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2020-2021 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
General Education Requirements
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A university brings together many separate areas of learning, yet it is more than just a collection of specialized disciplines. The SJSU General Education Program incorporates the development of skills, the acquisition of knowledge, and the integration of knowledge through the study of facts, issues, and ideas. Regardless of major, all who earn undergraduate degrees should share common educational experiences, as they become university scholars. In combination with major, minor, and elective courses, the General Education curriculum should help students attain those attributes found in an educated person.
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General Education Requirements
General Education Core
Lower Division Requirements
Students must complete 39 units of Core GE courses.
A. English Language Communication and Critical Thinking
9 units
Complete one course each in Oral Communication, Written Communication IA, and Critical Thinking and Writing.
^ = Eight GE areas, including third Area C, and all of American Institutions completed when the Humanities Honors sequence (HUM 1A /HUM 1B /HUM 2A /HUM 2B ) is completed with grades of “C- or better.”
** = Must complete sequence
1. Oral Communication
Oral Communication courses should cultivate an understanding of the social, psychological, political and practical significance of communication, with special emphasis on the roles of public communication in a free society.
2. Written Communication I
Written communication 1A courses should cultivate an understanding of the writing process and the goals, dynamics, and genres of written communication, with special attention to the nature of writing at the university.
3. Critical Thinking and Writing
Critical thinking courses should help students learn to recognize, analyze, evaluate, and produce reasoning.
B. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning
9 units
Complete at least one 3-unit course in Physical Science, Life Science, and Mathematical Concepts.
At least one lab course (L) must be included.
1. Physical Science
In Science courses, students should master sufficiently essential quantitative and qualitative skills that are necessary to understand scientific knowledge and methods. Students should be able to incorporate scientific knowledge into the workplace and everyday life experiences.
*Intensive Science
Students who have completed the Intensive Science courses with a “C- or better”, will be allowed to use these courses to fulfill the requirement in B1/B3 or B2/B3. Students may petition to have (1) grades below C- (very rarely approved), or (2) other Intensive Science courses not on the list approved as intensive science courses. Additionally, the following packages of courses, all completed with “C- or better”, will satisfy Areas B1, B2, and B3: Two courses from PHYS 50 , PHYS 51 , or PHYS 52 , and CHEM 1A ; or PHYS 2A and PHYS 2B and CHEM 1A ; or CHEM 1A and CHEM 1B , plus a physics course. See details on the Office of Undergraduate Education’s Student Petitions website.
2. Life Science
*Intensive Science
Students who have completed the Intensive Science courses with a “C- or better”, will be allowed to use these courses to fulfill the requirement in B1/B3 or B2/B3. Students may petition to have (1) grades below C- (very rarely approved), or (2) other Intensive Science courses not on the list approved as intensive science courses. Additionally, the following packages of courses, all completed with “C- or better”, will satisfy Areas B1, B2, and B3: Two courses from PHYS 50 , PHYS 51 , or PHYS 52 , and CHEM 1A ; or PHYS 2A and PHYS 2B and CHEM 1A ; or CHEM 1A and CHEM 1B , plus a physics course. See details on the Office of Undergraduate Education’s Student Petitions website.
3. Laboratory
The following courses meet the Lab requirement only.
4. Mathematical Concepts
Mathematical concepts courses enable students to use numerical and graphical data in personal and professional judgments and in coping with public issues.
*Intensive Math
Students who have not completed a course satisfying Area B4, but have completed MATH 30 , MATH 30X , MATH 30P , MATH 30PL , MATH 31 , MATH 32 , MATH 70 , or MATH 71 , with a grade of “C- or better” will be allowed to use one of these courses to fulfill the Area B4 requirement.
C. Arts and Letters
9 units
Effective Fall 2014, Area C3 has been discontinued. Completion of 9 units in Area C is still required.
In Area C, complete no fewer than 9 semester units, with at least one course in the Arts (C1) and one in the Letters (C2).
Arts and Letters courses should give students knowledge and understanding of significant works of the human intellect and imagination. Courses should enable students to participate in social and cultural communities associated with artistic and literary endeavors, enriching their personal and professional lives.
^ = Eight GE areas, including third Area C, and all of American Institutions completed when the Humanities Honors sequence (HUM 1A /HUM 1B /HUM 2A /HUM 2B ) is completed with grades of “C- or better.”
