Dec 03, 2024  
2017-2018 EIU Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 EIU Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


General Education Course Library

General Education



Assessment and General Education


The General Education program is constantly undergoing assessment by the faculty who participate in it.  The Committee for the Assessment of Student Learning (CASL) coordinates these activities and provides recommendations to the Council on Academic Affairs relative to student learning in the program.

Study Abroad


Study Abroad courses may be used to fulfill General Education area requirements. In order for a study abroad course to fulfill an area of General Education, it must either be indicated as such in the Study Abroad Course Database (hosted online by the Office of Study Abroad) or individually approved by the Department Chair of the department the course is housed in via the Course Approval Form (distributed by the Office of Study Abroad).

FOSTERING ESSENTIAL LEARNING ACROSS THE GENERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM


General Education at Eastern Illinois University offers students an intellectual foundation for their academic, professional, and personal lives. The General Education program is aligned with the University’s mission to help students “refine their abilities to reason and to communicate clearly so as to become responsible citizens and leaders.” General Education refers to the part of the university’s education common to all students. It is typically grounded in the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and arts, and provides a platform for fostering proficiencies that span all fields of study while probing contemporary problems and enduring questions. By facilitating students’ exploration of questions across multiple fields of study, general education fosters knowledge, while also engaging students in issues encountered by citizens in a democracy. By fostering thoughtful learning and reflection, Eastern Illinois University seeks to instill the value of intellectual curiosity and lifelong learning in its students.

Core intellectual skills embodied in EIU learning goals—critical thinking, writing & critical reading, speaking & listening, quantitative reasoning, and various aspects of responsible citizenship (ethical reasoning, considering diverse perspectives, and civic implications)—are practiced and integrated continuously across general education.  Foundational courses focus on critical thinking and core writing, speaking or quantitative skills. Students are advised to take these courses during the first year of study.

Courses in the other segments of general education focus on a particular learning goal in addition to their topic content (e.g. quantitative reasoning in the natural sciences, communication in the arts & humanities, responsible citizenship in the social & behavioral sciences) and also give focused attention to critical thinking and at least one other learning goal. Courses that target a specific university learning goal have learning objectives and graded assignments tied to the learning goal; they also provide explicit instruction, practice, and feedback related to the development of that skill. The required senior seminar (or study abroad capstone) targets all five learning goals.

Courses are noted with a tag denoting the goals being addressed: CT = Critical Thinking, WR = Writing & Critical Reading, SL = Speaking & Listening, QR = Quantitative Reasoning; RCD = Responsible Citizenship-Diversity; RCE = Responsible Citizenship-Ethics; RCC = Responsible Citizenship-Civics.  Courses currently tagged as WC will remain WC for writing-centered; courses currently labelled WI will become WR courses.  In WR courses, several assignments and activities are required—both informal, writing-to-learn activities and formal writing projects.  These activities and assignments, which are to be spread over the course of the semester, serve the dual purpose of strengthening writing skills and deepening understanding of course content.  Revision must be incorporated in at least one writing assignment through peer review or after a draft has been read and commented on by the instructor or the instructor may provide the opportunity for revision for a higher grade.

CRITICAL THINKING INFUSION IN ALL GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES


All of EIU’s general education courses are charged with helping students develop their critical thinking skills. In a complex world, comprehension of content knowledge is not sufficient preparation for student success at EIU and beyond. Educational excellence in EIU’s general education curriculum lies in fostering habits of mind that enable students to find, evaluate, integrate, and apply information; reach informed judgments; and transfer their critical thinking skills to other tasks they encounter throughout their lives. 

Areas of focus for critical thinking include the ability of students to:

  1. Ask essential questions and engage diverse perspectives;
  2. Seek data, information, or knowledge from experience, texts, and other media;
  3. Understand, interpret, and critique relevant information or knowledge;
  4. Synthesize information and knowledge to infer or create insights;
  5. Anticipate and evaluate assumptions, arguments, or conclusions;
  6. Create and present defensible arguments, positions, hypotheses, or proposals.

While studying a myriad of topics in General Education, students develop analytic strategies and produce work that represents integration of knowledge, skills, evidence-based reasoning, and personal or social responsibility.

