General Education

All programs leading to an associate degree at Brookdale include the following competencies as appropriate to the specific degree in the general education portion of the curricula from the following major knowledge areas:

Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS) degree students are required to complete coursework that addresses the General Education goals of Ethical Reasoning and Action (E) and Information Literacy (IL) in addition to completing courses from the above identified knowledge areas. (E) and (IL) goals are integrated in a limited number of General Education courses. AA and AS students must complete at least one General Education course that contains the (E) integrated goal, and at least one course that contains the (IL) integrated goal. AAS students are required to complete course(s) that integrate (E) and (IL) competencies and may fulfill this requirement through General Education or other program requirements.

Students should choose their general education courses based upon the degree sought and their transfer plans. Student Development Specialists (Counselors) work with students to design a plan of study.

General Education courses are identified in the course description section of the catalog and are listed below.

General education requirements for each degree program are summarized in the General Education Knowledge Areas tables:

⁽¹⁾ Students must take 3 credits in Humanities and 3 credits in Social Sciences, plus an additional 3 credits in either category for a total of 9 credits.
⁽²⁾ A laboratory science course is required for A.A. and A.S. degree students.
⁽³⁾ Students must complete a minimum of 12 credits for the AA degree and 9 credits for the AS degree to fulfill the requirements for the Mathematics (M), Sciences (SC) and Technological Competency (IT) knowledge areas.
⁽⁴⁾ Technological Competency can be satisfied by program requirements other than General Education. Students may take an assessment to demonstrate their technological competency and increase the number of credits completed in mathematics and science. Students should consult a Counselor.
⁽⁵⁾ Students planning to transfer to Rutgers must complete a specific course in the CG category. The CG course CAN NOT be used to fulfill any other GE requirement, including Humanities, History, Social Sciences or any additional GE credits required in your degree. In order for the course to be recognized by Rutgers, it must be completed prior to graduation with the AA degree. No other NJ public institutions have this requirement.
⁽⁶⁾ The number of required General Education credits are the minimum; the actual number of credits completed may exceed the minimum.

A description of the General Education courses that meet the requirements of each General Education category are described in the Programs of Study section.

General Education Courses By Category

Communications (C)

View Communication Course Criteria

ENGL121 - English Composition: The Writing Process Credits: 3
ENGL122 - English Composition: Writing and Research Credits: 3 (E) (IL)
SPCH115 - Public Speaking Credits: 3 (E) (IL)

Humanities (HU)