** Must complete sequence
*Intensive Music
Students who have completed the Intensive Music courses, MUSC 4A , MUSC 4B and MUSC 12 , with a “C or better”, will be allowed to use these courses to fulfill the requirements of Area C. Students may petition to have (1) grades below C (very rarely approved), or (2) other Intensive Music courses not on the list approved as intensive music courses. See details on the Office of Undergraduate Education’s Student Petitions website.
D. Social Sciences
9 units
Complete no fewer than 9 units in at least two different subject prefixes (for example, ANTH and POLS). For American Institutions credit, students may complete a course in D2 (US1) and/or D3 (US2, US3). Note: Some courses may require completion of a 2-semester sequence in order to receive American Institutions credit (AAS 33A , AAS 33B ; CCS 10A , CCS 10B )
Social Science courses should increase the student’s understanding of human behavior and social interaction in the context of value systems, economic structures, political institutions, social groups, and natural environments
^ = Eight GE areas, including third Area C, and all of American Institutions completed when the Humanities Honors sequence (HUM 1A /HUM 1B /HUM 2A /HUM 2B ) is completed with grades of “C- or better.”
** = Must complete sequence
1. Human Behavior
Human Behavior courses will enable students to be able to recognize the interaction of social institutions, culture, and environment with the behavior of individuals.
2. Comparative Systems
Courses in this area will enable students to compare and contrast two or more ethnic groups, cultures, regions, nations, or social systems.
3. Social Issues
Social Issues courses will enable students to apply multidisciplinary material to a topic relevant to policy and social action at the local, national, and/or international levels.
E. Human Understanding & Development
3 units
Complete one course.
Human Understanding and Development courses will enable students to understand themselves as integrated physiological, social, and psychological entities who are able to formulate strategies for lifelong personal development. Students will also learn skills to employ available university resources to support academic and personal development.
*For specific department/program majors only
SJSU Studies - Upper Division Requirements
Students complete 9 to 12 units of SJSU studies: 9 units of upper division general education courses (Areas R, S, and V) and 0 to 3 units of 100W (Area Z). In some cases SJSU Studies areas are integrated in a single course or overlap with major courses.
- Complete one SJSU Studies course in each category.
- All SJSU Studies courses must be taken for a letter grade.
- Completing Area Z with a grade of “C or better” (C- not accepted) is a graduation requirement.
- Prior to enrollment, all SJSU Studies courses require completion of core GE, satisfaction of Writing Skills Test and upper division standing. Pre/Co-requisite of a 100W course is strongly recommended for enrollment in Areas R, S, and V. The WST has been temporarily suspended. See Writing Across the Curriculum website for more information.
- Students who fail the WST may satisfy this requirement by passing ENGL 100A or LLD 100A with a grade of “C or better.”
- Students can satisfy Areas R, S, & V by taking COMM 168A /COMM 168B /ENVS 168A /ENVS 168B /GEOL 168A /GEOL 168B /HUM 168A /HUM 168B /METR 168A /METR 168B : Global Climate Change or HUM 177A /HUM 177B : Advanced Honors in Integrated Science, Social Science and Humanities. These are year-long courses sequences: students enroll in 6 units in the Fall and 3 units in the Spring. By successfully completing one of these course sequences with a “C or Better” in each semester, students satisfy all nine units of upper division GE (Areas R, S, & V) within SJSU Studies.
- All first baccalaureate students are required to have a minimum aggregate GPA of 2.0 in their upper division GE courses (Areas R, S, & V). If more than one course is taken in any of the individual R, S, or V areas, then the highest grade in that individual area will be used to calculate the aggregate SJSU Studies GPA. This policy is effective Fall 2011 for all SJSU students who do not have catalog rights prior to Fall 2011.
- If any student takes one or more Area R, S, and V courses in the Spring 2020 semester (regardless of whether the student chooses to receive a grade or opts for Credit/No Credit), the requirement for a minimum aggregate 2.0 GPA in R, S, and V courses will be waived.
- Second baccalaureate students who earned their first bachelor degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. are not required to take SJSU Studies unless specific courses are required by the major. (Effective Fall 2011)
- Transfer students who complete any portion of upper division GE at another CSU campus may request equivalency for coursework in SJSU Studies. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Education for evaluation of coursework.