Every general education course includes at least one critical inquiry assignment that requires students to answer an important “real-world” question, test a hypothesis, build an argument, or solve a problem by gathering, interpreting, and evaluating evidence to draw conclusions. To facilitate integrative learning and transfer of knowledge and skills, students are also asked to reflect critically on their learning in each course and consider how it relates to other learning and experiences.

FOUNDATIONAL COURSES


Three communication courses in General Education provide students with focused instruction and multiple opportunities to practice and receive feedback on speaking, listening, writing, and critical reading. These courses also allow students to learn about critical thinking through explicit instruction and to foster critical thinking skills through practice and feedback. Students learn how to use information literacy skills to collect, analyze, synthesize, and cite sources appropriately; identify and critique weak sources of information or weak arguments; build an argument or defend a hypothesis or claim; adapt oral or written communication based on their purpose and audience; and employ organizational strategies and language effectively.

Topics of writing projects or oral presentations assigned in these courses might also incorporate aspects of responsible citizenship such as ethical reasoning, discussion of issues from diverse perspectives, or investigation of civic problems. Students may also be required to comprehend and produce graphic material that represents numeric information.

Foundational Courses in Writing & Critical Reading


ENG 1001G, 1002G, 1091G, 1092G

Critical Thinking Targeted

Writing & Critical Reading Targeted

English 1001G and 1002G and their honors equivalents, 1091G and 1092G, are writing-centered courses. In these courses students learn the principles and the process of writing in all of its stages, from inception to completion. The quality of students’ writing is the principal determinant of the course grade. The minimum writing requirement is 20 pages (5,000 words) of finished prose produced through multiple writing projects.

These courses provide a foundation in writing and critical reading in relation to the Writing & Critical Reading University Undergraduate Learning Goal, which states that EIU graduates write critically and evaluate varied sources by:

  1. Creating documents appropriate for specific audiences, purposes, genres, disciplines, and professions.
  2. Crafting cogent and defensible applications, analyses, evaluations, and arguments about problems, ideas, and issues.
  3. Producing documents that are well organized, focused, and cohesive.
  4. Using appropriate vocabulary, mechanics, grammar, diction, and sentence structure.
  5. Understanding, questioning, analyzing, and synthesizing complex textual, numeric, and graphical sources.
  6. Evaluating evidence, issues, ideas, and problems from multiple perspectives.
  7. Collecting and employing source materials ethically and understanding their strengths and limitations.

Foundational Courses in Speaking & Listening


CMN 1310G, 1390G

Critical Thinking Targeted

Speaking & Listening Targeted

Communication Studies 1310G and its honors equivalent, 1390G, focus on oral communication and include instruction in techniques of listening and informative, persuasive, and reactive speaking.  Students are required to engage in critical listening through self- and peer-evaluation of oral communication. Students are required to give four speeches, three of which must be substantive (on an ethical topic, at least five continuous minutes of speaking, research must be verbally cited, graded on content, organization, and delivery). One speech must be informative and one must be persuasive. The speeches should total at least 25 minutes and speaking assignments should account for at least 50% of the course grade. 

These courses provide a foundation in speaking and listening in relation to the Speaking & Listening University Undergraduate Learning Goal, which states that EIU graduates prepare, deliver, and critically evaluate presentations and other formal speaking activities by:

  1. Collecting, comprehending, analyzing, synthesizing and ethically incorporating source material.
  2. Adapting formal and impromptu presentations, debates, and discussions to their audience and purpose.
  3. Developing and organizing ideas and supporting them with appropriate details and evidence.
  4. Using effective language skills adapted for oral delivery, including appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure.
  5. Using effective vocal delivery skills, including volume, pitch, rate of speech, articulation, pronunciation, and fluency.
  6. Employing effective physical delivery skills, including eye contact, gestures, and movement.
  7. Using active and critical listening skills to understand and evaluate oral communication.

