University Studies Program
A university education truly worth the name must do more than prepare students for a job or a career. It must broaden their understanding of the world, of themselves, of their role in society, and of the ideals and aspirations which have motivated human thought and action throughout the ages. It must help individuals use their acquired knowledge to grow in maturity as they take responsibility for their lives by establishing their own individual goals and developing the habit of lifelong learning.
The broad goals of the University of Kentucky's general education program, called University Studies, make for mature, open, flexible individuals who can adapt to changing situations, learn new skills, and meet unforeseen challenges in their careers. At the same time, University Studies will help students to develop their own sense of values, to pursue their own goals, and to contribute to the political, moral, social, and cultural enrichment of society.
The University Studies Program is separated into ten areas of study: math, foreign language, inference-logic, written communication, oral communication, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, cross-cultural, and electives.
Students are encouraged to work closely with their advisors in selecting courses that are appropriate for their own needs and aspirations.
NOTE: A course taken to satisfy a requirement in one area of University Studies cannot be used to satisfy a requirement in another, with the exception that one calculus course will satisfy both I. Math and III. Inference-Logic.
I. MATH
Upon completion of the math requirement, students will be able to: (1) demonstrate skills in use and interpretation of definitions, notations, and formulas that employ words and numbers to represent and solve problems; and (2) use and interpret principles of mathematical reasoning.
With the approval of your advisor, the math requirement may be fulfilled by completing one of the following:
- A score of 26 or above on the mathematics section of the ACT, a score of 540 or above on the mathematics section of the SAT, bypass examination, or
- MA 109 College Algebra, or
- MA 110 Analytic Geometry and Trigonometry, or
- MA 111 Introduction to Contemporary Mathematics, or
- any calculus course.
II. FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Upon completion of the foreign language requirement, students will be able to: (1) communicate orally in simple terms using the language; (2) read, write, and translate simple passages in the language; and (3) describe some ways in which language is reflected in the culture in which it is used and also ways in which culture is reflected in its language.
With the approval of your advisor, the foreign language requirement may be fulfilled by completing one of the following:
- Two years of a foreign language in secondary school as indicated on transcripts, or
- any two-semester sequence (at least six hours) in a single foreign language at the college level.
III. Inference-Logic (with Statistics or Calculus Options)
Upon completion of the inference-logic requirement, students will be able to: (1) draw reasonable inferences from data, observations, and logical premises; (2) evaluate the quality of an argument or solution; and (3) use principles of formal reasoning to solve problems.
With the approval of your advisor, the inference-logic requirement may be fulfilled by completing one of the following:
- Any calculus course, or
- STA 200 Statistics: A Force in Human Judgment (Prereq: MA 109), PLUS
- PHI 120 Introductory Logic, or PHI 320 Symbolic Logic I.
Note: Students must satisfy the math requirement before enrolling in STA 200.
IV. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Upon completion of the written communication requirement, students will be able to communicate ideas effectively through written work for various audiences.
To fulfill the University Studies Program written communication requirement, complete the First Year Writing Requirement (4 credit hours). Honors Program students satisfy the First Year Writing Requirement through that curriculum.
The University's writing requirement also has a second component -- the Graduation Writing requirement -- that is not part of the University Studies Program. See University Writing Requirement in the Academic Requirements section of this Bulletin for details.
First Year Writing Requirement
Complete one of the following:
- ENG 104 Writing: An Accelerated Foundational Course*
- Score of 32 or above on the English component of the ACT; score of 700 or above on SAT I Verbal; or score of 4 or 5 on the AP English Language Exam.
*Full-time students must enroll in ENG 104 in either the fall or spring semester of their first year. They may drop the course during the first year, but beginning in their third semester, students enrolled in ENG 104 are not allowed to drop the course, and will be required to register for the course each semester until they have completed the First Year Writing Requirement.
NOTE: Students who have earned credit for ENG 101 or equivalent, and students with a score of 3 on the AP English Language Exam may select either ENG 102 or ENG 104 (recommended) to complete the First Year Writing Requirement. UK no longer offers ENG 101 but will continue to offer ENG 102 as needed.
