Course Outline of Record GE Approval Philosophy: As outlined in AP 4025, GE courses must “contain a rigorous collegiate level presentation of theory abstraction, practical information and knowledge” and “expose students to a broad spectrum of beliefs or knowledge of general subject matter area.”

In order to ensure the rigor described in AP 4025, instructors teaching GE courses must be trained in the appropriate knowledge base for each GE area. Therefore, in order to be granted a GE petition in Areas A, B, C, or Health and Physical Education, the course must be housed in an appropriate discipline—with minimum qualifications that ensure the instructor has the subject matter knowledge base.

The disciplines lists for each GE area may be amended by the Curriculum Committee to include additional disciplines with the appropriate knowledge base as needed. Exception: If a course is not in a discipline listed in the GE area below yet currently has articulation for a specific GE area at a CSU or UC, the course can qualify for Yuba College GE, as long as it meets all other applicable GE criteria as outlined below.

How to Write a GE Petition: To petition to add a course to the GE list, complete the General Education/Graduation Petition in eLumen and list the criteria that support the petition. Use specific evidence from the Topical Outline, Course Objectives, and/or Typical Assignments to support the petition.

All Rationales should do the following:

  1. Demonstrate that the course meets the broad educational criteria defined by the Yuba College General Education Philosophy Statement and AP 4025. The language of the Rationale should reflect the language of AP 4025 as well as refer specifically to the Course Objectives, sections of the Topical Outline, and/or Typical Assignments that establish the course as an element of a student’s general education.
  2. Demonstrate that the course meets the specific criteria for the course’s GE Area. In effect, the Rationale should establish the justification for the course being housed within its area. Please note that circular justifications (e.g. Math 123 meets the criteria because it is math) are not sufficient support.
  3. Be succinct, clear, and easy to read. Bulleted lists or brief outlines are recommended.

Area A: Natural Sciences

Disciplines List: Courses to be considered for GE in Natural Sciences must require minimum teaching qualifications for Agriculture, Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Physical Science, Geology, Geography, Environmental Science/Ecology, Physics, Astronomy, or Plant Science.

Rationales for Natural Sciences should demonstrate how the course:

  • Introduces students to a broad pattern of principles upon which is based the study of the natural world, its life forms, and the transformations of matter and energy.
  • Introduces students to the procedure by which new information is acquired and the scientific method.
  • Promotes an understanding of the relationship between science and other human activities.

Area B: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Disciplines List: Courses to be considered for GE in Social and Behavioral Sciences must require minimum teaching qualifications for Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, or Ethnic Studies.

Rationales for Social and Behavioral Sciences should demonstrate how the course:

  • Focuses on people as members of society.
  • Helps the student develop an awareness of the method of inquiry used by the social and behavioral sciences.
  • Stimulates critical thinking about the ways people act and have acted in response to their societies.
  • Promotes appreciation of how societies and social subgroups operate.

Area C: Humanities

Disciplines List: Courses to be considered for GE in Humanities must require minimum teaching qualifications in Art and Photography, English, Foreign and Sign Language, Mass Communication, Music, Philosophy and Humanities, Theatre Arts, Communication Studies and Speech, English as a Second Language, Early Childhood Education, or Asian-American Studies.

Rationales for Humanities should demonstrate how the course:

  • Studies the cultural activities and artistic expressions of human beings.
  • Helps the student develop an awareness of the ways in which people throughout the ages and in different cultures have responded to themselves and the world around them in artistic and cultural creation.
  • Helps the student develop aesthetic understanding and an ability to make value judgments.

Area D: Language and Rationality

Rationales for Language and Rationality should demonstrate how the course:

  • Develops for the student the principles and applications of language toward logical thought, clear and precise expression, and critical evaluation of communication. o
    • Rationales for D1 English Composition will demonstrate how the course design includes both expository and argumentative writing.
    • Rationales for D2 Communication and Analytical Thinking will demonstrate how the course fosters communication and analytical thinking.

Area E: General Education Electives

Rationales for General Education Electives should demonstrate how the course:

  • Fosters the Yuba Community College District General Education Philosophy as outlined in AP 4025.
  • Contains a rigorous collegiate level presentation of theory, abstraction, practical information and knowledge.
  • Exposes students to the appropriate exercise of learning skills.
  • Exposes students to a broad spectrum of beliefs or knowledge of general subject matter area.

Multicultural Graduation Requirement

Rationales for the Multicultural Graduation Requirement should demonstrate that at least one of the following three criteria are met:

  • At least half of the course content/objectives examine significant aspects of the culture, contributions, and social experiences of no fewer than two different under-represented ethnic/racial minority groups in the United States.
  • At least half of the course content/objectives examine a minimum of three groups, one of which may be European-American or European and is comparative in nature.
  • At least half of the course content/objectives include an analysis of ethnicity, ethnocentrism, and/or racism, and how these forces shape and explain cultural experience.

Health and Physical Education

Disciplines List: Courses to be considered for GE in Health and Physical Education must require minimum teaching qualifications for Health, Physical Education, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or Adapted Physical Education.

Rationales for Health /Physical Education should demonstrate how the course:

  • Focuses on the benefits of regular exercise
  • Helps students develop an awareness of the connection between physical health and chronic disease
  • Promotes an understanding of the physical, mental, and social benefits of healthy lifestyle choices
  • Stimulates critical thinking about nutritional food choices