, work and expound on their values, beliefs and ideals.

School of General Studies Faculty

Kengie Bass, Ed.D., Assistant Professor and Dean of General College

Dino Bryant, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History
Shirkeymu Winston, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History

Bernard Luscans, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Foreign Languages
Lena Wang Anthony, M.A., Instructor

Programs

• •  French Minor
• •  Spanish Minor

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