An Important Note About This Bulletin
At the time of publication, the new USP and University Writing Requirement had been approved; however, changes to the degree requirements have not been made. The degree requirements listed in the "College" sections in this Bulletin still list the old Writing Requirement (ENG 101/102). Students must follow the requirements listed above. If you have any questions about fulfilling the USP or University Writing Requirements, contact your advisor or college dean's office.
V. ORAL COMMUNICATION
Suspension of Oral Communication Requirement
Students who enroll at the University of Kentucky for the first time in Fall 2004 through Summer 2007 are not required to complete the Oral Communication Requirement. Students who enrolled for the first time prior to Fall 2004 must complete the Oral Communication Requirement.
This suspension applies only to University Studies Requirements. Many programs are required by their accreditation to have an oral communication component; students in these programs are still required to fulfill that component.
Because the suspension of the USP Oral Communication Requirement occurred shortly before this Bulletin went to press, the degree requirements in the "Colleges" section still list the USP Oral Communication Requirement. Check with your advisor or college dean's office for updated information.
Upon completion of the oral communication requirement, students will be able to effectively communicate ideas through oral communication for various audiences.
With the approval of your advisor, the oral communication requirement may be fulfilled by completing one of the following:
- one of the following courses:
- COM 181 Basic Public Speaking
- COM 252 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
- COM 281 Communication in Small Groups
- COM 287 Persuasive Speaking
- TA 225 Vocal Production for the Stage I
- bypass examination, or
- an alternate sequence in the student's major department*
*NOTE: Some colleges or departments have approved an alternate route for satisfying the oral communication requirement. Discuss with your advisor how you should select courses to complete this requirement.
VI. NATURAL SCIENCES (six hours)
Upon completion of the natural sciences requirement – for each course taken – students will be able to: (1) demonstrate knowledge of major theories and phenomena associated with a field or discipline of natural science; (2) demonstrate an understanding of scientific reasoning; and (3) identify the methods and practices of inquiry associated with theoretical advances in a natural science discipline.
With the approval of your advisor, the natural sciences requirement may be fulfilled by completing at least six hours from the following courses:
Biology
BIO 102 Human Ecology
BIO 103 Basic Ideas of Biology
BIO 150 Principles of Biology I
BIO 151 Principles of Biology Laboratory I
BIO 152 Principles of Biology II
BIO 153 Principles of Biology Laboratory II
BIO 300 General Entomology
ENT 110 Insect Biology
ENT 300 General Entomology
PLS 104 Plants, Soils, and People: A Global Perspective
Chemistry
CHE 101 Molecular Science for Citizens
CHE 104 Introductory General Chemistry
CHE 105 General College Chemistry I
CHE 106 Introduction to Inorganic, Organic and Biochemistry
CHE 107 General College Chemistry II
CHE 115 General Chemistry Laboratory
Geography
GEO 130 Earth's Physical Environment
Geology
GLY 110 Endangered Planet: An Introduction to Environmental Geology
GLY 120 Sustainable Planet: The Geology of Natural Resources
GLY 130 Dinosaurs and Disasters
GLY 150 Earthquakes and Volcanoes
GLY 160 Geology for Elementary Teachers
GLY 220 Principles of Physical Geology
GLY 223 Introduction to Geology in the Rocky Mountains
Physics and Astronomy
AST 191 The Solar System
AST 192 Stars, Galaxies and the Universe
PHY 151 Introduction to Physics
PHY 152 Introduction to Physics
PHY 211 General Physics
PHY 213 General Physics
PHY 231 General University Physics
PHY 232 General University Physics
PHY 241 General University Physics Laboratory
PHY 242 General University Physics Laboratory
Physics and Geology
PHY 160 Physics and Astronomy for Elementary Teachers
GLY 160 Geology for Elementary Teachers
VII. SOCIAL SCIENCES (two courses in separate disciplines)
Upon completion of the social sciences requirement -- for each course taken -- students will be able to: (1) demonstrate knowledge of major theories and phenomena associated with two fields or disciplines of social science; (2) demonstrate an understanding of scientific reasoning; and (3) identify the methods and practices of inquiry associated with theoretical advances in a social science discipline.
