American Experience

American Experience explores our past and our present; it examines the many rich traditions that shape our politics and culture today. Through courses in government, communication, music, and literature, find out how each of us takes the heritage of different families, nationalities, ethnicities, and ages, and blends them together to form the American experience.

This one-year program offers a choice of two options. American Experience: Communication will begin with classes in government and communication while American Experience: English will begin with classes in government and english composition. Both semesters of your freshman year, you will enroll with the same group of students in two linked general education courses that focus on the American experience. The rest of your schedule will be open to you to plan according to your other interests.

Proposed Sequence of Courses Starting Fall 2008

These classes satisfy university wide General Education requirements for all students.

First Semester (Fall 2008)

American Experience

English 101: Composition (3 credits)

Government 101: Democratic Theory and Practice (3 credits)

Explore the theory and practice of modern democratic states. As you develop your critical thinking, writing, and research skills, you will analyze the meanings of liberty, equality, representation, property rights, voting rights, civil responsibility, and other key concepts in contemporary democracy.

General Education Requirements Fulfilled: Written Communication (3 credits) and Social and Behavioral Science (3 credits) for all students.

Second Semester (Spring 2009)

Proposed Sequence of Courses Starting Fall 2007

These classes satisfy university wide General Education requirements for all students.

First Semester (Fall 2007)

American Experience
English 101: Composition (3 credits)
Government 101: Democratic Theory and Practice (3 credits)

American Experience

English 201: Reading and Writing about Text (3 credits)

Government 101: Democratic Theory and Practice (3 credits)

American Experience
Communication 100: Public Speaking (3 credits)
Government 103: Introduction to American Government

Discover the principles underlying effective oral presentations for public and professional settings, while analyzing the concepts and institutions upon which American democracy is based.

General Education Requirements Fulfilled: Written Communication (3 credits) and Social and Behavioral Science (3 credits) or Literature (3 credits) and Social and Behavioral Science (3 credits) or Oral Communication (3 credits) and Social and Behavioral Science (3 credits) for all students.

Second Semester (Spring 2008)

American Experience

English 201: Reading and Writing about Text (3 credits)

Music 107: Development of Jazz (3 credits)

Experience a historical, analytical, and aural survey of jazz, America's musical gift to the world, from its inception to the present day, including the synthesis of jazz with other musical idioms. See how creative writers have explored the relationship between jazz and American poetry, fiction, and drama.

General Education Requirements Fulfilled: Literature (3 credits) and Fine Arts (3 credits) for all students.

Proposed Sequence of Courses Starting Fall 2006

These classes satisfy university wide General Education requirements for all students.

First Semester (Fall 2006)

American Experience
English 101: Composition (3 credits)
Government 101: Democratic Theory and Practice (3 credits)

American Experience
Communication 100: Interpersonal and Group Interaction (3 credits)
Government 103: Introduction to American Government

General Education Requirements Fulfilled: Written Communication (3 credits) and Social and Behavioral Science (3 credits) or Oral Communication (3 credits) and Social and Behavioral Science (3 credits) for all students.

Second Semester (Spring 2007)

American Experience
English 201: Reading and Writing about Texts (3 credits)
Music 107: The Development of Jazz (3 credits)

General Education Requirements Fulfilled: Literature (3 credits) and Fine Arts (3 credits) for all students.

Proposed Sequence of Courses Starting Fall 2005

These classes satisfy university wide General Education requirements for all students.

First Semester (Fall 2005)

American Experience
English 101: Composition (3 credits)
Government 101: Democratic Theory and Practice (3 credits)

American Experience
Communication 100: Interpersonal and Group Interaction (3 credits)
Government 103: Introduction to American Government

Second Semester (Spring 2006)

American Experience I and II
English 201: Reading and Writing about Texts (3 credits)
History 120: U.S. History (3 credits)

Examine American society from its founding documents, values, institutions, and peoples to the present as you read and discuss American poetry, fiction, and drama.

General Education Requirements Fulfilled: Literature (3 credits) and US History (3 credits) for all students.

Proposed Sequence of Courses Starting Fall 2004

These classes satisfy university wide General Education requirements for all students.

First Semester (Fall 2004)

American Experience: Politics
Communication 100: Public Speaking (3 credits)
Government 103: Introduction to American Government (3 credits)

Discover the principles of oral communication integrating appropriate technology as you examine the basic concepts and institutions of democracy. Visit Washington D.C. and observe and critique members of Congress as public speakers.

General Education Requirements Fulfilled: Communication (3 credits) and Social and Behavioral Science (3 credits) for all students.

American Experience: Culture
English 101: Composition
Music 107: The Development of Jazz

Explore the history and aural richness of jazz, America's musical gift to the world, as you develop your critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Attend live jazz performances and write about the experience.

General Education Requirements Fulfilled: Composition (3 credits) and Fine Arts (3 credits) for all students.

Second Semester (Spring 2005)

American Experience I and II
English 201: Reading and Writing about Texts (3 credits)
History 120: U.S. History (3 credits)

Examine American society from its founding documents, values, institutions, and peoples to the present as you read and discuss American poetry, fiction, and drama.

General Education Requirements Fulfilled: Literature (3 credits) and US History (3 credits) for all students.

Fall 2003-Spring 2004 Courses

These classes satisfy university wide General Education requirements for all students.

First Semester (Fall 2003)

Communication 104: Presenting with Technology (3 credits)
Government 103: Introduction to American Government (3 credits)

Discover the principles of public oral communication integrating appropriate technology as you examine the basic concepts and institutions of democracy. Visit Washington D.C. and observe and critique members of Congress as public speakers.

General Education Requirements Fulfilled: Communication (3 credits) and Social and Behavioral Science (3 credits) for all students.

Second Semester (Spring 2004)

English 201: Reading and Writing about Texts (3 credits)
History 120: U.S. History (3 credits)

Examine American society from its founding documents, values, institutions, and peoples to the present as you read and discuss American poetry, fiction, and drama.

General Education Requirements Fulfilled: Literature (3 credits) and Social and Behavioral Science (3 credits) for all students.