“The price of admission to this 21st century…is a liberal education—intellectual agility and ethical competence.”
--- Wisconsin Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton
Program Description
General Education at Saint Francis University is a program of both curricular and co-curricular activities designed to prepare students for life. All components of the General Education Program are driven by the 14 learning objectives and by the eight Goals of Franciscan Higher Education. The center of the General Education Program is a 58-credit set of courses, most of which students complete during their first two years of university study. Saint Francis' General Education Program extends beyond the classroom to include lectures, presentations, performances, service learning, and other educational activities. The result is an educational experience that is diverse and practical, and at the same time integrated and focused.
The General Education Program reflects our philosophy that a solid yet diverse academic base, critical thinking skills, a strong moral foundation and a love for lifelong learning are the essential tools for student success in today's world. By emphasizing values, skills, and knowledge, the General Education Program at Saint Francis University complements students' major programs of study, encourages students to think critically and ethically, and prepares graduates to make meaningful service contributions in a variety of professional pursuits.
General Education Mission Statement
The remainder of this page describes those components of the General Education Program that are administered by the Office of General Education. For a complete list and descriptions of all General Education Program requirements, visit the Core Curriculum page of the General Education web site.
Summer Reading Program
The Summer Reading Program is designed to introduce first-year students to major goals of the Saint Francis University General Education Program, including critical thinking, communication, Franciscan values and ethics, and multicultural and global awareness. Each summer, incoming first year students are given a copy of a book that has been selected by university faculty to challenge our students to grapple with ethical issues while reading an interesting and thought-provoking text. For the summer of 2008, the book selected for our students is Cage of Stars by Jacquelyn Mitchard, a novel about a young Mormon woman confronting her anger over the murder of her younger sisters.
Colloquia
"Colloquia" is the plural of "colloquium," the Latin word for "conversation." Colloquia are first-year seminars that provide students and their professors with the opportunity to explore in depth a topic of special importance. Topics and instructors vary each semester, but every colloquium is interdisciplinary in nature and addresses values and ethical issues. All Colloquia require students to write papers in which they analyze research material critically, present it in an organized fashion, and incorporate such research into a framework of ethical reflection.
Information Literacy
This one-credit course introduces students to library resources, the campus computer network, and the academic research process. Students practice common computer applications; learn to use the university's web-based course-delivery system; and develop their abilities to research, evaluate, and use information critically and ethically. Students enroll in Information Literacy and a Colloquium in the same semester.
Learning Community
During the past decade, Learning Communities have become widely used in higher education as a way to forge meaningful connections among distinct academic disciplines. Evergreen State College's National Learning Communities Project states that learning communities seek "to build community among students and their teachers, and among faculty members and disciplines." For students, Learning Communities increase retention and academic achievement as well as helping students make connections between and among disciplines. For faculty, Learning Communities can be unique opportunities to expand their repertoire of teaching approaches, revitalize their main course content, and build mentoring relationships.
Many of the colloquia offered to first-year students are part of a Learning Community that links the colloquium experience with another general education course to create a multi-disciplinary learning experience around a single topic.
Community Enrichment Series
The Community Enrichment Series (CES) broadens students' cultural perspectives, raises awareness of current and/or historical issues, and promotes conversation about ideas and values. The Series includes various out-of-class experiences, such as musical and theatrical performances, guest lectures, and films that advance the goals of the General Education Program at Saint Francis University. First-year students are required to attend a total of twelve Community Enrichment Series events during their first year at Saint Francis.
Service Learning
Learning to serve others is an integral component of the educational experience at Saint Francis University. In the spirit of our namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, we believe that sharing our knowledge and skills generously with others is the key to meaningful personal and professional lives. To this end, all students at the University complete at least ten hours of service to the poor and to those with special needs. Saint Francis University hopes that students' service learning experiences will be part of a lifetime of active service within their communities, the nation, and the world.
Writing Competency Exam
The Writing Competency Exam (WCE) tests a student s ability to write a coherent, well-developed essay demonstrating critical thinking ability. The exam is designed to ensure that all graduates of Saint Francis University have met minimum standards for baccalaureate level writing.
Senior Capstones
Senior Capstones are interdisciplinary activities or courses that enable students to reflect upon the connections between their General Education experiences and their major programs of study. The selection of Senior Capstones varies each semester; students may also choose to design their own capstone experiences under the direction of a faculty advisor.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Alice Walters
Associate Dean of General Education
Office of General Education
Saint Francis University
P.O. Box 600
Loretto, PA 15940-0600
814/472-3149
awalters@francis.edu