Students may fulfill the Social Sciences requirement by selecting two courses in separate disciplines from the following courses: Note that AEC 101 is in the Economics category and ACE 102 and WS 200 are in the Sociology category.
Anthropology
ANT 101 Introduction to Anthropology
ANT 241 Origins of Old World Civilization
ANT 242 Origins of New World Civilization
Communication
COM 101 Introduction to Communications
Economics
AEC 101 The Economics of Food and Agriculture
ECO 101 Contemporary Economic Issues
ECO 201 Principles of Economics I
Family Studies
FAM 252 Introduction to Family Science
FAM 253 Human Sexuality: Development, Behavior and Attitudes
Geography
GEO 152 Regional Geography of the World
GEO 172 Human Geography
GEO 210 Pollution, Hazards, and Environmental Management
GEO 222 Cities of the World
GEO 240 Geography and Gender
Political Science
PS 101 American Government
PS 235 World Politics
PS 271 Introduction to Political Behavior
Psychology
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology
Sociology
†SOC 101 Introductory Sociology
SOC 152 Modern Social Problems
SOC 235 Inequality in Society
SOC 260 Population, Resources and Change
SOC 335 Women and Men in Society
†ACE 102 The Dynamics of Rural Social Life
WS 200 Introduction to Women's Studies in the Social Sciences
†Students may not receive credit for both SOC 101 and ACE 102.
VIII. HUMANITIES (six hours)
Upon completion of the humanities requirement -- for each course taken -- students will be able to: (1) demonstrate knowledge of major developments in Western culture, particularly the interrelationships between historical, aesthetic, and literary perspectives; (2) explain how cultural, historical, and intellectual forces are represented in artistic and literary works from the past and present; and (3) identify the methods and practices of inquiry associated with theoretical advances in a humanities discipline.
With the approval of your advisor, the humanities requirement may be fulfilled by completing six hours from the following courses:
Architecture
ARC 212 History and Theory I: 15th - 17th Centuries
ARC 213 History and Theory II: 18th - 19th Centuries
Art
A-H 105 Ancient Through Medieval Art
A-H 106 Renaissance Through Modern Art
A-H 312 Studies in Greek Art (Subtitle required)
A-H 313 Studies in Roman Art (Subtitle required)
A-H 322 Byzantine Art
A-H 323 Studies in Western Medieval Art (Subtitle required)
A-H 334 Renaissance Art
A-H 335 Studies in Early Modern Art, 1500-1700 (Subtitle required)
A-H 340 European Art 1850-1900: Realism, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism
A-H 341 20th Century Modernism
A-H 342 Studies in American Art (Subtitle required)
Classics
CLA 100 Ancient Stories in Modern Films
CLA 135 Classical Mythology
CLA 210 The Art of Greece and Rome
CLA 261 Literary Masterpieces of Greece and Rome
English
ENG 230 Introduction to Literature: (Subtitle required)
ENG 231 Literature and Genre: (Subtitle required)
ENG 232 Literature and Place: (Subtitle required)
ENG 233 Literature and Identities: (Subtitle required)
ENG 234 Introduction to Women's Literature: (Subtitle required)
ENG 261 Survey of Western Literature from the Greeks Through the Renaissance
ENG 262 Survey of Western Literature from 1660 to the Present
ENG 270 The Old Testament as Literature
ENG 271 The New Testament as Literature
ENG 331 Survey of British Literature I
ENG 332 Survey of British Literature II
ENG 334 Survey of American Literature I
ENG 335 Survey of American Literature II
French
FR 261 Masterpieces of French Literature in Translation
FR 465G Topics in French Literature and Culture in Translation (Subtitle required)
German
GER 103 Fairy Tales in European Context
GER 263 The German Cultural Tradition I
GER 264 The German Cultural Tradition II
History
HIS 104 A History of Europe Through the Mid-Seventeenth Century
HIS 105 A History of Europe From the Mid-Seventeenth Century to the Present
HIS 106 Western Culture: Science and Technology I
HIS 107 Western Culture: Science and Technology II
HIS 108 History of the United States Through 1865
HIS 109 History of the United States Since 1865
HIS 202 History of the British People to the Restoration
HIS 203 History of the British People Since the Restoration
