The General Studies curriculum provides core credits and electives for all career-field majors, or it stands by itself as a major or minor. The major sequence consists of integrated studies of mankind and civilization. The courses combine the history, literature, world view, great works, and major figures of each culture studied.

The goals of General Studies are depth, breadth, creative thinking, and leadership development in all the disciplines and areas of the competencies. These are transferable skills that prepare the student for change and never go out of date.

General Studies modules foster student development in each of the nine areas of competency that together comprise the CUW curriculum goals: aesthetics, citizenship, communication, cultural understanding, numeracy, physical discipline, problem solving, scientific literacy, and spiritual development. In addition, the General Studies major includes the following major-specific goals, enabling students better to gauge the world we live in by being able to:

1. Gain a broad knowledge of major world cultures;
2. Acquire a fundamental knowledge of world history that includes major events, themes, and persons;
3. Understand the geographical, cultural, religious, and political divisions of the physical world;
4. Grasp the correlation between works of literature and their historical and cultural contexts;
5. Explore key philosophical movements and their relationship to Christian faith.

48 Credit Major Sequence (Bachelor or Associate Degree)

AL 107 Student Success Strategies 3 credits, 4 weeks 

AL 204* College Writing 3 credits, 6 weeks 

AL 378* Africa: History and Culture 3 credits, 6 weeks

AL 379 Classical Greece and Rome 3 credits, 4 weeks

AL 380* The Bible in History 3 credits, 4 weeks

AL 381 The World of Islam 3 credits, 4 weeks

AL 382 The Orient: History and Culture 3 credits, 4 weeks

AL 384 Medieval History and Literature 3 credits, 4 weeks

AL 386 Renaissance and Reformation 3 credits, 4 weeks

AL 387* The Age of Enlightenment 3 credits, 4 weeks

AL 389 The Romantic Age 3 credits, 4 weeks

AL 390 Modernism: 1850-1950 3 credits, 4 weeks

AL 391 Contemporary Studies 3 credits, 4 weeks

AL 285* Historical Methods 3 credits, 4 weeks

AL 103 Music 3 credits, 4 weeks

AL 168 Astronomy 3 credits, 6 weeks

*Starred courses fulfill core requirements inside the major.

Additional Core Requirements:

32 Credits (Associate: 9 Credits)

1. Civilization and World Views: Literature (3 credits)
2. Christian Doctrine (3 credits)
   Communications (3 credits)**
3. Language and Culture (3 credits)
   Mathematics (3 credits)
4. Philosophical Foundation (3 credits)
   Social Science (3 credits)**
5. Creative Arts (3 credits)**
6. Physical Development (2 credits)
7. Lab Science (3 credits)
8. Advanced Religious Studies (3 credits)

**Required for Associate Degree.

Elective Requirements:

48 Credits (Associate: 7 Credits)