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UW-Madison > School of Ed > EAS > Programs > 2007 Liberal Studies

2007 Liberal Studies Requirements - School of Education

For Students First Enrolled as New Freshmen, Summer 2007 or Later

The liberal studies requirements combine students’ strengths and interests with an opportunity to explore a wide selection of courses offered across campus. Similarly, liberal studies courses can also be used to define, confirm, and explore major options while counting towards graduation credit. The liberal studies requirements include course work in communication and quantitative reasoning, humanities, social studies, and science. Students will also need elective course work to reach the minimum of 40 credits.

Students first enrolled as new freshmen Summer 1996-Spring 2007 must complete the 1996 Liberal Studies Requirements. See your EAS advisor for different requirements if you were enrolled as a new college freshman prior to Summer, 1996. Students with a previous undergraduate degree, regardless of what year they began as a freshman, have satisfied the liberal studies requirements.

Completion of the liberal studies requirements is not a prerequisite to professional program application or admission. No liberal studies course work may be taken on a pass/fail basis. In general, courses taken from School of Education departments may not be used to satisfy liberal studies requirements. See details on this below.

Most liberal studies courses are offered by academic departments in the College of Letters and Science. Courses in other schools/colleges (excluding the School of Education) may meet a requirement if designated by a T or C in the last column of the Timetable, or assigned a level or breadth code. Level codes may be Elementary (E), Intermediate (I), Advanced (A), or Intermediate/Advanced (D) level. The breadth (B) column in the Timetable identifies most course work with the following codes:

B Biological Science
S Social Science
H Humanities
W Social or Natural Science
L Literature
X Humanities or Natural Science
N Natural Science
Y Biological or Social Science
P Physical Science
Z Humanities or Social Science

For the most part, courses taken from School of Education departments may NOT be used to satisfy the liberal studies requirements. For example, PE Activ 100 Exercise, Nutrition, and Health, cannot count toward the liberal studies requirement even though it is coded as a biological science. Ed Psych 320 and RP & SE 300 cannot count toward liberal studies even though they are coded as social studies courses. Exceptions include some courses that are cross-listed in departments outside the School of Education such as Ed Pol/ History 412 History of American Education. Some programs also allow Art and Dance department courses to count toward the humanities requirement. School of Education departments include Art, Art Education, Counseling Psychology, Curriculum and Instruction, Dance, Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, Educational Policy Studies, Educational Psychology, Kinesiology, PE Activity, and Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education.

While one course may cover two requirements, students must still complete both the 40-credit total and the 9-credit minimum requirements in humanities, social studies and science. For example, Theatre 120, a literature course also on the fine arts list, may be used to meet both of the specific fine arts and literature requirements of the humanities area, but a total of 9 credits of humanities are still required.

Important notes regarding liberal studies course selection are provided at the end of this handout. Please read these to ensure that your course selections actually match your intentions.

Liberal Studies Requirements - 40 Credits

General Education Requirements

All new freshmen must complete a group of campuswide basic course requirements known as the General Education Requirements. This initiative is designed to provide all students with a comprehensive, well-rounded program of studies on the Madison campus. Each school or college implements these requirements slightly differently. The General Education requirements include communication and quantitative reasoning requirements as well as humanities/literature/arts, social studies, and natural science course work (included in the liberal studies requirements below).

Complete GER Communication Requirements Parts A and B

  • Comm A: Literacy proficiency. 2-3 credits of course work focusing on reading, listening, and speaking, with an emphasis on writing. Students meet this requirement by completing English 100, 118, Com Arts 100, EPD 155, or Fam Com 100/L Sc Com 100, or any other courses designated with an a in the Timetable. Students may be exempt from this requirement through placement scores.
  • Comm B: Enhancing literacy proficiency. 2-3 credits of course work for students who have completed or been exempt from Part A. Complete a course with the designation of a b in the Timetable. Other program requirements may also be used to meet this requirement. For example, Curric 305, 313, 368, and 369 meet Comm B. (Note that both Curric 368 and 369 must be completed to meet Comm B.) At least one of these courses is required in each of the teacher certification programs. Dance and Dance-BFA students are required to complete Theatre 200, a course that is also on the Comm B list of courses. Kines 521 and 600 are also on the Comm B list. Rehabilitation Psychology students are required to complete RP &SE 501, a course that is on the Comm B list of courses.

Complete GER Quantitative Reasoning Requirements Part A and B

  • Quant A: Mathematics or formal logic. 3 credits of mathematics or formal logic. Complete Math 112, 114, 130, 141, 171 or Philos 210; a Math course numbered above 114 (excluding 120-129, 131, and 132), or any other courses designated with a q in the Timetable. Students may be exempt from this requirement through placement scores. Other program requirements may also be used to meet this requirement. For instance, Elementary Education and Special Education students are required to complete Math 130, 131, and 132. Math 130 will meet Quant A of the general education requirements.
  • Quant B: Enhancing quantitative reasoning skills. Courses that satisfy this requirement will be available in a variety of fields of study, including mathematics, formal logic, statistics, computer science, the sciences, and social science. Courses are designated with an r in the Timetable. Other program requirements may also be used to meet this requirement. For instance, Elementary Education and Special Education students are required to complete Math 130, 131, and 132. Math 131 and 132  together will meet the Quant B requirement. Kinesiology students are required to complete a number of courses that are on the Quant B list.