HIS 229 The Ancient Near East and Greece to the Death of Alexander the Great
HIS 230 The Hellenistic World and Rome to the Death of Constantine
HIS 370 Early Middle Ages
HIS 371 Later Middle Ages
HIS 385 History of Russia to 1825
HIS 386 History of Russia Since 1825
Honors
Honors students with a score of 29 or better on the English component of the ACT may satisfy both the University Writing requirement and the Humanities requirement by passing three colloquia. Those with less than 29 on the English component of the ACT may satisfy both requirements by passing four colloquia. Honors students who complete all four colloquia also satisfy the six-hour elective requirement (X. Electives, below). These students do not receive an extra six hours of credit, since credit is already applied toward the Humanities and the writing portions of University Studies.
HON 101 The Ancient World
HON 102 The Medieval and Renaissance World
HON 201 The Early Modern World
HON 202 The Contemporary World
Interior Design
ID 142 History and Theory of Interior Design
Music
MUS 100 Introduction to Music
MUS 201 Music in Western Culture to 1700
MUS 202 Music in Western Culture, 1700 - Present
MUS 206 American Music
MUS 220 Symphonic Music
MUS 221 Survey of Vocal Music: Opera, Art Song, Choral Music
MUS/AAS 300 History of Jazz
Philosophy
PHI 100 Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality
PHI 130 Introduction to Philosophy: Morality and Society
PHI 260 History of Philosophy I: From Greek Beginnings to the Middle Ages
PHI 270 History of Philosophy II: From the Renaissance to the Present Era
Russian and Eastern Studies
RAE 324 Jewish Thought and Culture I: From Ancient Israel to the Middle Ages
RAE 325 Jewish Thought and Culture II: From the Expulsion from Spain to the Present
RAE 380 Survey of Nineteenth-Century Russian Literature (in English)
RAE 390 Modern Russian Literature (in English)
Theatre
TA 380 History of Theatre I
TA 381 History of Theatre II
Women's Studies
WS 201 Introduction to Women's Studies in the Arts and Humanities
IX. CROSS-CULTURAL (one course)
Upon completion of the cross-cultural requirement, students will be able to: (1) describe some of the major developments in at least one non-Western culture; and (2) demonstrate an understanding of the impact of cultural differences on social interactions.
With the approval of your advisor, the cross-cultural requirement may be fulfilled by completing any one of the following courses:
A-H 307 Ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian Art
A-H 308 Studies in African Art (Subtitle required)
AAS 254 History of Sub-Saharan Africa
AAS 263 African and Caribbean Literature and Culture of French Expression in Translation (Subtitle required)
AAS 264 Major Black Writers
AAS 328 Geography of the Middle East and North Africa
AAS 336 Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa
AAS 417G Survey of Sub-Saharan Politics
AAS 431G Cultures and Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa
ANT 160 Cultural Diversity in the Modern World
ANT 221 Native People of North America
ANT 241 Origins of Old World Civilization
ANT 242 Origins of New World Civilization
ANT 320 Andean Civilization
ANT 321 Introduction to Japanese Culture, Meiji (1868) to Present
ANT 322 Aztec and Maya Civilization
ANT 323 Peoples of the Pacific Islands
ANT 324 Contemporary Latin American Cultures
ANT 327 Culture and Societies of India
ANT 431G Cultures and Societies of Sub-Saharan Africa
ENG 264 Major Black Writers
ENG 283 Japanese Film
EPE 555 Comparative Education
FAM 258 Child Development and Family Life in Japan and China
FR 263 African and Caribbean Literature and Culture of French Expression in Translation (Subtitle required)
GEO 160 Lands and Peoples of the Non-Western World
GEO 260 Third World Development
GEO 324 Geography of Central and South America and the Caribbean
GEO 328 Geography of the Middle East and North Africa
GEO 330 Geography of South Asia
GEO 332 Geography of Southeast Asia
GEO 333 Geography of East Asia
GEO 334 Environment, Society and Economy of Japan
GEO 336 Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa
HIS 206 History of Colonial Latin America, 1492-1810
HIS 207 History of Modern Latin America, 1810 to Present
HIS 247 History of Islam and Middle East Peoples, 500-1250 A.D.