View Humanities Course Criteria

AMSL101 - American Sign Language I Credits: 3
AMSL102 - American Sign Language II Credits: 3
ARAB101 - Elementary Arabic I Credits: 4
ARAB102 - Elementary Arabic II Credits: 4
ARTH105 - Art Appreciation Credits: 3
ARTH106 - History of Art: Ancient Through Medieval Credits: 3
ARTH107 - History of Art: Renaissance Through Contemporary Credits: 3
CHNS101 - Elementary Chinese I Credits: 4
CHNS102 - Elementary Chinese II Credits: 4
CINE105 - Film Appreciation: Motion Picture/Art Credits: 3
ENGL155 - The Short Story Credits: 3
ENGL156 - Introduction to Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL158 - Introduction to Literature Credits: 3
ENGL175 - Women’s Perspectives in Literature Credits: 3
ENGL231 - British Literature I: Beginnings to 18th Century Credits: 3
ENGL232 - British Literature II: Romantic Era to The Modern Age Credits: 3
ENGL235 - World Literature I Credits: 3 (CG)
ENGL236 - World Literature II Credits: 3 (CG)
ENGL245 - American Literature I Credits: 3
ENGL246 - American Literature II Credits: 3
ENGL275 - Shakespeare’s Plays Credits: 3
FRCH101 - Elementary French I Credits: 4
FRCH102 - Elementary French II Credits: 4
FRCH203 - Intermediate French I Credits: 3
FRCH204 - Intermediate French II Credits: 3
FRCH206 - French Conversation and Composition I Credits: 3
FRCH207 - French Conversation and Composition II Credits: 3
GRMN101 - Elementary German I Credits: 4
GRMN102 - Elementary German II Credits: 4
GRMN203 - Intermediate German I Credits: 3
GRMN204 - Intermediate German II Credits: 3
HIST105 - World Civilization I Credits: 3 (HI) (CG)
HIST106 - World Civilization II Credits: 3 (HI) (CG)
HIST107 - Contemporary World History Credits: 3 (HI) (CG)
HIST108 - Modern European History Credits: 3 (HI)
HIST125 - Women’s History Survey: Experiences, Contributions and Debates Credits: 3 (HI) (CG)
HIST135 - American Civilization I Credits: 3 (HI)
HIST136 - American Civilization II Credits: 3 (HI)
HIST137 - Recent American History Credits: 3 (HI)
HIST145 - African-American History I Credits: 3 (HI) (CG)
HIST146 - African-American History II Credits: 3 (HI) (CG)
HIST215 - African Civilization Credits: 3 (HI) (CG)
HIST217 - Modern Latin American History Credits: 3 (HI) (CG)
HIST225 - History of Modern Asia Credits: 3 (HI) (CG)
HIST227 - Middle Eastern History Credits: 3 (HI) (CG)
HUMN125 - The Creative Process Credits: 3
ITAL101 - Elementary Italian I Credits: 4
ITAL102 - Elementary Italian II Credits: 4
ITAL203 - Intermediate Italian I Credits: 3
ITAL204 - Intermediate Italian II Credits: 3
JPNS101 - Elementary Japanese I Credits: 4
JPNS102 - Elementary Japanese II Credits: 4
JPNS203 - Intermediate Japanese I Credits: 3
JPNS204 - Intermediate Japanese II Credits: 3
MUSI115 - History of Classical Music Credits: 3
MUSI116 - History of Jazz Credits: 3 (CG)
PHIL105 - Critical Thinking Credits: 3 (E)
PHIL115 - Introduction to Philosophy Credits: 3 (E)
PHIL225 - Comparative Religion Credits: 3 (CG)
PHIL226 - Logic Credits: 3
PHIL227 - Introduction to Ethics Credits: 3 (E)
PHIL228 - Social and Political Philosophy Credits: 3 (E)
PHTY105 - The History and Aesthetics of Photography Credits: 3
PORT101 - Elementary Portuguese I Credits: 4
PORT102 - Elementary Portuguese II Credits: 4
RUSS101 - Elementary Russian I Credits: 4
RUSS102 - Elementary Russian II Credits: 4
SPAN101 - Elementary Spanish I Credits: 4
SPAN102 - Elementary Spanish II Credits: 4
SPAN203 - Intermediate Spanish I Credits: 3
SPAN204 - Intermediate Spanish II Credits: 3
SPAN207 - Spanish Conversation and Composition Credits: 3
SPAN215 - Contemporary Latin American Literature Credits: 3
THTR105 - Theater Appreciation Credits: 3
THTR135 - Musical Theater Credits: 3

Social Sciences (SS)

View Social Sciences Course Criteria

ANTH105 - Cultural Anthropology Credits: 3 (CG)
ANTH115 - Introduction to Archaeology Credits: 3
ANTH116 - Introduction to Physical Anthropology Credits: 3
ECON105 - Macro Economics Credits: 3
ECON106 - Micro Economics Credits: 3
ECON107 - Economics Credits: 3
GEOG115 - Human Geography Credits: 3 (CG)
POLI101 - Introduction to Political Science Credits: 3
POLI105 - American National Government Credits: 3
POLI115 - State, County, & Local Government Credits: 3
PSYC105 - Introduction to Psychology I: Physical & Sensory Aspects Credits: 3
PSYC106 - Introduction to Psychology II: Personality & Social Aspects Credits: 3
PSYC206 - Human Growth and Development I Credits: 3
PSYC207 - Human Growth and Development II Credits: 3
PSYC208 - Life Span Development Credits: 3 (E)
PSYC226 - Adolescent Psychology Credits: 3 (E)
SOCI101 - Principles of Sociology Credits: 3
SOCI202 - Analysis of Social Problems Credits: 3
SOCI215 - Marriage and the Family Credits: 3

Mathematics (M)

View Mathematics Course Criteria

MATH131 - Statistics Credits: 4
MATH136 - Mathematics for the Liberal Arts Credits: 3
MATH137 - Finite Mathematics Credits: 3
MATH145 - Algebraic Modeling Credits: 4
MATH146 - Advanced Topics in Mathematics for the Liberal Arts Credits: 4
MATH151 - Intermediate Algebra Credits: 4
MATH152 - College Algebra & Trigonometry Credits: 4
MATH153 - Pre-Calculus Mathematics Credits: 4
MATH156 - Mathematics for Management and the Social Sciences Credits: 3
MATH171 - Calculus I Credits: 4
MATH172 - Calculus II Credits: 4
MATH176 - Calculus With Business Applications Credits: 4
MATH273 - Calculus III Credits: 4
MATH274 - Elementary Differential Equations Credits: 4
MATH285 - Linear Algebra Credits: 3