Humanities - 9 credits

Complete a minimum of 9 credits to include 1, 2, and 3:

  1. Literature (minimum of 2 credits). Courses designated with an L in the Timetable.
  2. Fine Arts (minimum of 2 credits). Currently approved courses include:
    • Afro American Studies 156, 241, 242, 243, 308, 309, 310, 311, 315, 316, 320, 400, 403, 413, 540, 603, 643
    • Art--any course
    • Art Hist--any course
    • Com Arts 350
    • Dance--any course
    • English 203, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 506, 508
    • Music--any course
    • Music Perf--any course
    • Theatre--any course
    • Women St 410, 411, 412
  3. Other Humanities. Courses to reach the minimum of 9 credits. May include courses designated H, L, X, or Z, elementary and intermediate level foreign language courses, or approved Fine Arts courses. May also count Com Arts 105, 181, and any English department intermediate or advanced level creative writing or composition course toward this requirement (English 100-118 and other elementary level composition courses are excluded).

Social Studies - 9 credits

All students must complete a minimum of 9 credits. Select from courses designated S, W, Y, or Z. Teacher education and Kinesiology students have unique requirements in this category; see below:

  • Teacher education students must complete a “Local, State, and National Government” requirement by enrolling in one of the following courses as part of the 9 credits:
    • Poli Sci 104 Introduction to American Politics and Government, 4 (open to freshmen and sophomores only)
    • Poli Sci 205 Introduction to State Government, 4
    • Poli Sci 404 American Politics and Government, 4 (open to juniors and seniors).
  • Kinesiology-Athletic Training and Kinesiology-Exercise and Movement Science students must complete Psych 201, 202, or 281 as part of the 9 credits.

Science - 9 credits

Minimum of 9 credits to include 1 and 2. Must include one laboratory science course.

  1. Biological Science. Select from courses designated B or Y in the Timetable
  2. Physical Science. Select from courses designated P in the Timetable

Other biological, physical, or natural science (designated B, P, N, W, X, or Y in the Timetable) to reach the 9-credit minimum. Most lab sciences are identified as such in the Timetable.

Laboratory requirement. In addition to courses with labs indicated in the Timetable, the following courses include some lab experience and will meet the lab requirements for students in the School of Education: Astronomy 100, Atm Ocn 101, Botany 100, Botany/Plant Path 123, Geology 100, Physics 109. Suggested courses outside L&S that meet the lab science requirement include Agronomy 100, Food Science 235-236, Horticulture 120, Mechanical Engineering 160 and 210. An AP Biology score of 4 or 5 will also fulfill the lab science requirement.

Additional Requirements

These courses can also be used to meet any of the requirements above; however, a single course cannot satisfy more than one "Additional Requirement" below.