Foundational Courses in Quantitative Reasoning


MAT 1160G, 1170G, 1441G, 2110G, 2120G, 2190G, 2250G, 2290G, 2420G

Critical Thinking Targeted

Quantitative Reasoning Targeted

A math course in General Education provides the foundation for critical thinking and quantitative reasoning. Courses that fulfill the general education mathematics requirement emphasize the development of the student’s capacity for mathematical reasoning and problem solving in settings the college graduate may encounter.  General education mathematics courses prepare students for the different and surprising ways they may encounter mathematics in the real world such as understanding different voting systems to functional design, from optimization to interpreting statistics.  Every college graduate should be able to apply basic mathematical methods to the solution of real-world problems.

These courses provide a foundation in quantitative reasoning in relation to the Quantitative Reasoning University Undergraduate Learning Goal, which states that EIU graduates produce, analyze, interpret, and evaluate quantitative material by:

  1. Performing basic calculations and measurements.
  2. Applying quantitative methods and using the resulting evidence to solve problems.
  3. Reading, interpreting, and constructing tables, graphs, charts, and other representations of quantitative material.
  4. Critically evaluating quantitative methodologies and data.
  5. Constructing cogent arguments utilizing quantitative material.
  6. Using appropriate technology to collect, analyze, and produce quantitative materials.

QUANTITATIVE REASONING IN SCIENTIFIC AWARENESS


All Courses in the Scientific Awareness Segment

Critical Thinking Infused

Quantitative Reasoning Targeted

Third Goal Chosen by Department Targeted

In physical and biological science courses, students develop an understanding of the scientific method and quantitative concepts used in the sciences. They use critical thinking skills to analyze methods of describing, predicting, understanding, and explaining physical and biological phenomena.  In the science laboratory experience, students a.) formulate or evaluate questions (hypotheses), b.) plan and conduct experiments (test hypotheses), c.) make systematic observations and measurements, d.) analyze and interpret data, e.) draw conclusions, and f.) communicate the results orally and/or in writing including representation of quantitative information.

Students learn to define a problem or key debate in science and interpret the importance of this issue for society. They consider evidence that may conflict on that scientific topic, critique the information and draw defensible conclusions. They become critical consumers of scientific claims in popular texts and the media by evaluating the rigor of investigations and appropriateness of generalizations made about scientific studies

In General Education Science courses students will:


Content Specific Objectives

  1. Understand and apply basic concepts in the field of science being studied;
  2. Describe the scientific method and how existing knowledge or practice is advanced, tested, and revised in the field of study;
  3. Recognize the role of science in society and identify potential sources of bias and influence that can affect scientific research and the use and reporting of scientific information.

Content Infused with Critical Thinking Objectives

  1. Critically evaluate scientific evidence that may have conflicting findings (in terms of rigor of methods, caution in making generalizations) and draw defensible conclusions;
  2. Anticipate possible positive or negative implications from the outcomes of scientific studies applied to real world problems.

Quantitative Reasoning Objective

  1. Interpret quantitative information in text, tables, graphs, and charts.
  2. Apply basic calculations and quantitative methods to solve problems
  3. Interpret and critique quantitative information about science, such as basic statistical concepts of measures of central tendency and variability; the difference between correlation and causation; the role of sample size in statistical significance; and the difference between statistical significance and practical importance.

Additional Learning Goals—One is Chosen

  1. Write critically and evaluate varied sources. (Writing & Critical Reading)
  2. Prepare, deliver, and critically evaluate presentations and other formal speaking activities. (Speaking & Listening)
  3. Consider culture, class, ability, ethnicity, gender, race, and/or sexual orientation as they relate to the scientific field of study. (Responsible Citizenship – Diversity)
  4. Apply ethical reasoning and standards to scientific dilemmas and research. (Responsible Citizenship – Ethics)
  5. Understand how laws and government regulations impact the natural world and scientific endeavors. (Responsible Citizenship – Civics)

Additionally, these courses will build on the Quantitative Reasoning skills that students developed in the foundational mathematics courses.

