Academic Catalog

University Studies

University Studies

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General Education

General Education is a core part of the UW-Superior educational tradition that strengthens students' academic abilities across the humanities, the arts, mathematics, wellness, and the natural and social sciences, giving them the necessary tools to succeed beyond college. The skills and learning outcomes General Education Program helps students develop digital, cultural, organizational, scientific, and civic literacy; creative, critical, ethical, and entrepreneurial thinking; facility with communication, interaction, negotiation, and empathy; leadership skills; and the ability to be self-aware, adaptable, and accountable. After completing General Education courses, students are ready to meet the challenges of our contemporary world.

The structure of the 36-credit program requires students to complete courses within six categories: Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning, Communication and Literacy, Social and Behavioral Science, Humanities and Arts, Natural Science and Wellness, and Civics and Perspectives. Within each category, there are numerous course offerings to support students' academic careers.

Description of University Studies Core Categories

Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning

Develops the skills necessary for analytical and quantitative problem-solving in all subjects, using central concepts and methods from mathematics and computer science, including number systems, symbolic representation, formal languages, mathematical modeling, and logical reasoning.

Learning Outcomes: 

2A: Articulate important questions, theories, and creative processes

2B: Analyze information or data to produce thoughtful judgments and qualified conclusions

Communication and Literacy

Communication: Helps students develop essential interpersonal communication, group communication, and public speaking competencies through practice, analysis, and critical exploration of diverse human interactions.

Learning Outcomes:

1A: Demonstrate understanding of the context, purpose, and audience for communication

4B: Collaborate constructively by building upon or synthesizing contributions of others, treating others respectfully, and being accountable for their part

Literacy: Improves students' abilities to read critically and write analytically and clearly; develops their rhetorical skills; enables them to see research as a means of discovering ideas, information, and evidence and to conduct various types of research; helps them learn to properly acknowledge, cite, and document sources; helps them learn to recognize various persuasive appeals in the arguments of others and to incorporate appropriate, reasoned appeals into their own arguments.

Learning Outcomes:

1A: Demonstrate understanding of the context, purpose, and audience for communication (WRIT 207 Writing for the Workplace)

1B: Execute a range of conventions particular to a specific discipline and/or communication task (WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing)

Social and Behavioral Science

Enables students to examine human behavior, interactions, and history to understand human society and social relationships.

Learning Outcomes:

1C: Communication: Express themselves clearly to achieve a purpose

3B: Engage in an exchange of ideas integrating diverse perspectives civilly

Humanities and Arts

Humanities: Promotes analysis of various types of literacy and linguistic expression; explores different traditions and modes of telling stories; and encourages students to make connections across all areas of knowledge, different modes of communication, and diverse cultural, linguistic, adn conceptual traditions.

Learning Outcomes:

1A: Demonstrate understanding of the context, purpose, and audience for communication

2A: Articulate important questions, theories, and creative processes

Arts: Helps students analyze, evaluate, and relate to artists, creative artifacts, and artistic productions of diverse culture from ancient times to the present or gives students practical experience in developing their own creativity in one or more genres of expression and develops creative communication skills.

Learning Outcomes:

2A: Articulate important questions, theories, and creative processes

Natural Science and Wellness

Natural Science: Enables students to understand the nature of science and scientific inquiry through hands-on experiences.

Learning Outcomes:

2A: Articulate important questions, theories, and creative processes

2B: Analyze information or data to produce thoughtful judgments and qualified conclusions

Wellness: Provides students with a knowledge base, creating a positive attitude and lifelong skills concerning the seven dimensions of wellness: physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, career, social, and environmental (personal health).

Learning Outcomes:

2C: Analyze own and others' assumptions and biases associated with information, processes, practices, and viewpoints

Total Required - 7 Credits, 2 courses, one Lab and one Wellness Course

Civics and Perspectives

Civics: Provides students with an understanding the rights and responsibilities of citizens and the structure of governments.