HIS 248 History of Islam and Middle East Peoples, 1250 to the Present
HIS 254 History of Sub-Saharan Africa
HIS 295 East Asia to 1800
HIS 296 East Asia Since 1800
HIS 536 Intellectual and Cultural History of Russia to 1800
HIS 548 History of the Middle East: 1453-1920
HIS 549 History of the Middle East: 1952 to Present
HIS 561 The Intellectual and Cultural History of Latin America
HIS 562 Modern Mexico
HIS 593 East Asian History Since World War II
HIS 597 Westerners in East Asia, 1839 to the Present
HIS 598 China in Revolution, 1895-1976
JPN 283 Japanese Film
JPN 320 Introduction to Japanese Culture, Pre-Modern to 1868
JPN 321 Introduction to Japanese Culture, Meiji (1868) to Present
JPN 334 Environment, Society and Economy of Japan
LAS 201 Introduction to Latin America
MAT 247 Dress and Culture
MUS 330 Music of the World (subtitle required)
PHI 343 Asian Philosophy
PHI 504 Islamic and Jewish Philosophy and the Classical Tradition
PS 212 Culture and Politics in the Third World
PS 417G Survey of Sub-Saharan Politics
PS 420G Governments and Politics of South Asia
PS 428G Latin American Government and Politics
RAE 270 Introduction to Russian Culture
RAE 280 Introduction to Modern Russian Culture
RAE 328 Islamic Civilization I
RAE 330 Islamic Civilization II
RAE 370 Russian Folklore (in English)
SOC 380 Development of Non-Western Societies
SPA 314 Civilization of Spanish America
UK 301 Cross-Cultural Studies (Subtitle required)
X. ELECTIVES (six hours)
With the approval of the advisor, students must complete six hours of electives, three hours of which must be outside the student's major. Some colleges may have additional information on the selection of these electives, so contact your advisor for more information.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER WORK
UK participates in the General Education Transfer Agreement (GETA). Refer to the University Bulletin for information on GETA; or, visit the Council on Postsecondary Education web site at: www.cpe.state.ky.us/going2/going2_transfer_planning.asp.
The following courses from the Kentucky Community College and Technical System and Lexington Community College have been approved to apply toward completion of USP discipline requirements:
BIO 104 Animal Biology – VI. Natural Sciences
BIO 105 Animal Biology Laboratory – VI. Natural Sciences
BIO 106 Principles of Plant Biology – VI. Natural Sciences
BSL 110 Human Anatomy and Physiology I – VI. Natural Sciences
BSL 111 Human Anatomy and Physiology II – VI. Natural Sciences
CHM 105 General College Chemistry Laboratory I – VI. Natural Sciences
CHM 107 General College Chemistry Laboratory II – VI. Natural Sciences
GLY 101 Physical Geology – VI. Natural Sciences
GLY 102 Historical Geology – VI. Natural Sciences
GLY 111 Laboratory for Physical Geology – VI. Natural Sciences
HUM 135 Introduction to Native American Literature – IX. Cross Cultural
HUM 230 Twentieth Century Japanese Literature – IX. Cross Cultural (credit available only at Somerset Community College)
PY 110 General Psychology – VII. Social Sciences
RS/ANT 130 Introduction to Comparative Religion – IX. Cross Cultural