In thinking over what is necessary for a generally well-educated
student, the faculty identified two principal goals for the General
Education program: to help you (1) locate yourself in your own moment
of cultural and intellectual history; and (2) think critically about
the books you read, the arguments you confront and the evidence offered
for and against theories in the humanities, the social sciences and the
natural sciences.
To achieve these two goals, the program is divided into two parts:
the first part, called "Foundations," presents courses that give you
the "big picture" about (I) the development of western European and
American culture, as well as (II) alternative cultural traditions, and
(III) the basic principles animating scientific inquiry. The second
part, called "Case Studies," provides particular opportunities for you
to sharpen your critical intelligence by considering specific (IV)
applications of science and technology, (V) works of literature,
philosophy and art and (VI) contemporary social issues of urgency and
importance.
As you look through the courses in each category, try to reach
beyond the disciplines with which you are most familiar. Draw broadly
from the range of academic expertise at USC and choose a thoughtful,
provocative selection of "g" courses as your personal general education
program. This academic background will need to serve you well in the
future.
General Education Requirements
Foundations
| I. | Cultures and Civilizations I | one course |
| II. | Cultures and Civilizations II | one course |
| III. | Scientific Principles | one course |
Case Studies
| IV. | Investigations in Science and Technology | one course |
| V. | Arts and Letters | one course |
| VI. | Social Issues | one course |
Writing Requirement
| WRIT 140 | Writing and Critical Reasoning | one course |
| WRIT 340 | Advanced Writing | one course |
Additional information is available online at www.usc.edu/ge.
Transitional General Education Requirements
Students who began college before fall 1997 and entered USC before fall 2000 should speak to their academic
advisors.
General Education
Category I: Cultures and Civilizations I
| COLT 151xg | Modern Western Literature and Culture |
| HIST 102g | Medieval Civilization |
| HIST 103g | The Emergence of Modern Europe |
| HIST 200g | The American Experience |
| PHIL 220g | Science, Religion, and the Making of the Modern Mind |
| REL 121g | The World of the New Testament |
Category II: Cultures and Civilizations II
| ANTH 100g | Principles of Human Organization: Non-Western Societies |
| ANTH 263g | Exploring Culture Through Film |
| EALC 110g | East Asian Humanities: The Great Tradition |
| HIST 105g | The Korean Past |
| POSC 255g | Cultures, Civilizations and Ethnicities in World Politics |
Category III: Scientific Principles
| CHEM 105aLg | General Chemistry |
| GEOL 107Lxg | Oceanography |
| GEOL 108Lg | Crises of a Planet |
| PHYS 151Lg | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics |
Category IV: Investigations in Science and Technology
| EXSC 205Lxg | The Science of Human Performance |
Category V: Arts and Letters
| ARLT 100g | Arts and Letters |
| ARLT 101g | Studies in Arts and Letters |
Category VI: Social Issues
| GEOG 257g | Environment and Ethics |
| POSC 130g | Law, Politics and Public Policy |
Diversity
| BUCO 333m | Communication in the Working World - Managing Diversity and Conflict |
| COMM 395m | Gender, Media and Communication |
| CTCS 192m | Race, Class, and Gender in American Film |
| MUSC 400m | The Broadway Musical: Reflection of American Diversity, Issues, and Experiences |