Learning Outcome:

3B: Engage in an exchange of ideas integrating diverse perspectives civilly.

Perspectives: Broadens students' horizons through exposure to varied perspectives from different global regions, cultures, and/or disciplines.

Learning Outcome:

4A: Demonstrate understanding of more than one worldview and an ability to act in a supportive manner that recognizes the experiences of others

Total Required - 6 Credits, 2 courses, one in Civics and one in Perspectives with different prefixes

General Education Requirements

All students entering UW-Superior as freshmen must complete all General Education Requirements prior to graduation. HHP 102 Foundations for Wellness and Success is designated as a first-year experience course, so it should be taken within the first 30 credits, as it introduces and integrates students into UW-Superior. Students with medical restrictions should contact the coordinator of HHP 102 Foundations for Wellness and Success before the first lab session. All Health and Human Performance department majors and minors must earn a grade of C or better in HHP 102 Foundations for Wellness and Success.

WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic WritingWRIT 207 Writing for the WorkplaceCOMM 110 Introduction to Communication, and the choice of MATH or CSCI course should be taken within the first 60 credits, as they strengthen core skills in reading, writing, public speaking, problem solving, analytical, and interpersonal skills.

Literacy Course Placement

Placement into WRIT 099 Fundamentals of Writing. This course prepares students for the challenge of reading and writing at the college level. This course must be taken within 30 credits.

Students must co-enroll in WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing. Transfer students, see Transfer Student Policy below.

Placement into WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing. Upon placement, this course should be taken in the freshman year, fall or spring. The course must be taken within 30 credits. Students must pass this course with a C- or better to continue on to WRIT 207 Writing for the Workplace or else be repeated until a C- is earned. Transfer students, see Transfer Student Policy below.

Credit for Prior Learning

Writing: Students who earn a sufficient score on the WEPT are exempt from WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing.

Students with an AP Lang/Comp or AP Lit/Comp score of 3 or higher earn 3 credits for WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing. Students with both AP Lang/Comp and AP Lit/Comp scores of 3 or higher receive 6 credits and fulfill both WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing and WRIT 207 Writing for the Workplace. Upon request, a student's AP Lit/Comp score of 3 or higher can be considered appropriate for 100 or 200-level literature course credit instead of writing course credit (but not both), pending approval by the Writing, Language, and Literature Department.

Students who earn a 50 or higher on the CLEP College Composition exam earn 3 credits for WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing

Placement into WRIT 207 Writing for the Workplace: With the completion of WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing with a C- or better, this course should be taken in the sophomore year, fall or spring. The course should be taken within 60 credits. Students must pass this course with a C- or better to complete the literacy courses. Transfer students, see Transfer Student Policy below.

Transfer Student Policy for Core Writing Placement: Students who arrive at UW-Superior with 3 credits of 100-level college writing completed at a C- or higher have satisfied the requirements for WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing

Students who arrive with 5 credits of 100- or 200-level college composition completed at a C- or higher have satisfied the requirements for both WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing and WRIT 207 Writing for the Workplace.

Some majors may still require WRIT 207 Writing for the Workplace or WRIT 209 Introduction to Professional Writing if a Professional Writing course has not been completed.

Mathematics and Computer Science Placement

MATH 112 Introduction to Contemporary MathematicsMATH 130 Elementary StatisticsCSCI 101 Introduction to Computer Science are recommended for all students. For students with appropriate preparation, MATH 113 Algebra with ApplicationsMATH 115 PrecalculusMATH 151 Calculus for Business, Life, and Social Sciences, and MATH 240 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I are also recommended. Students are encouraged to work with an advisor to select a course appropriate to their level of mathematical preparation, interests, and major field of study.