COMMUNICATION IN THE HUMANITIES AND FINE ARTS


All Courses in the Humanities and Fine Arts Segment

Critical Thinking Infused

Writing & Critical Reading Targeted

OR

Speaking & Listening Targeted

OR

Combination of Writing & Critical Reading and Speaking & Listening Targeted

Third Goal Chosen by Department Targeted

Courses in arts and humanities focus on critical thinking as well as oral and written communication skills. Because critical thinking, research, and reflection are necessary to the study of the arts and humanities, both receptive (critical reading and listening) and expressive (writing and speaking) aspects of communication are significant components of arts and humanities courses.

The basis of instruction in these disciplines is primarily the interpretation and critical analysis of written and visual artifacts. Courses in the humanities provide sources and methods for reflection upon the human experience in its rhetorical, historical, artistic, literary, philosophical, and religious dimensions. Humanities courses provide students with the foundations and methods necessary for a critical understanding of languages, cultures, and traditions while also exposing students to diverse perspectives.

Courses in the fine arts provide students with a basis for understanding and evaluating musical, theatrical, and visual works in terms of production and reception. Students learn to apply historical, philosophical, aesthetic, and critical concepts to specific works and genres.  Fine arts courses provide students with the foundations and methods necessary for a critical appreciation of various artistic and aesthetic traditions, as well as the evaluation of specific works.

In General Education Arts and Humanities courses students will:


Content Specific Objectives

  1. Understand and apply basic concepts from the art or humanities field being studied.

Content Infused with Critical Thinking Objectives

  1. Evaluate differing points of view on the same historical event, text, or creative production (rhetorical, literary, musical, theatrical, artistic) by assessing the authors’ claims, reasoning, and evidence;
  2. Analyze and interpret texts or artistic productions on multiple levels and recognize and synthesize connections among compositions;
  3. Integrate information from diverse sources, both primary and secondary, to form a coherent interpretation of an idea or event, noting discrepancies among sources.

Communication Goals - Writing & Critical Reading and/or Speaking & Listening

  1. Use organization, language, and information adapted to task and audience in oral and/or written communication.
  2. Identify, evaluate and cite information resources as they engage in projects, papers, and/or oral presentations.
  3. Use effective vocal and physical delivery skills.
  4. Use active and critical listening and/or reading skills to understand and evaluate oral and/or written communication.

Additional Learning Goals - One is Chosen

  1. Use quantitative material to make verbal or written arguments. (Quantitative Reasoning)
  2. Engage with diverse ideas, individuals, groups, and cultures through humanities/arts research or creative activity. (Responsible Citizenship – Diversity)
  3. Apply ethical reasoning and standards in personal, professional, disciplinary, and civic contexts. (Responsible Citizenship – Ethics)
  4. Identify, analyze, and evaluate how political institutions, processes, and economics are interrelated with the arts and humanities fields. (Responsible Citizenship – Civics)

CITIZENSHIP IN THE SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES


All Courses in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Segment

Critical Thinking Infused

One or More of the Following Aspects of Citizenship Targeted

Civics

OR

Ethics

OR

Diversity

Third Goal Chosen by Department Targeted


In Social and Behavioral Science courses, students use critical thinking skills to develop insights into human behavior and discuss institutional forces that influence society. Students learn to analyze the past, develop insight into contemporary social life, and understand the impact of individual and social actions. Students learn to define problems or key debates in the social science field and interpret their importance for society. They read information that may have conflicting viewpoints or findings, critique the information, and draw conclusions that can be defended.

Social and Behavioral Sciences courses develop skills essential to be a good citizen by encouraging students to consider diverse perspectives, apply ethical decision making, and appreciate the importance of civic engagement.

Diversity courses focus on students’ capacity for viewing issues or problems from multiple perspectives. Rather than viewing the world through a single-focus lens, students learn to consider multiple viewpoints when discussing issues. Courses help students move outside their comfort zone and encourage engagement about class, culture, ability, ethnicity, gender, race, and/or sexual orientation. By developing a deeper knowledge of the factors that create difference, students can better understand, respect, and interact with different people and viewpoints, vital skills for responsible citizens.  The examination of history, language, and/or traditions of other countries or cultures (anthropological, artistic, literary, philosophical, political, or sociological) aids in using cultural sensitivity when making informed and ethical decisions. 

