About General Education Distribution

MU's General Education Architecture states: "[Distribution of Content-Knowledge] courses should give special attention to the nature of knowledge and the principles of investigation used by researchers and scholars. The content component of a general education curriculum is not the content studied by experts or the courses that will contribute directly to a student's career.

It is, instead, the knowledge needed by all students who, as citizens, must make informed judgments about issues that go beyond the narrow areas of their academic specialization." In the three broad content areas, the ways of knowing should be emphasized, from mathematical reasoning to empirical knowledge, analytical reasoning, critical thinking, problem solving, apriori speculations, creative imagination and philosophical reflection and evaluation.

Courses that are highly specialized, narrowly applied, or central mainly to a single discipline or vocational are not appropriate to satisfy the distribution requirement. Courses that are broadly historical, theoretical, or philosophical, that emphasize processes common to several disciplines and that are as valuable to non-majors as to majors are appropriate to satisfy the distribution requirements.

Distribution Definitions

• Behavioral Science: a science that deals with human action and seeks to generalize about human behavior
• Biological Science: a science that deals with living organisms and their vital processes¹
• Humanities: the branches of learning that investigate human constructs and concerns as opposed to natural processes¹
• Fine Arts: the branch of art produced for beauty rather than utility²
• Physical Sciences: the natural sciences that deal primarily with non-living materials¹
• Social Sciences: a branch of science that deals with the institutions and functioning of human society and with the interrelationships of individuals as members of society¹

Distribution of Content List

Distribution of Content List 3000/4000-Level (9-06)

Guidelines for Adding 3000/4000-level courses

Distribution Courses are broad introductory courses with the following disciplines typically associated with the distribution areas:

*Limitations apply. Students should check with advisor.
¹ Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary.
² The American Heritage Dictionary.