All students entering UW-Superior are required to take the Wisconsin Math Placement Test. Test results are used to determine which Mathematics and Computer Science courses students are eligible to take at that time. Students with insufficient preparation may become eligible to take more advanced Mathematics and Computer Science courses by completing one or more lower-level courses as indicated by the Math Placement Test results. Students placing into developmental level math (below 100-level) are expected to complete the developmental coursework before earning 30 credits.

Learning Goals for the University Studies Program

University Studies Requirements for 2024-2026.

The Learning outcomes of the University Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin-Superior are:

Communication

  1. Students will apply modes, styles, and conventions of communication appropriate to the students' work and their audience.
  2. Students will identify the essential components of a work/presentation and describe their relationship to each other and to the broader context.
  3. Students will clearly express themselves to achieve a purpose.
  4. Students will civilly engage in an exchange of ideas integrating diverse perspectives.

Individual and Social Responsibility

  1. Students will engage in thoughtful analysis that fosters well-being and holistic self-development.
  2. Students will articulate their roles and responsibilities in a global community.
  3. Students will practice healthy interdependence and mutual respect for others through teamwork.
  4. Students will demonstrate informed civic engagement, including intercultural competence as a dimension of the experience.
  5. Students will apply ethical reasoning in the academic and community learning experiences.

Creative and Critical Thinking

  1. Students will articulate important questions, theories, and creative processes.
  2. Students will analyze information to answer specific questions.
  3. Students will evaluate assumptions and biases associated with a project, practice, or process.
  4. Students will consider multiple, diverse, and global perspectives to answer important questions or produce original work.
  5. Students will use evidence to reach and present innovative conclusions or produce original work.

Description of University Studies Core Categories

Academic and Professional Writing

(WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing and WRIT 209 Introduction to Professional Writing)

Critical reading, research, and academic writing arguments. Emphasis on information literacy, elements of persuasion, documentation and citation. Writing in a range of genres related to the rhetorical situations, audiences, technologies, and multicultural environments of the 21st century workplace. Emphasis on liberal arts career skills. Students must pass with a C- or better to complete the core writing sequence.

Communicating Arts

(COMM 110 Introduction to Communication)

Helps students develop essential interpersonal communication, group communication, and public speaking competencies through practice, analysis, and critical exploration of diverse human interactions.

Mathematics and Computer Science

(MATH & CSCI)

Develops the skills necessary for analytical and quantitative problem-solving in all subjects, using central concepts and methods from mathematics and computer science, including number systems, symbolic representation, formal languages, mathematical modeling, and logical reasoning.

Health and Human Performance

(HHP 102 Foundations for Wellness and Success)

HHP 102 will supply foundational knowledge, understanding of critical thinking, and resources pertinent to academic and social success at UWS. Students will participate in group activities that enhance belonging and community.  Students will learn content in areas, including emotional, social, mental, spiritual, physical, environmental, and occupational health and wellness.

Description of University Studies Knowledge Categories

Humanities

History

Enables students to recognize that reasoned interpretations of the human past must be consistent with verifiable historical evidence and are, nonetheless, contested as they are reshaped to serve the concerns of the present; and empowers students to create personal meaning by developing their own reasoned interpretations of the human past.

Literature

Instills the joy of reading literature; stimulates the power of the imagination; promotes the analysis of various types of literary expression; and explores different traditions and modes of telling stories.

World Language, Culture, and Philosophy

Encourages students to make connections across all areas of knowledge, different modes of communication, and diverse cultural, linguistic, and conceptual traditions; and encourages students to develop empathy and understanding for other cultural, linguistic, and conceptual traditions.

Social Sciences

Enables students to examine human behavior or interaction using the methods and assumptions of social science research.

Natural and Physical Science

Environmental Course

Enables students to understand our natural environment and the effects of human interactions on it.

Lab Course

Enables students to understand the nature of science and scientific inquiry through hands-on experiences.

Fine and Applied Arts

Fine Arts History, Criticism, and Appreciation

Helps students to analyze, evaluate, and relate artists, creative artifacts, and artistic productions of diverse cultures from ancient times to the present.

