The policies below apply to all GE/breadth catalog years from Fall 2018 and later.
Students should complete this area of the GE requirements (along with GE Subarea B4) during their freshman year. Students must one course (minimum 3 semester units) from each GE Subarea: A1, A2, and A3.
Students taking courses in fulfillment of GE Subareas A1 and A2 will develop knowledge and understanding of the form, content, context, and effectiveness of communication. Students will develop proficiency in oral and written communication in English, examining communication from the rhetorical perspective and practicing reasoning and advocacy, organization, and accuracy. Students will enhance their skills in the discovery, critical evaluation, and reporting of information, as well as reading, writing, and listening effectively.
A1. Oral Communication (3 semester units)
Subarea A1 courses emphasize communication theory and provide several speaking and listening experiences in multiple modes, e.g., small-group discussion, interpersonal communication, and persuasive discourse presented extemporaneously. Upon completion of the A1 requirement, students will be able to:
- speak effectively when making oral presentations in English;
- explain the principles of effective oral communication, including form, content, context, and style;
- advocate for a cause or idea, presenting facts and arguments in an organized and accurate manner; and
- critically evaluate oral presentations.
The A1 course must be passed with a C- (CR) or better to satisfy GE Subarea A1. Any approved A1 course with an In Progress Grade (i.e., I, RP, or RD) will not be counted in Subarea A1 until a passing final course grade is posted. As appropriate, American Sign Language may be substituted for oral communication.
Courses approved for Subarea A1 are listed here: GE Area A1 Courses
A2. Written Communication (3 semester units)
Subarea A2 courses emphasize the rhetorical principles that govern reading and writing. These principles are fundamental to logical thinking and clear expression. For reading, they presume open-mindedness combined with critical thinking and analytical skills. For writing, they presume an awareness of audience, context, and purpose. Upon completion of the A2 requirement, students will be able to:
- Explain and demonstrate the principles and rhetorical perspectives of effective writing in English, including its form, content, and style;
- Advocate for a cause or idea, presenting facts and arguments in an organized and accurate manner; and
- Practice the discovery, critical evaluation, and reporting of information.
The A2 course must be passed with a C- (CR) or better to satisfy GE Subarea A2. Any approved A2 course with an In Progress Grade (i.e., I, RP, or RD) will not be counted in Subarea A2 until a passing final course grade is posted.
Courses approved for Subarea A2 are listed here: GE Area A2 Courses
A3. Critical Thinking (3 semester units)
In Subarea A3 courses emphasize the development of clarity and rigor in reasoning and its presentation, and the ability to understand, represent, and evaluate the presentations of reasoning made by others. Upon completion of the A3 requirement, students will be able to:
- Identify, analyze, and evaluate arguments;
- Logically construct arguments to support and refute claims using evidence;
- Reason inductively and deductively; and
- Distinguish matters of fact from judgments, opinions, and/or fallacies
Prerequisite: A2. The A3 course must be passed with a C- (CR) or better to satisfy GE Area A3. Any approved A3 course with an In Progress Grade (i.e., I, RP, or RD) will not be counted in Area A3 until a passing final course grade is posted.
Courses approved for Subarea A3 are listed here: GE Area A3 Courses