The Illinois Transferable General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) is part of a transferable degree and is not a workforce certificate or industry credential. Completing the GECC (12 courses, 37-41 credits) helps students transfer smoothly to participating associate and bachelor’s degree programs.
Students may apply no more than two courses from any one discipline toward GECC requirements. Students pursuing an A.A.S. degree should follow the general education courses listed within their program.
The GECC is divided into five categories:
1. Communications
Communication involves expressing ideas clearly in both writing and speech. Because strong communication skills are essential for academic and professional success, students must complete ENGL 131, ENGL 132 (with a grade of C or better), and one oral communication course. These courses should be taken early in the student’s program.
2. Mathematics
General education mathematics emphasizes quantitative reasoning and the ability to apply mathematical methods to real-world problems. A quantitatively literate student should be able to:
- interpret mathematical models
- represent mathematical information in multiple formats
- apply algebraic, geometric, and statistical methods
- check and evaluate the reasonableness of solutions
- recognize the limitations of mathematical models
General education math courses focus on reasoning and problem-solving-not just computation. Students should complete at least one course that strengthens foundational quantitative literacy skills.
3. Physical and Life Sciences
Science education helps students understand scientific inquiry, learn essential scientific principles, and make informed personal and societal decisions. To achieve this purpose, students must complete a minimum of two courses (7-8 credit hours), to fulfill the GECC.
In order for students to understand the methods of scientific inquiry, including the development of the skills and disposition necessary to become independent inquirers about the natural world, at least one general education science course must include a laboratory component that meets a minimum of two hours per week.
In order for students to become familiar with selected scientific principles, at least one course must be selected from the life sciences and one course from the physical sciences.
4. Humanities and Fine Arts
These courses explore human experience-identity, culture, creativity, values, and expression-through literature, philosophy, religion, history, and the arts.
To fulfill the GECC requirement, students must complete three courses (9 credits), including at least one course from the humanities and one from the fine arts. Interdisciplinary courses may count toward either requirement. Skill-based courses (e.g., performance, production, introductory foreign language) typically do not count as GECC humanities or fine arts courses.
5. Social and Behavioral Sciences
These courses help students understand human behavior, society, cultures, and institutions. Students learn to analyze historical and contemporary issues, understand global interconnections, and develop critical thinking skills.
To meet GECC requirements, students must complete three courses (9 credits) from at least two different disciplines.
Assessment of General Education Learning Outcomes
Since fall 2000, the L&C faculty have embedded general education learning assessment in courses across the curriculum. These general education learning outcomes are identified and defined by the faculty as follows:
Communication - Writing: effective skill in writing by creating a thesis and organizing argument with support, as well as editing and revising for clarity and critical thinking.
Communication - Speaking: effective skill in recognizing and employing criteria in formal speech presentations, including both verbal and nonverbal techniques, to enhance delivery.
Critical Thinking: effective skill in articulating and evaluating arguments using both deductive and inductive reasoning, utilizing rudimentary principles of the scientific method, and applying theses skills to problem solving. Components include: reasoning (inferential discourse and scientific reasoning) and practical problem solving.
Mathematical Reasoning: effective skill in basic mathematical computation and comprehension of quantitative information, including application in a variety of situations. Components include: number sense, statistics, and applied math.
Teamwork Skills: effective skill in self-understanding as evidenced by such traits as self-control, personal integrity and responsibility, and skill in associating with others as evidenced by such traits as tolerance, empathy, and awareness of common goals. Components include: self-knowledge and knowledge of others.
Global Awareness: effective skill in identifying, appreciating, and describing the interdependencies and conflicts of the global community on national, regional, local and/or personal levels. Components include: similarities, connection, and differences.
The faculty purposefully include instruction in these skills within their discipline areas. General education learning assessment is a regular and on-going component of teaching and learning at L&C.
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