Aesthetic Experience

Gives students practical experience in developing their own creativity in one or more genres of expression, and augments appreciation for the diversity of creative communication.

Description of University Studies Diversity & Global Awareness Categories

Diversity Requirement

Promotes understanding of issues arising from diversities such as racial, ethnic, linguistic, class, religious, rural/urban/suburban, gender, sexual orientation, abilities, and national origin.

Global Awareness Requirement

Broadens students' horizons through exposure to perspectives from traditionally lesser studied regions and cultures (i.e., non-Eurocentric), and 2) Encourages students to see social, economic, cultural, and/or political connections among world regions.

University Studies Requirements

All students entering UW-Superior as freshmen must complete the Core University Studies Requirements of WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing and WRIT 209 Introduction to Professional Writing, COMM 110 Introduction to Communication, HHP 102 Foundations for Wellness and Success and their choice of MATH or CSCI among their first 60 credits. Failure to complete these courses by that time will result in a hold being placed on an ensuing registration that does not contain the missing course(s), which may not then be dropped. Students will only be able to register through the Registrar's Office and enrollment in the missing course(s) must be included.

Core Requirements

University Studies requirements, especially the core courses, should be taken early. Core courses strengthen reading, writing, public speaking, problem solving, analytical, and interpersonal skills. Core courses (WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing and WRIT 209 Introduction to Professional Writing, COMM 110 Introduction to Communication, HHP 102 Foundations for Wellness and Success, and the MATH or CSCI course) cannot be applied or substituted for any major or minor requirement.

All core courses should be taken in the freshman and sophomore semesters: WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing and WRIT 209 Introduction to Professional Writing taken sequentially in the first and second year; COMM 110 Introduction to Communication in the first year, MATH or CSCI started during the first year; HHP 102 Foundations for Wellness and Success in the first semester.

WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing and WRIT 209 Introduction to Professional Writing (each 3 credits)  Core Writing Course Placement

Placement into WRIT 099 Fundamentals of Writing . This course prepares students for the challenge of reading and writing at the college level. This course must be taken within 30 credits. Students must co-enroll in WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing.  Transfer students, see Transfer Student Policy below.

Placement into WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing . Upon placement, this course should be taken in the freshman year, fall or spring. The course must be taken within 30 credits. Students must pass this course with a C- or better to continue on to WRIT 209 Introduction to Professional Writing or else be repeated until a C- is earned. Transfer students, see Transfer Student Policy below.

Credit for Prior Learning in WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing : Students who earn a sufficient score on the WEPT are exempt from WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing

Students with an AP Lang/Comp or AP Lit/Comp score of 3 or higher earn 3 credits for WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing. Students who earn 50 or higher on the CLEP College Composition exam earn 3 credits for WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing

Placement into WRIT 209 Introduction to Professional Writing. With the completion of WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing with a C- or better, this course should be taken in the sophomore year, fall or spring. The course must be taken within 60 credits. Students must pass this course with a C- or better to complete the Core Writing Courses. Transfer students, see Transfer Student Policy below.

Transfer Student Policy for Core Writing Placement: Students who arrive at UW-Superior with 3 credits of 100-level college writing completed at a C- or higher have satisfied the requirements for WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing

Students who arrive with 6 credits of 100- or 200- level college composition completed at a C- or higher have satisfied the requirements for both WRIT 102 Introduction to Academic Writing and WRIT 209 Introduction to Professional Writing.

Some majors may still require WRIT 209 Introduction to Professional Writing if a Professional Writing course has not been completed.

Communicating Arts 110 (3 credits)

No student may take COMM 110 Introduction to Communication on a Pass-Fail basis.

