Brenau University and its faculty are dedicated to the goal of providing students with a thorough background in the liberal arts, as well as academic and professional skills which will help them become enlightened and productive members of society. To that end, the faculty have developed a liberal education curriculum divided into four learning portals: World Understanding, Scientific and Analytic Curiosity, Artistic and Creative Imagination, and Communication and Language Fluency. Specific Program Requirements and Learning Outcomes are defined under each of the four portals and are outlined below.
World Understanding Portal (9 hours)
By developing historical, global, and civic perspectives grounded in respect for the individual and in the principles and practice of social equity, students will gain an understanding of the world community and the importance of service to society.
Historical Perspective Requirement (3 hours) Demonstrate knowledge of major events and movements in history and use this knowledge to generate a more sophisticated understanding of current events.
HY 205W HY 206W
Civic Engagement Outcome (3 hours) Demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of civic engagement in a global society.
PH 222
Global Awareness Outcome (3 hours) Demonstrate an understanding of global issues and their implications for local communities.
CD 210 ED 265 FM 220 MM 260 OL 205
Scientific and Analytic Curiosity Portal (13-15 hours)
By developing quantitative reasoning skills, competency in scientific disciplines, and critical thinking skills, students will be able to solve problems effectively and apply their knowledge and skills to relevant civic and personal decisions.
Mathematics Requirement (3 hours) Demonstrate quantitative reasoning through numeric, symbolic, or geometric means.
MS 100 MS 101 MS 111 MS 210
Science Requirement (7-8 hours) Demonstrate competency in a specific curriculum and appraise the impact of that science in one’s life. (Students will take one 4-hour lab science and a second science of 3-4 hours.)
Reasoning Outcome (3-4 hours) Be able to think critically and solve problems effectively.
Artistic and Creative Imagination Portal (9 hours)
By gaining an understanding of the fine arts and literature and by focusing on the value of creating a lifetime of fitness and healthy habits, students will develop an appreciation for artistic expression, deepen their self-awareness, and expand their imaginative powers.
Fine Arts Outcome (3 hours) Understand artistic concepts and traditions through participating in or exposure to artistic endeavors.
ID 309 MC 216
Literature Outcome (3 hours) Analyze and respond to the ways that writers use language to represent the complexity of human experience.
EH 230 EH 231
Lifetime Fitness Requirement (3 hours)
Appreciate one’s health status and implement a plan for health and fitness. (Women’s College must take one hour of classroom physical education [p.e.] (HL), one hour of activity p.e. (DA/LF/LS) and one hour of either type. University students or Gainesville Day students have the option of taking HS 105 to satisfy the physical education requirement.)
DA 123
^^ Taken by Brenau University sports teams. Three hours of LF 199 completes the Liberal Education physical education requirement, without taking a HL course.
Communication and Language Fluency Portal (12-15 hours)
By developing writing and speaking skills in English and by being introduced to another modern language, students will be prepared to be effective communicators and to lead lives of personal and professional fulfillment.
Writing Requirement (6 hours) Compose effective and logical written communication.
Speaking Requirement (3 hours) Demonstrate effective oral communication.
Modern Language Requirement (0-3 hours) (Please see narrative below for additional information.) Communicate in a modern language other than English, and compare global culture(s) where that language is spoken to English-language-based U.S. culture. Students must have competency through the 102 level. Students may take through 102 or may attempt a placement exemption by competency exam (BYU FLATS test) or CLEP.
Communication Requirement (3 hours) Apply communication skills in a given context.
Choose any course within the portal not already applied. Students may choose a writing, speaking, or modern language course, or a course from the list provided below.
Modern Language Requirement
Brenau University’s Liberal Education (LE) Modern Language Requirements and Related Policies
All University students entering at the bachelor’s level must meet a Liberal Education Modern Language requirement by demonstrating at least the high beginner level of language competency at the 102 level. The following policies apply to this requirement:
PLACEMENT: Placement tests are available for limited languages through WebCAPE (Computer Adaptive Placement Exam). This is a “snapshot” placement test and can be taken for low cost online with results in approximately 20 minutes. Students may be placed into 101, 102, or 200-level language based on the results. If placed into 102 (or higher), students must take a language course to satisfy the requirement. Students are responsible for any fees incurred for this test. Go to the Placement Information Website.
PRINT your results and alert the Office Manager for the Department of Humanities to review your results.
Cut-off scores for Web CAPE are:
- Over 500, Students should consult with departmental faculty to identify appropriate course or additional testing options.
- 351 - 500, Permission to enroll at the 200 level or above.
- 251-350, Permission to enroll at the 102 level.
- 250 & below, Enrollment at the 101 Level *.
* Students concerned that the test does not reflect their knowledge of the language may request further evaluation by a faculty member who can evaluate listening, speaking and/or writing skills to determine if enrollment in a higher level course is advisable.
EXEMPTION: Exemption of the language requirement may be achieved by:
- Transfer of equivalent credit from an accredited university.
- CLEP. If the test is in a language taught at Brenau, credit will be awarded. For CLEP of other languages, exemption will be given without credit. (We cannot award credit if we do not teach the class at Brenau.) Please see a list of CLEP exams that Brenau accepts along with the required scores by clicking the CLEP/DSST Guide link located in the dashboard of this catalog. To register for a CLEP exam, visit the College Board website.
- Students entering with an A.A. or A.S. degree (as defined by the Brenau Registrar), or with a previous bachelor’s degree are exempt from any additional Liberal Education requirements per Brenau policy.
- BYU FLATS (Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service) - available in 50 languages; test must be proctored and takes about 2.5 hours. Students are responsible for any fees incurred for this test. Scores of 60% or above will provide exemption only. NO credit is awarded for FLATS tests. Go to the following URL to register for the test, which can be taken online, and select the Proctor 360 option: https://info.flats.byu.edu. When designating where the test report should be sent, list Brenau University, 500 Washington St. SE, Gainesville, GA. Email: registrar@brenau.edu
Heritage Speakers: “Heritage” speakers and others with advanced skills in a second language may NOT take 101; they should CLEP or seek placement or exemption through one of the methods described above.
International Students: International students accepted to Brenau with one of the following exempt the modern language requirement:
- ACT English score of 19
- SAT Verbal score of 450
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 500
- Test of English as a Modern Language (TOEFL) score of 497 on the paper-based test
- Test of English as a Modern Language (TOEFL) score of 170 on the computer-based test
- Test of English as a Modern Language (TOEFL) score of 59 on the internet-based test
- IELTS score of 5.5
- DuoLingo score of 85
Non-Native English Speakers: If a non-native English speaking student has earned any academic credit from a US-accredited institution, but has not submitted a TOEFL score, then s/he must take a WebCAPE exam or BYU FLAT test to demonstrate competency in their native language or a second language.
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