Sciences (SC)

View Science Course Criteria

BIOL101 - General Biology I Credits: 4
BIOL102 - General Biology II Credits: 4
BIOL105 - Life Sciences Credits: 4
BIOL108 - Human Biology Credits: 4 (E)
BIOL111 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
BIOL112 - Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4
BIOL125 - Introduction to Plants Credits: 4
BIOL126 - Exploring Biology: Cycles of Life Credits: 3
BIOL213 - Microbiology Credits: 4
CHEM100 - Principles of Chemistry Credits: 4
CHEM101 - General Chemistry I Credits: 5
CHEM102 - General Chemistry II Credits: 5
CHEM116 - Chemistry in Life Credits: 4
CHEM136 - Introduction to Inorganic, Organic and Biological Chemistry Credits: 4
ENVR107 - Environmental Science Credits: 4
ENVR108 - Principles of Sustainability Credits: 3
ENVR111 - Oceanography Credits: 4
ENVR127 - Meteorology Credits: 4
ENVR130 - Physical Geology Credits: 4
PHYS106 - Astronomy Credits: 3
PHYS108 - Physics in Life Credits: 4
PHYS111 - General Physics I (Non-Calculus) Credits: 4
PHYS112 - General Physics II (Non-Calculus) Credits: 4
PHYS121 - General Physics I Credits: 4
PHYS122 - General Physics II Credits: 4
PHYS223 - General Physics III Credits: 4

Technological Competency (IT)

View Technological Competency Course Criteria

COMP126 - Computer Logic and Design Credits: 3
COMP128 - Fundamentals of Programming Credits: 1
COMP129 - Information Technology Credits: 3 (E)

History (HI)

View History Course Criteria

HIST105 - World Civilization I Credits: 3 (CG) (HU)
HIST106 - World Civilization II Credits: 3 (CG) (HU)
HIST107 - Contemporary World History Credits: 3 (CG) (HU)
HIST108 - Modern European History Credits: 3 (HU)
HIST125 - Women’s History Survey: Experiences, Contributions and Debates Credits: 3 (CG) (HU)
HIST135 - American Civilization I Credits: 3 (HU)
HIST136 - American Civilization II Credits: 3 (HU)
HIST137 - Recent American History Credits: 3 (HU)
HIST145 - African-American History I Credits: 3 (CG) (HU)
HIST146 - African-American History II Credits: 3 (CG) (HU)
HIST215 - African Civilization Credits: 3 (CG) (HU)
HIST217 - Modern Latin American History Credits: 3 (CG) (HU)
HIST225 - History of Modern Asia Credits: 3 (CG) (HU)
HIST227 - Middle Eastern History Credits: 3 (CG) (HU)

Cultural and Global Awareness (CG)

View Cultural and Global Awareness Course Criteria

ANTH105 - Cultural Anthropology Credits: 3 (SS)
ANTH106 - Cultures of the World Credits: 3
ANTH205 - Culture and Personality Credits: 3 (E) (IL)
ENGL150 - African-American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL175 - Women’s Perspectives in Literature Credits: 3
ENGL229 - Representing Gender Credits: 3
ENGL235 - World Literature I Credits: 3 (HU)
ENGL236 - World Literature II Credits: 3 (HU)
GEOG115 - Human Geography Credits: 3 (SS)
HIST105 - World Civilization I Credits: 3 (HI) (HU)
HIST106 - World Civilization II Credits: 3 (HI) (HU)
HIST107 - Contemporary World History Credits: 3 (HI) (HU)
HIST125 - Women’s History Survey: Experiences, Contributions and Debates Credits: 3 (HI) (HU)
HIST126 - Dimensions of the Holocaust Credits: 3
HIST145 - African-American History I Credits: 3 (HI) (HU)
HIST146 - African-American History II Credits: 3 (HI) (HU)
HIST155 - Native American Studies Credits: 3
HIST215 - African Civilization Credits: 3 (HI) (HU)
HIST217 - Modern Latin American History Credits: 3 (HI) (HU)
HIST225 - History of Modern Asia Credits: 3 (HI) (HU)
HIST226 - History of Modern Russia Credits: 3
HIST227 - Middle Eastern History Credits: 3 (HI) (HU)
HIST235 - Immigration & Ethnicity in American History Credits: 3
HUMN129 - Issues in Women’s Studies Credits: 3
HUMN230 - Women and Science Credits: 3
MUSI116 - History of Jazz Credits: 3 (HU)
PHIL225 - Comparative Religion Credits: 3 (HU)
PSYC217 - Social Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC225 - Human Sexuality Credits: 3
PSYC228 - Cross-Cultural Psychology Credits: 3
SOCI105 - Intercultural Communication: The Person and The Process Credits: 3
SOCI216 - Majority and Minority Relations in America Credits: 3
SOCI225 - Sociology of Gender Credits: 3