Mathematics and Computer Science (3 credits)

Students must choose a minimum of three credits in MATH and/or CSCI courses from among these courses:

MATH 112Introduction to Contemporary Mathematics3.00
MATH 113Algebra with Applications3.00
MATH 115Precalculus5.00
MATH 130Elementary Statistics4.00
MATH 151Calculus for Business, Life, and Social Sciences3.00
MATH 240Calculus and Analytic Geometry I4.00
CSCI 101Introduction to Computer Science3.00

MATH 112 Introduction to Contemporary Mathematics, MATH 130 Elementary Statistics and CSCI 101 Introduction to Computer Science are recommended. For students with appropriate preparation, MATH 113 Algebra with Applications, MATH 115 Precalculus, MATH 151 Calculus for Business, Life, and Social Sciences, and MATH 240 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I are also recommended. Students are encouraged to work with a faculty advisor to select a course appropriate to their level of mathematical preparation, interests, and major field of study.

All students entering UW-Superior are required to take the Wisconsin Math Placement Test. Test results are used to determine which Mathematics and Computer Science courses students are eligible to take at that time. Students with insufficient preparation may become eligible to take more advanced Mathematics and Computer Science courses by completing one or more lower-level courses as indicated by the Math Placement Test results.  Students placing into developmental level math (below 100-level) are expected to complete the developmental coursework before earning 30 credits.

Health and Human Performance 102 (3 credits)

All students must successfully complete HHP 102 Foundations for Wellness and Success Health and Wellness or FYS 100 First-Year Seminar-Health Promotion/Human Performance. Students with medical restrictions should contact the coordinator of HHP 102 Foundations for Wellness and Success before the first lab session. All Health and Human Performance department majors and minors must earn a grade of C or better in HHP 102 Foundations for Wellness and Success.

Knowledge Categories

The University Studies courses listed in the Knowledge Categories expose students to a broad array of concepts, perspectives and methodologies. They all integrate skills from the core courses into their content and require active engagement.

No more than six credits from any one program bearing the same prefix may be applied toward Knowledge Category requirements.

The credits given are the minimum for each category.