Ethical reasoning courses focus on ethical principles and codes of conduct used for making decisions and taking action. Students assess their own ethical values and the social context of problems; analyze how different perspectives might be applied to ethical dilemmas, and consider the ramifications of alternative actions.  Ethical reasoning within various cultures, professions, economic behavior, civic settings, or social relationships may be discussed.  Analytic reasoning, the use of information resources, communication, and diverse perspectives are brought to bear in the ethical decision-making process to reduce tensions, conflicts, disparities, and potential harm.

Civic engagement courses focus on a core overarching goal of higher education to produce responsible citizens armed with the knowledge, skills, and desire to work for the public good at a local, state, national, or global level. Courses challenge students to identify, analyze, and evaluate the ways in which political institutions and processes are interrelated: for example, how government institutions, economic factors, public opinion, the media, and party politics interrelate during the decision making process at the national, state, or local level. Students learn to participate in constructive deliberation (critiquing and building arguments) about issues, challenges, or solutions

In General Education Social and Behavioral Science courses students will:


Content Specific Objectives

  1. Understand and apply concepts in the field of Social and Behavioral Science being studied;
  2. Discuss modes of inquiry used in the Social Sciences and how existing knowledge or practice is advanced, tested, and revised in the field of study.

Content Infused Critical Thinking Objectives

  1. Explore and evaluate competing perspectives or findings on issues, critique the information, and present a reasoned analysis and defensible conclusions.

Responsible Citizenship Specific Objectives - courses will focus on one or more of the following:

  1. Describe, diverse perspectives to a problem;
  2. Analyze issues related to class, culture, ability, ethnicity, gender, race, and/or sexual orientation;
  3. Describe the ethical issues present in prominent problems and apply ethical principles or frameworks that could inform decision making with respect to such problems;
  4. Apply ethical reasoning to cases in the field of study with evidence-based justification of the best decision and evaluation of consequences of alternative decisions;
  5. Identify a significant civic challenge, present relevant evidence pertaining to that challenge, and provide a rationale for a course of action;
  6. Evaluate and/or engage in civically minded thinking and/or action in relation to issues affecting the local community, nation, and/or world.

Additional Learning Goals - One is Chosen

  1. Produce, analyze, interpret, and evaluate quantitative material (Quantitative Reasoning)
  2. Write and read critically and evaluate varied sources. (Writing & Critical Reading)
  3. Prepare, deliver, and critically evaluate presentations and other formal speaking activities. (Speaking & Listening)

SENIOR SEMINAR OR STUDY ABROAD CAPSTONE


All Senior Seminar or Study Abroad Capstone Courses

Critical Thinking Infused

Writing & Critical Reading Targeted

Speaking & Listening Targeted

Quantitative Reasoning Targeted

Responsible Citizenship Targeted

The General Education Seminar at Eastern Illinois University is a cross-disciplinary capstone experience that provides students with an opportunity to apply concepts and use skills developed in all five university learning goal areas (critical thinking, writing & critical reading, speaking & listening, quantitative reasoning, and responsible citizenship). Topics of major importance (e.g. the Holocaust, Social Movements, Women in Science, Technology, Controversies in Education, Sociobiology, etc.) are explored as students read, analyze, discuss, and write about them while students learn to approach issues related to the topic with a focus on relevant aspects of responsible citizenship.  The seminar gives students experience synthesizing, analyzing, and refining ideas/concepts using a variety of methods and from a variety of perspectives while practicing oral and written communication.

The Study Abroad Capstone is taken after a study abroad experience and facilitates students’ ability to think critically about their global education experiences. Students discuss their cultural experiences abroad and reflect on how the study abroad experience impacted their knowledge, skills, and attitudes.  Students synthesize information about their individualized experience through readings, assignments, and a substantive writing sample, an individualized project, and a presentation.

In General Education Seminar or Study Abroad Capstone courses students will:


  1. Obtain information on the course topic from a variety of sources, some including quantitative data
  2. Evaluate and synthesize information from diverse sources
  3. Conduct a rational dialogue with others on topics generated by course materials and outside research;
  4. Express in written and oral forms their synthesis of a topic and a reasoned defense of conslusions reflecting their synthesis;
  5. Reflect on links between their formal course work and contemporary problems/events;
  6. Discuss diverse viewpoints on problems/situations;
  7. Analyze their own views in lisght of readings and discussions in order to make informed, responsible, and ethical civic and personal decisions.

