General Education

General education is an essential component of the SCAD undergraduate experience, developing students as critical thinkers by providing an intellectual foundation and breadth of knowledge for life-long learning.


The objective of the liberal arts

The goals of general education are to provide knowledge in fine arts and humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, and social and behavioral sciences; to develop and enhance fundamental academic skills; and to cultivate the intellectual and cultural growth of students. Aligned with these goals, the SCAD general education program focuses on developing six competencies, as outlined below.

General education classes are offered in Atlanta, Hong Kong, Savannah and online via eLearning.


  • Liberal Arts

    The heart of success

    In each undergraduate degree program, students are required to successfully complete a substantial general education component of at least 55 quarter hours, which is the equivalent of 36 semester hours. These courses are intended to provide a broad base of education upon which students may build. The curriculum also emphasizes communication and presentation skills through assignments involving writing, speaking, research, analysis and planning.

  • SCAD Atlanta third floor

    General education courses

    Specific requirements for general education courses are listed in each undergraduate program course of study. In addition to required courses, students should consult with their faculty adviser or staff adviser to select and register for the wide range of general education electives offered at SCAD and ensure that the courses meet the requirements of their program.



Aesthetic Interpretation
Students will be equipped to respond critically to artistic works and traditions from various societies.

1.1 Students will distinguish different forms of art.

1.2 Students will evaluate the aesthetic value embedded in literary texts or artworks.

ARTH 100
1.1, 1.2
ARTH 110
1.1, 1.2
ENGL 123
1.2
ANTH 101
1.2
Computer Literacy
Students will be literate in current, professional-standard technologies and technological applications.
2.1 Students will creatively and ethically use professional-standard software to create, design, manipulate and present information.

2.2 Students will use technological tools effectively to conduct research and communicate information.

CMPA 100
2.1, 2.2
CMPA 110
2.1, 2.2
COMM 105
2.2
ENGL 123
2.2
Critical Analysis
Students will employ a disciplined process to conceptualize, apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information as a guide to decision-making and action. Critical analysis is infused in other general education competencies.

3.1 Students will use different methods of inquiry to research and weigh evidence.

3.1.1 Students will gather, evaluate and organize information found in various sources to assemble and deliver ideas and arguments. See Written and Oral Communication and Computer Literacy.

3.1.2 Students will draw well-founded mathematical and scientific conclusions.  See Quantitative Reasoning.

3.2 Students will interpret, evaluate and use various sources of information to solve complex problems with creative solutions.

3.2.1 Students will examine, compare and contrast literary texts and artworks from different cultures and eras to interpret their cultural and historical relevance. See Aesthetic Interpretation and Multicultural/Historical Perspectives.

3.2.2 Students will comprehend and draw appropriate inferences from data assembled in a variety of forms, e.g., graphs, charts, tables, qualitative data, etc. See Quantitative Reasoning.

ARTH 100
3.1.1, 3.2.1
ARTH 110
3.1.1, 3.2.1
COMM 105
3.1.1
ENGL 123
3.1.1
ASTR 101
3.1.2, 3.2.2
BIOL 100
3.1.2, 3.2.2
MATH 100
3.1.2, 3.2.2
MATH 101
3.1.2, 3.2.2
PHSC 101
3.1.2, 3.2.2
PHYS 201
3.1.2, 3.2.2
ANTH 101
3.1.1, 3.2.1
BUSI 250
3.1.2, 3.2.2
COMM 205
3.1.1, 3.2.1
POLS 100
3.1.1, 3.2.1, 3.2.2
POLS 110
3.1.1, 3.2.1, 3.2.2
PSYC 101
3.1.1, 3.2.2
PSYC 126
3.1.1, 3.2.2
PSYC 260
3.1.1, 3.2.2
PSYC 280
3.1.1, 3.2.2
Multicultural/Historical Perspectives
Students will examine beliefs and ideologies from cultures and eras that may be different from their own.

4.1 Students will recognize the social, political and cultural differences inherent in a global society.

4.2 Students will recognize the context (e.g., historical, social, ethnic, economic, geographic) in which a work of art is created, particularly how art may be linked to an artist and his or her culture.

ARTH 100
4.1, 4.2
ARTH 110
4.1, 4.2
BIOL 100
4.1
ANTH 101
4.1
COMM 205
4.1
POLS 100
4.1
POLS 110
4.1
PSYC 101
4.1
PSYC 126
4.1
PSYC 260
4.1
PSYC 280
4.1
Quantitative Reasoning
Students will acquire an understanding of the concepts and logic underlying mathematical thinking.

5.1 Students will correctly use mathematical language, concepts, operations and symbols.

5.2 Students will apply quantitative information and procedures to situational contexts.

MATH 100
5.1, 5.2
MATH 101
5.1, 5.2
PHSC 101
5.1
PHYS 201
5.1, 5.2
BUSI 250
5.2
Written and Oral Communication
Students will use written and spoken English effectively and with critical discernment.

6.1 Students will use the English language to gain and share knowledge in a coherent manner.

6.2 Students will communicate effectively in a variety of settings.

6.3 Students will properly document sources with academic honesty.

6.4 Students will convey information in a way that demonstrates their proficiency in articulation, nonverbal behavior and use of relevant visual aids that reinforce their ideas and promote clarity and interest.

ARTH 100
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4
ARTH 110
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4
COMM 105
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4
ENGL 123
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4
ANAT 100
6.1, 6.2, 6.3
ASTR 101
6.1, 6.2, 6.3
BIOL 100
6.1, 6.2, 6.3
ANTH 101
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4
BUSI 250
6.1, 6.2, 6.3
COMM 205
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4
POLS 100
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4
POLS 110
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4
PSYC 101
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4
PSYC 126
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4
PSYC 260
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4
PSYC 280
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4

Events
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Odili Donald Odita exhibition:
Odili Donald Odita exhibition: "Heaven's Gate" Dec 27, 2012
 
Candice Breitz exhibition:
Candice Breitz exhibition: "Queen (A Portrait of Madonna)" Mar 05, 2013
 
Recognition
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  • Todd Nemanic presents at two conferences
  • Zhang presents at Women Writers Conference
  • Nicol Auguste delivers two talks