Humanities
History
Select one of the following:3.00
The History of Human Origins 2
Modern World History 2
HIST 112
Soccer and identity: A Global History 1
Conquest and Resistance in Modern Asia 2
HIST 125
2
Modern Europe 1789 to Present
History of the United States Through 1877
The United States Since 1877
American Indian History I
Literature
American Indian History II
The Making of the Modern Global System 2
Select one of the following:3.00
Multi-Ethnic American Literature 1
Literature by Women 1
World Literature I 2
World Literature II 2
British Literature I
British Literature II
Nonfiction Literature and Literacy
American Literature I
American Literature II
First-Year Seminar-Humanities Literature
American Indian Literature
World Language, Culture, and Philosophy
Select one of the following:3.00
African-American Voices 1
Beginning Ojibwe Language
American Indian Art and Culture
Music and World Culture 1,2
Any foreign language course will meet the Humanities Elective requirement if it is a language proficiency (rather than culture) course and at minimum three credits.3.00
Social Sciences
Select two of the following (must include two different prefixes):6.00
The Human Experience 1
Food, Culture and Society
Language, Power, and Identity 1
Survey of Criminal Justice
Economics in Society
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Macroeconomics
World Regional Geography 1
Cultural Geography 1
GST 150
1
Sociology of Gender 1
Personal Finance
Introduction to Mindfulness
First-Year Seminar-Social Sciences
Northern Ireland Study Abroad
Bosnia Study Abroad
Transitions: From Military to Campus Culture
Tribal Sovereignty
Contemporary Issues in American Indian Society
Law and Human Behavior
Contemporary Issues in Law and Society
Introduction to Political Science: What is Democracy? 2
Introduction to Comparative Politics
Public Education Politics and Policy
U.S. National, State and Local Government
Bioterrorism: A Case in Public Policy Making
Contemporary Issues in American Politics
Introduction to Psychology
Social Cognition
Introduction to Sociology
Global Social Problems
Race and Ethnicity 1
Introduction To Social Work
Natural and Physical Science
Select one environmental course and one lab course: 36.00
Environmental Courses
Biological Inquiry for Teachers
Our Chemical Environment
Environmental Science
Our Water Resources
Lab Courses
Human Biology
Concepts In Biology
Principles of Biology I
Chemistry of Everyday Phenomena
General Chemistry I
The Dynamic Earth
Our Water Resources
Astronomy
Light and Sound - Physics in the Arts
Algebra-Based Physics I
Physical Science
Calculus-Based Physics I
Fine and Applied Arts
Select 6 credits of the following:6.00
Art History, Criticism, and Appreciation
Introduction to Art
Art History Survey:The Ancient World to the Renaissance
Art History Survey:Renaissance to Modern Art
Film and Culture
Aesthetic Experience
Acting Fundamentals
Introduction to Technical Theatre
Oral Interpretation
Social and Square Dance
UWS Singers
Percussion Ensemble
Jazz Combo
Chorale
Jazz Band
Symphonic Band
Chamber Ensemble
University Orchestra
Chamber Winds
Global Percussion Ensemble
Music Appreciation
MUSI 162
Jazz Appreciation 1
Introduction to Creative Writing
Diversity and Global Awareness Requirement - Co-requisites 4
Diversity Courses 5
Select one of the following:3.00
Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective
Investigating Cultures
Global History of Indigenous Peoples
Language, Power, and Identity
Art in Non-West Societies
African and African Diaspora Art History
Gender, Crime, and Justice
Intercultural Communication in Global, Business, and Social Contexts
Comparative Economic Systems
Multi-Ethnic American Literature
Literature by Women
Multi-Ethnic American Novels
First-Year Seminar-Social Sciences, Diversity
American Indian Art and Culture
INDG 130
Tribal Sovereignty
American Indian History I
American Indian History II
American Indian Literature
Working with American Indian Families
Applied Research
World Regional Geography
Cultural Geography
GST 150
Sociology of Gender
Gender, Psychology and Society
Psychology of Men and Masculinity
The Construction of Gender in the United States
Women and Politics
Women, Colonialism, and Nationalism in Modern Southeast Asia
African-American Voices
Modern India: From Gandhi to Slumdog Millionaire
Race, Ethnicity, and Justice
Music and World Culture
Jazz Appreciation
Culture and Identity
Race and Ethnicity
Voices of Hispanic Women
Latino Culture in the U.S.
Multicultural Education
Global Awareness Courses 6
Select one of the following:3.00
The Human Experience
The History of Human Origins
Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective
Global History of Indigenous Peoples
Cultures of Mesoamerica
Art in Non-West Societies
African and African Diaspora Art History
International Economics
Development Economics
Comparative Economic Systems
World Literature I
World Literature II
World Regional Geography
Cultural Geography
Modern World History
Soccer and identity: A Global History
Conquest and Resistance in Modern Asia
HIST 125
Samurai: A History of Japan
Interrogating the Vietnam War: A History of Modern Vietnam (1885-1975)
Music and World Culture
Introduction to Political Science: What is Democracy?
Introduction to Comparative Politics
The Making of the Modern Global System
Theories of Human Rights
Global Social Problems
Latin American Culture and Civilization
Total Hours36.00
1

Meets Diversity requirement

2

Meets Global Awareness requirement

3

GEOL 120 Our Water Resources may be used to satisfy either the environmental or lab sciences requirement, not both.

4

Students must choose separate diversity and global awareness courses.

5

Undergraduate coursework must include a minimum of three credits with a focus on issues of diversity. Courses within the Knowledge Categories that also satisfy this requirement are indicated with "D." 

6

Undergraduate coursework must include a minimum of three credits with a focus on global awareness issues. Courses within the Knowledge Categories that also satisfy this requirement are indicated with "GA."