Areas R, S, and V
9 units
Complete one 3-unit course from each category.
*For specific department/program majors only
** Successful completion of this year-long course sequence (with a “C or Better” in each semester) satisfies Areas R, S, & V.
R. Earth and Environment
Courses in Earth and Environment will cultivate a student’s knowledge of the scientific study of the physical universe and its life forms. Students will understand and appreciate the interrelationship of science and human beings to each other.
S. Self, Society & Equality in the U.S.
In these courses, students will study the interrelationships of individuals, racial groups, and cultural groups to understand and appreciate issues of diversity, equality, and structured inequality in the U.S., its institutions, and its cultures.
- AE 171A - Aircraft Design I 3 units *
- AE 172A - Spacecraft Design I 3 units *
- AAS 175 - Asian American Communities 3 units
- AMS 169 - The American Dream 3 units
- HUM 169 - The American Dream 3 units
- ANTH 140 - Human Sexuality 3 units
- BIOL 140 - Human Sexuality 3 units
- PH 140 - Human Sexuality 3 units
- BME 198A - Senior Design Project I 2 units *
- CA 172 - The Arts in U.S. Society 3 units
- ENGL 172 - The Arts in U.S. Society 3 units
- MUSC 172 - The Arts in U.S. Society 3 units
- TA 172 - The Arts in U.S. Society 3 units
- CCS 130 - Chicanas and Chicanos in American Society 3 units
- CCS 160 - Gender and Sexuality in the Chicana/o Community 3 units
- CHAD 102 - Development of Self in a Culturally Diverse Society 3 units
- COMM 168A - Global Climate Change I 6 units **
- COMM 168B - Global Climate Change II 3 units **
- ENVS 168A - Global Climate Change I 6 units **
- ENVS 168B - Global Climate Change II 3 units **
- GEOL 168A - Global Climate Change I 6 units **
- GEOL 168B - Global Climate Change II 3 units **
- HUM 168A - Global Climate Change I 6 units **
- HUM 168B - Global Climate Change II 3 units **
- METR 168A - Global Climate Change I 6 units **
- METR 168B - Global Climate Change II 3 units **
- COMM 174 - Intercultural Comm & Struct Inequality 3 units
- CMPE 195A - Senior Design Project I 2 units *
- EDUC 157SL - Community Action/Community Service 3 units
- COMM 157SL - Community Action/Community Service 3 units
- ENGR 157SL - Community Action/Community Service 3 units
- HA 157SL - Community Action/Community Service 3 units
- SCI 157SL - Community Action/Community Service 3 units
- EDSE 102 - Speech, Language & Typical, Atypical Dev 3 units
- EE 198A - Senior Design Project I 1 units *
- ENGL 117A - American Literature, Film, & Culture 3 units
- ENGL 169 - Ethnicity in American Literature 3 units
- ENGR 195A - Global and Social Issues in Engineering 1 units *
- ENGR 195C - Interdisciplinary Senior Project I 3 units *
- ENVS 150 - Introduction to Environmental Thought 3 units
- SOCS 138 - US History for Teachers 3 units
- GERO 107 - Aging and Society 3 units
- PH 107 - Aging and Society 3 units
- SCWK 107 - Aging and Society 3 units
- HIST 170S - Topics in American History: American Identities and Institutions 3 units (US 1)
- HIST 185 - LGBTQ+ History in the United States 3 units
- HIST 188 - History of Women in the United States 3 units
- PH 135 - Health Issues in a Multicultural Society 3 units
- NUFS 135 - Health Issues in a Multicultural Society 3 units
- NURS 135 - Health Issues in a Multicultural Society 3 units
- HUM 177A - Advanced Honors in Integrated Science, Social Science, and Humanities 6 units **
- HUM 177B - Advanced Honors in Integrated Science, Social Science, and Humanities 3 units **
- JS 132 - Race, Gender, Inequality and the Law 3 units
- JS 136 - Family and Community Violence 3 units
- KIN 101 - Sport in America 3 units
- PH 169 - Diversity, Stress and Health 3 units
- KIN 169 - Diversity, Stress and Health 3 units
- LING 129 - Culture, Language and Ethnicity in the U.S. 3 units
- LSTP 139 - Education and (In)Equality 3 units
- MATE 198A - Senior Design Project 2 units *
