The General Studies classes are designed to assist a student's educational development in a wide variety of areas. These classes are meant to be broad-based and to provide a foundation of skills and ideas to assist students throughout their lives. General Studies courses offer students practical skills, such as how to monitor one's finances, how to write an accurate report, and how to speak effectively at a meeting. Also, these courses challenge and inspire students to value those intangible things that give direction to our lives, such as how to be passionate and responsible citizens of our local and world community.

Because we live in a hyper-connected world, we now find ourselves affected by a wide variety of cultures and values. We are freer to interact with more people from more places than previously imaginable; today, for example, we can sit down for a conversation with neighbors on the other side of the world. Students in General Studies courses, therefore, are encouraged to understand and appreciate the amazing diversity of people throughout the world.

Accordingly, General Studies classes are designed to develop independent learners who can think critically, enabling them to research information, to evaluate it, and to communicate it effectively.

Therefore, the student who excels in General Studies courses

• communicates well
• is a critical thinker
• appreciates diversity, and
• is an independent learner.