Ethical Reasoning and Action (E)

View Ethical Reasoning and Action Course Criteria

Ethical Reasoning and Action is an integrated goal in General Education courses and is integrated in the following courses:

ANTH205 - Culture and Personality Credits: 3
(CG) (IL)
BIOL108 - Human Biology Credits: 4 (SC)
COMP129 - Information Technology Credits: 3 (IT)
ENGL122 - English Composition: Writing and Research Credits: 3 (C) (IL)
PHIL105 - Critical Thinking Credits: 3 (HU)
PHIL115 - Introduction to Philosophy Credits: 3 (HU)
PHIL227 - Introduction to Ethics Credits: 3 (HU)
PHIL228 - Social and Political Philosophy Credits: 3 (HU)
PSYC208 - Life Span Development Credits: 3 (SS)
PSYC226 - Adolescent Psychology Credits: 3 (SS)
SPCH115 - Public Speaking Credits: 3 (C) (IL)

Information Literacy (IL)

View Information Literacy Course Criteria

Information literacy is an integrated goal in General Education courses and is integrated in the following General Education course:

ANTH205 - Culture and Personality Credits: 3
(CG) (E)
ENGL122 - English Composition: Writing and Research Credits: 3 (C) (E)
SPCH115 - Public Speaking Credits: 3
(C) (E)

Institutional Learning Outcomes

Institutional Learning Outcomes

Institutional learning outcomes are the skills and abilities all degree-seeking students are expected to acquire upon degree completion. They represent the general education model as articulated by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the New Jersey State Community College (NJCC) General Education requirements. Students will acquire these learning outcomes as appropriate for their degree type. Specialized degree program requirements (A.S. and A.A.S. degrees) will be comparable, though not necessarily identical to the institutional learning outcomes listed below.

Middle States General Education Requirements	NJCC General Education Goal Categories	Brookdale Community College Institutional Learning Outcomes
Critical Analysis and Reasoning	Critical Thinking is Embedded in Goal Categories*	Critical Thinking is Embedded
Oral and Written Communication	1 Written and Oral Communication (Communication)	Students will communicate effectively in both speech and writing.
Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning	2 Quantitative Knowledge and Skills (Mathematics)	Students will use appropriate mathematical and statistical concepts and operations to interpret data and to solve problems.
Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning	3 Scientific Knowledge and Reasoning (Science)	Students will use the scientific method of inquiry, through the acquisition of scientific knowledge.
Technological Competency	4 Technological Competency (Technology)	Students will use computer systems or other appropriate forms of technology to achieve educational and personal goals.
Values, Ethics, and Diverse Perspectives	5 Society and Human Behavior (Social Science)	Students will use social science theories and concepts to analyze human behavior and social and political institutions and to act as responsible citizens.
	6 Humanistic Perspective (Humanities)	Students will analyze works in the fields of art, music, or theater; literature; and philosophy and/or religious studies; or will gain competence in the use of a foreign language.
	7 Historical Perspective (History)	Students will understand historical events and movements in World, Western, non-Western or American societies and assess their subsequent significance.
	8 Global and Cultural Awareness (Diversity)	Students will understand the importance of a global perspective and culturally diverse peoples.
	Ethical Reasoning and Action (Integrated Course Goal)	Students will understand ethical issues and situations.
Information Literacy	Information Literacy (Integrated Course Goal)	Students will address an information need by locating, evaluating and effectively using information.

* Under the NJCC General Education Foundation (2011), critical thinking is embedded in all goal categories.