- ME 195A - Senior Design Project I 3 units *
- MUSC 120 - Worlds of Jazz 3 units
- NURS 138 - Professional Role Development VI 3 units
- NURS 178 - Leadership III 3 units
- NURS 178A - Leadership 3 units
- PHIL 186 - Professional and Business Ethics 3 units
- BUS3 186 - Professional and Business Ethics 3 units
- POLS 120 - Law and Society 3 units
- PSYC 191 - The Psychology of Prejudice 3 units
- RECL 111 - Leisure, Culture, and Identity 3 units
- RELS 162 - Religion and Political Controversy in the US 3 units
- RELS 191 - Religion in America 3 units
- HUM 191 - Religion in America 3 units
- RTVF 110 - Media and Culture 3 units
- SOCI 162 - Race and Ethnic Relations 3 units
- URBP 101 - The City 3 units
- WOMS 101 - Sex, Power, and Politics 3 units
V. Culture, Civilization & Global Understanding
In these courses, students should receive an appreciation for human expression in cultures outside the U.S. and an understanding of how that expression has developed over time. Additionally, students should understand how traditions of cultures outside the U.S. have influenced American culture and society.
- AE 171B - Aircraft Design II 3 units *
- AE 172B - Spacecraft Design II 3 units *
- AMS 159 - Nature and World Cultures 3 units
- ENVS 159 - Nature and World Cultures 3 units
- HUM 159 - Nature and World Cultures 3 units
- ANTH 115 - The Emerging Global Culture 3 units
- ASIA 115 - The Emerging Global Culture 3 units
- ANTH 146 - Culture and Conflict 3 units
- ARTH 193A - Worlds of Art and Culture 3 units
- ARTH 193B - East Meets West in Art 3 units
- ASIA 193B - East Meets West in Art 3 units
- AVIA 198 - Aviation and Human Civilization 3 units
- BME 198B - Senior Design Project II 2 units *
- CA 173 - Thinking About Contemporary World Arts 3 units
- ENGL 173 - Thinking About Contemporary World Arts 3 units
- MUSC 173 - Thinking About Contemporary World Arts 3 units
- TA 173 - Thinking About Contemporary World Arts 3 units
- CHAD 106 - Concepts of Childhood 3 units
- CHAD 132 - Education from a Global Perspective 3 units
- CHIN 140 - Chinese Culture and Politics Through Literature 3 units
- ASIA 140 - Chinese Culture and Politics Through Literature 3 units
- COMM 168A - Global Climate Change I 6 units **
- COMM 168B - Global Climate Change II 3 units **
- ENVS 168A - Global Climate Change I 6 units **
- ENVS 168B - Global Climate Change II 3 units **
- GEOL 168A - Global Climate Change I 6 units **
- GEOL 168B - Global Climate Change II 3 units **
- HUM 168A - Global Climate Change I 6 units **
- HUM 168B - Global Climate Change II 3 units **
- METR 168A - Global Climate Change I 6 units **
- METR 168B - Global Climate Change II 3 units **
- COMM 179 - Global Media and Resistance 3 units
- CMPE 195B - Senior Design Project II 3 units *
- DANC 102 - Dance in World Cultures 3 units
- EDSE 124 - Methodologies for Eng Learners w/out Dis 3 units
- EE 198B - Senior Design Project II 3 units *
- ENGL 117B - Global Film, Literature, and Cultures 3 units
- ENGL 123A - Literature for Global Understanding-The Americas 3 units
- ENGL 123B - Literature for Global Understanding-Africa 3 units
- ENGL 123C - Literature for Global Understanding-Oceania 3 units
- ENGL 123D - Literature for Global Understanding-Asia 3 units
- ENGL 126 - Holocaust Literature 3 units
- JWSS 126 - Holocaust Literature 3 units
- HUM 126 - Holocaust Literature 3 units
- FORL 126 - Holocaust Literature 3 units
- ENGR 195B - Global and Social Issues in Engineering 1 units *
- ENGR 195D - Interdisciplinary Senior Project II 3 units *
- FREN 102B - Francophone Cultures: Through Literature and Cinema 3 units
- GEOG 112 - Nations, Cultures, and Territorial Disputes 3 units
- GLST 143 - Gender, Power, Intnl Dev 3 units
- GLST 188 - Special Topics in International Experiences 3 units
- HIST 153 - History of Women in Europe 3 units
- HIST 155 - 20th Century World 3 units
- HUM 114 - Legacy of Asia 3 units
