Students who complete the Russell Sage College General Education program will be empowered, informed, participatory citizens in a dynamic and diverse society. Students will develop practical knowledge, as well as, creative and critical thinking skills to thrive in an ever-changing world where multi-layered problems demand innovative solutions. Student learning outcomes are assessed and documented through a variety of artifacts, course assignments, and transcripts. [36 credits]
Program Goals
• To Be: students will develop cultural awareness and engage as citizen-learners who can problem-solve through ethical, evidence-based, and innovative thinking.
• To Know: students will develop, analyze, and synthesize knowledge to achieve a deeper understanding that will direct current and future inquiry and action.
• To Do: students will work collaboratively within diverse cultures through civic and professional engagement to facilitate change and positively impact communities.
I. Core : 15 credits
• WRT 101 Writing in the Community : 3 credits
• WRT 201 Researching in the Community : 3 credits
• RSC 101 Thriving at Sage : 3 credits *
• RSC 201 Exploring Intercultural Perspectives : 3 credits **
• RSC 301 Innovating to Impact : 3 credits
• Culminating Experience (in major program)
II. Distribution : 21 credits
Arts, 3 credits
100- or 200-level course from: AEM, ARH, DAN, GMD, ISD, MUS, THR, or VPA
Humanities, 3 credits
100- or 200-level course from: ARA, ASL, CHN, COM, ENG, FRE, GRE, HST, HUM, ITA, PHL, POR, RUS, or SPA
Natural Sciences, 3 credits
100- or 200-level course from: BIO, CHM, PHY, SCI, or PSY 215
Quantitative Reasoning, 3 credits
MAT 110 or higher or a Statistics course: ECO 215, MAT 110, MAT 111, MAT 112, MAT 113, MAT 121, MAT 201, MAT 202, MAT 220, or PSY 207
Social Sciences, 3 credits
100- or 200-level course from: CRM, ECO, POL, PSY, or SOC
Wellness/Thrive, 3 credits
ARH 310, BUS 110, BUS 369, EMH 201, EMH 211, EMH 216, EMH 218, HSC 215, HST 238, HUM 314, NSG 201, PBH 201, PED 225, or PSY 219
Distribution Elective, 3 credits
Complete 3 credits from one of the Distribution areas above that is outside of your major requirements.
III. Notes
*RSC 101 is waived for transfer students with 15 or more transfer credits upon admission or who have earned an associate degree prior to enrollment.
**RSC 201 is waived for transfer students with 54 or more transfer credits upon admission or who have earned an associate degree prior to enrollment.
• Courses required in general education may also fulfill a requirement in the major program except where noted. The course credits are only counted once in your overall credit total.
General Education Core
The core is designed to address student academic, social, and emotional needs as developing learners, to create a strong assessment pathway with both entry and end points, and to promote a sense of identity among different cohorts: student to student, student to faculty, and student to the institution.
WRT 101 and WRT 201 completed in the first year will focus on writing, critical reading and thinking, and research as social processes. The second course will build upon the first, with further instruction in conducting and writing academic research.
I. First Year Seminar
Year one: RSC 101 Thriving at Sage: Your Experience Begins will be anchored by a common theme and expose students to experiences and content that supports college success, including academic strategies, campus resources, finding an affinity group, and wellness.
II. Intercultural Studies
Year Two: RSC 201 Exploring Intercultural Perspectives explores human diversity and the historical, cultural, global, and systemic forces that shape experiences and world views. This course will also provide avenues for students to get involved with the Russell Sage College Women's Institute and Sage THRIVE initiative.
III. Engaging in a World with Multifaceted Issues
Year Three or Four: in RSC 301 Innovating to Impact, students will engage with in complex problems to encourage communication across disciplines and cultural boundaries.
Wellness/Thrive
• Well-being and health require knowledge and liberal learning skills.
• Individual wellness depends on social structures and a just society.
• Gender equity and inclusion are part of a healthy community.
• Healthy societies are diverse, inclusive and welcome the creativity of all persons.
• Individual health is dependent on the health of the planet.
List of approved Wellness courses:
• ARH 310 Art and American Character
• BUS 110 Financial Literacy
• BUS 369 Business Strategy & Sustainability
• EMH 201 Intro Creative Arts in Therapy
• EMH 211 Intro to Art Therapy
• EMH 216 Intro to Music Therapy
• EMH 218 Intro to Theatre Therapy
• HSC 215 Health & Wellness Across the Lifespan
• HST 238 History of Medicine & Healthcare
• HUM 314 The Creative Life
• NSG 201 Theoretical Basis of Nursing
• PBH 201 Survey of Public Health
• PED 225 Concepts of Fitness & Wellness
• PSY 219 Positive Psychology
[Liberal Arts & Sciences categories]
Competencies
Russell Sage College is committed to providing opportunities for academic success. The assessment of English language and mathematics skills is the first step toward promoting academic success. The results of the assessment program are used to help determine appropriate academic courses for each student; the goal is to help each student achieve basic proficiency in the vital English language and mathematics competencies which are necessary for collegiate success.
Assessment of English language skills and mathematics skills is based on evaluation of the high school transcript (course averages grades 9-11 and Regents exam scores). Entering students who do not initially demonstrate competency in English language skills and mathematics skills may be identified as needing HUM 100/WRT 100 and/or MAT 104/MAT 105, 3 credits. Completion of HUM 100/WRT 100 is recommended in the first term of study. Completion of MAT 104/MAT 105 is recommended in the first year of study.
Second Degree Students
Second degree students possessing an undergraduate bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the United States are exempt from all general education requirements. Those holding bachelor’s degrees from international institutions may appeal to the Academic Dean for a waiver of all or a portion of general education requirements.