Philosophy of the General Education Core
The University of Maine at Presque Isle functions on the assumption
that all graduates should have a core of education that is common
to all students, providing a broad base of knowledge and skills
- a key to long term success. The faculty of the University believes
that there exists a certain body of knowledge and skills that
every graduate must have regardless of the chosen path in life.
This General Education Core, then, represents our best efforts
to design a common learning experience for our students that will
distinguish them among their peers and prepare them for an uncertain
future in a changing society.
The General Education Core familiarizes students with their
place in the context of humanity as a whole. A university graduate
who views life merely in terms of the here and now would be shortchanged
by the institution and unprepared for the diverse world of the
21st century. By providing a broad foundation of information and
skills, the Core insures that the graduate not only has knowledge
of a major field but also the flexibility to think critically
and argue persuasively on a range of issues relevant to personal
and professional life. Upon completing the Core, students will
also possess self-knowledge and a sensitivity to others that will
prepare them to deal competently with personal and social issues.
Critical and conceptual thinking, multiculturalism, and acquisition
of technical skills are pervasive throughout the educational experience
at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
The General Education Core, then, is not simply a collection
of courses representing different disciplines but rather it is
a set of courses with common, interrelated aims. The Core strikes
a balance between essential bodies of knowledge and the wisdom
and skill to employ that knowledge in a variety of ways. The Core
synthesizes disciplines to provide a total university experience,
producing a liberally educated graduate, regardless of major.
The structural framework of the General Education Core addresses
several concepts; some represent a body of knowledge, some skills,
and some an intellectual or ethical perspective. The concepts
fostered throughout the Core are: literacy; numeracy; personal,
social, and cultural awareness; scientific inquiry; and an appreciation
of the arts. The courses chosen to address these themes actively
engage the student in searching for a place in the larger context
of society, culture, history, expression, thought, and human behavior.
Ultimately, the Core gives each student, regardless of major,
the basis for grasping the complexities of life as a whole and
the tools to confront its challenges.
Block Credit
Students entering the University of Maine at Presque Isle as
degree or certification seekers who have completed an undergraduate
degree at an accredited institution will receive block credit for
their previous degree work and will be exempt from meeting the specific
requirements of the University General Education Core. This does
not exempt them from program requirements. Advisors should counsel
exempted students to take courses to fill any deficiencies in their
general education relevant to their career or future citizenship.
Core Requirements for Specific Programs
Please refer to the academic program for specific course requirements
or recommendations regarding the core. Certain degree requirements
may be met by informed choices within the General Education Core.
Students should consult with their advisors to make the best choices
for their needs and goals.
Students changing majors may be advised to enroll for additional
courses from the General Education Core to satisfy their new program
requirements.
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