- ANTH 114 - Legacy of Asia 3 units
- ASIA 114 - Legacy of Asia 3 units
- RELS 114 - Legacy of Asia 3 units
- HUM 128 - Perspectives on the Twentieth Century: The West in a Global Context 3 units
- HUM 177A - Advanced Honors in Integrated Science, Social Science, and Humanities 6 units **
- HUM 177B - Advanced Honors in Integrated Science, Social Science, and Humanities 3 units **
- JS 171 - Human Rights and Justice 3 units
- KIN 111 - Sport & Movement in a Global Context 3 units
- KIN 111ITL - Sport & Movement in a Global Context: International Experience 3 units
- LING 122 - English as a World Language 3 units
- ASIA 122 - English as a World Language 3 units
- MATE 198B - Senior Design Project 2 units *
- ME 195B - Senior Design Project II 3 units *
- MUSC 117 - Music and Culture in Latin America 3 units
- NUFS 144 - Food Culture: Consuming Passions 3 units
- NURS 110ITL - Global Influences on Health 3 units
- PHIL 104 - Asian Philosophy 3 units
- ASIA 104 - Asian Philosophy 3 units
- RELS 104 - Asian Philosophy 3 units
- PHIL 110 - Science, Technology and Human Values 3 units
- PHIL 133 - Ethics in Science 3 units
- PHIL 134 - Computers, Ethics and Society 3 units
- POLS 150 - War and Peace 3 units
- POLS 170V - American Politics in Global Perspective 3 units (US 2/US 3)
- RELS 122 - Magic, Science and Religion 3 units
- ANTH 122 - Magic, Science and Religion 3 units
- RELS 145 - Middle Eastern Traditions 3 units
- ANTH 145 - Middle Eastern Traditions 3 units
- MDES 145 - Middle Eastern Traditions 3 units
- RTVF 111 - Alternative Cinema 3 units
- SPAN 102B - Hispanic American Culture 3 units
- SOCS 139 - World History for Teachers 3 units
- TA 127 - Contemporary Theatre 3 units
- ENGL 127 - Contemporary Theatre 3 units
- TECH 198 - Technology and Civilization 3 units
- CMPE 198 - Technology and Civilization 3 units
- ENGR 198 - Technology and Civilization 3 units
- ME 198 - Technology and Civilization 3 units
- WOMS 102 - The Global Study of Women 3 units
Z. Written Communication II
3 units
All students must satisfy Area Z (GWAR) by
- Earning a “C or better” in a 100W course, all of which enforce the prerequisite of a passing score on the writing Skills Test (WST) or a grade of “C or better” for ENGL 100A or LLD 100A .
- For most degree programs, students should take the 100W course that is required as part of the degree program (listed below); or
- Completing the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) while matriculated at another CSU, or equivalent course work at another university prior to SJSU enrollment; or
- A waiver score on the WST satisfies Area Z without the need to complete a 100W course only in majors that permit a waiver score. Majors that do not permit a waiver (regardless of score) are listed below.
- Effective Fall 2011: Second baccalaureate students who earned their first bachelor degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. are not required to take this course unless required by their major department.
In written communication II courses, students will develop advanced proficiency in college-level writing and appropriate contemporary research strategies and methodologies to communicate effectively to both specialized and general audiences.
Majors Requiring Written Communication II
The following majors require that students complete the Written Communication II (Area Z) course regardless of their score on the Writing Skills Test (i.e., no waiver allowed).
- African American Studies
- Biological Science
- Chemistry
- Communication Studies
- Ecology and Evolution
- Economics
- Engineering (all majors)
- English
- Environmental Studies
- Geography
- Geology
- Global Studies
- History
- Marine Biology
- Meteorology
- Nursing
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Social Science (Teacher Preparation and Multiple Subject Preparation)
- World Languages and Literature (all majors)
100W Courses
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