  • Ethnic Studies Requirement (minimum 3 credit course). Select from courses coded e in the Timetable.
  • United States or European History (minimum 3 credits). Select from the following list of approved courses; more courses will be added as they are reviewed. Confer with Education Academic Services staff regarding transfer elective course work that may meet the requirement.
    • U.S. History courses: 101, 102, 140, 150, 160, 161, 219, 221, 222, 247, 258, 290, 301, 302, 322, 330, 331, 343, 344, 353, 354, 355, 390, 391, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 411, 412, 416, 433, 434, 451, 460, 461, 462, 465, 466, 490, 504, 560, 569, 607, 625, 626, 628, 635, 636, 644, 672.
    • European History courses: 002, 110, 115, 119, 120, 121, 123, 124, 208, 215, 223, 224, 251, 253, 254, 303, 306, 307, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 316, 317, 318, 320, 321, 323, 325, 326, 333, 334, 339, 340, 348, 349, 351, 352, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 372, 373, 374, 409, 410, 415, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 423, 424, 425, 426, 429, 430, 431, 432, 437, 447, 467, 469, 473, 474, 475, 477, 478, 479, 507, 508, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 517, 518, 529, 531, 532, 539, 540, 541, 554, 561, 568, 570, 577, 578.
  • Global Perspectives (minimum 3 credits). Select from the following list of approved courses. Current list includes only courses numbered below 400; more courses will be added as they are reviewed. Confer with Education Academic Services staff regarding transfer elective course work that may meet the requirement.
    • African 120, 201, 210, 211, 230, 270, 277, 297, 300, 306, 370
    • AfroAmer 241, 243, 260, 262, 277, 297, 320, 330, 367, 377
    • AAE 344, 350, 373, 374
    • Agronomy 350, 377
    • Amer Ind 317
    • Anthro 104, 105, 106, 211, 260 , 277, 300, 314, 317, 318, 319, 321, 322, 326, 327, 329, 330, 333, 334, 335, 350, 365
    • Art Hist 203, 241, 307, 308, 354, 362, 370, 371, 372, 375, 377, 378, 379
    • Comp Lit 203, 341, 379
    • Dance 153, 165, 177, 277, 326, 353, 377
    • E A Stds 222, 300 (specific topic must be approved), 301 (specific topic must be approved)
    • E Asian 231, 235, 251, 253, 273, 277, 300, 336, 337, 338, 340, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 363, 364, 367, 371
    • Econ 365
    • Folklore 100,103, 210, 211, 270, 279, 326, 352, 353, 374
    • Geog 101, 139, 140, 244, 252, 260, 277, 309, 319, 339, 348, 355, 358
    • Hebr St 343, 346, 351, 356, 377, 378
    • History 103, 104, 105, 106, 138, 139, 142, 205, 225, 226, 241, 242, 243, 244, 252, 260, 265, 277, 278, 279, 297, 309, 319, 330, 332, 336, 337, 338, 341, 342, 371, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379
    • ILS 209
    • Inter-AG 350
    • lnter-LS 220, topic “Legacies of Colonialism in East Asia”
    • Intl Bus 200
    • Intl St 140, 374
    • Jewish 377, 378
    • LCA 100, 106, 140, 201, 203, 205, 235, 244, 251, 252, 265, 273, 274, 279, 300, 311, 312, 314, 355, 357, 361, 362, 364, 367, 370, 373, 374, 379
    • Littrans 211, 212, 214, 217, 226, 261, 262, 263, 264, 273, 301, 303, 304, 313, 368, 372, 373
    • Medieval 309
    • Music 103, 361, 377
    • Envir St 139, 309, 339, 344, 368
    • Nutr Sci 350
    • PE Activ 277
    • Poli Sci 106, 186, 201, 222, 231, 244, 252, 260, 261, 277, 297, 333, 339, 342, 346, 353, 362, 368, 379
    • Relig St 205, 217, 235, 251, 273, 274, 309, 340, 350 , 351, 352, 357, 363, 364, 367, 370, 377, 378, 379
    • Rur Soc 140, 260
    • Soc 140, 170, 225, 244, 252, 260, 277, 380
    • Spanish 260, 362
    • Theatre 277, 326, 351, 353
    • Women St 322, 325, 367

Liberal Studies Electives

As necessary to reach 40 total liberal studies credits.

Important Notes for the Liberal Studies Requirements

  • Courses that transfer to the Madison campus as departmental electives (e.g., Poli Sci X10) might meet specific liberal studies requirements. Consult an EAS advisor to discuss transfer electives that appear to meet specific course requirements at UW-Madison.
  • Courses taken to meet the general education requirements may also be applied toward other degree requirements, e.g., liberal studies, major, etc. See below for exceptions.
  • If completing the General Education Requirements:
    • All courses taken to meet Comm A or Quant A can be applied toward the liberal studies requirements.
    • All courses taken to meet Comm B or Quant B can be applied toward the liberal studies requirements, with two exceptions. Courses from School of Education departments and Math 131/132 can be taken to meet Comm B or Quant B, but the credits will not count toward liberal studies. For example, Kines 600 can be used to meet Comm B, but cannot be counted toward the total liberal studies credits

Guidelines for Specific Program Areas

  • All Teacher Education students–except those in Music Education or Art Education–may apply any appropriate course work from the major or minor toward the liberal studies requirements. Students in Music and Art Education are restricted in this overlap. For students in Music Education, no more than 6 credits of music history and no more than 4 Art and Dance credits may count towards the 40 total credits. Music History courses (e.g., Music 211, 212) may not be used to meet the U.S. or European History requirement. Art Education students may apply all of the aesthetics credits (usually 14) toward the liberal studies requirements.
  • Elementary Education, Secondary Social Studies, and Secondary Science students can use a science course or Social Studies course from the environmental education course list to meet both the liberal studies and environmental education requirements.
  • Art and Art-BFA. In general, students may not satisfy liberal studies requirements with courses meeting studio or aesthetics requirements. Students completing the B.S. degree in Art must complete a total of 40 liberal studies credits excluding studio and aesthetics courses, but will meet the Fine Arts requirement through this course work. Art-BFA candidates may apply a limited number of studio or aesthetics credits toward the Humanities credits. Consult Education Academic Services or your DARS report for details.
  • Kinesiology students will meet the Science requirement by completing their required science courses, e.g., Chemistry and Physics.
  • Communicative Disorders students should consult both this handout and the Communicative Disorders program requirements, particularly the "related courses" section, when selecting liberal studies course work.
  • Dance and Dance-BFA students must complete Anatomy 329, which will meet both a science requirement and the science laboratory requirement. In general, liberal studies requirements cannot be met with courses taken to meet other program requirements.
  • Rehabilitation Psychology. Students may not satisfy liberal studies requirements with courses taken to meet the Professional Education and Background requirements.
  • Individual Major. Students completing an Individual Major may have a specific requirement in the Social Studies or Science area.