Semester Hour Requirements in the General Education Program


Foundational Courses (Writing-6, Speaking-3, Math-3)

12 hours
Quantitative Reasoning in Natural Sciences 7 hours
Citizenship in Social and Behavioral Sciences 9 hours
Communication in Humanities and Fine Arts 9 hours
Senior Seminar or Study Abroad Capstone 3 hours
TOTAL 40 hours

Students following catalogs prior to Fall 2006 must satisfy the constitution requirement.

Please refer to the catalog section titled ”Academic Regulations” for the complete list of requirements for graduation.

General Education Courses Required of ALL Teacher Licensure Candidates Either as Part of the Above Required 40 s.h.  or in addition to the IAI Core or Transfer General Education:

  • A 3 sh Diversity Course or Third World/Non-Western Course

  • “C” or better in ENG 1001G, ENG 1002G, CMN 1310G or their equivalents (a minimum of 9 semester hours is required.)

  • “C” or better in 3 sh of college level math

  • PLS 1153G or HIS 3600G or an equivalent US Constitution course

Note: Post-baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Candidates must meet all general education requirements with the exception of Senior Seminar. 

*Cultural Diversity


Eastern Illinois University seeks to foster cultural understanding to assist its students to become responsible citizens in a diverse world. The general education curriculum furthers this objective by requiring students to complete at least one course carrying the cultural diversity designation.

To receive the cultural diversity designation, courses will:

  1. Include one or more of the following as their focus or as a means to explore some other topic:

a. the study of diverse peoples (including issues of class, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation) in the U.S. and abroad; 

b. the history, language, and/or traditions (anthropological, artistic, literary, philosophical, political, or sociological) of other countries or cultures; 

c. the role of cultural sensitivity in making informed and ethical decisions.

  1. Reinforce the importance of attending to a plurality of voices (including those from traditionally underrepresented groups) to better understand human history, culture, and decision making.
  2. Include among their outcomes the goal of enabling students to appreciate, live, and work with people who are different from them.

Cultural diversity courses are marked with an asterisk following the course title.

General Education Courses Listed by Segment


Complete descriptions of courses are available in catalog section titled “Course Descriptions”.

Humanities and Fine Arts


(9 Semester Hours)

The student must successfully complete at least one course from humanities and one from fine arts; courses must represent at least two different disciplines.

Humanities


Africana Studies


Fine Arts


Film Studies


Kinesiology & Sports Studies


Language


(9 Semester Hours)

The requirement is three courses: two in reading and writing and one in listening and speaking.  These courses are graded A, B, C, N/C; courses transferred in fulfillment of these requirements will be accepted only if they were completed with grades of “C” or higher.

Note: A grade of “C” or better in English 1001G, English 1002G, and Communication Studies 1310G or in accepted substitutions is a requirement for the Bachelor’s degree at Eastern as well as a General Education requirement. 

Mathematics


(3 Semester Hours)

Scientific Awareness


(7 Semester Hours)

The requirement is at least one course in the biological sciences and one in the physical sciences.  At least one of the courses must be a laboratory course.

Physical Sciences


Applied Engineering & Technology


Social and Behavioral Sciences


(9 Semester Hours)

Courses must be selected from at least two different disciplines.

Anthropology


Applied Engineering & Technology


Family & Consumer Sciences


Geography


Health Promotion


Recreation Administration


Women’s Studies


Senior Seminar or Study Abroad Capstone


(3 Semester Hours)

Senior Seminar


Senior seminars are offered in a number of subjects and disciplines each semester, each one organized around a particular subject/issue important to contemporary society. Each seminar is listed by title and instructor in the schedule of courses each semester. The student must successfully complete a seminar outside of his or her major. (Students may take a senior seminar once they have completed 75 semester hours. However, so that those nearing graduation will have first access to seats, only students who have earned or will have earned 90 hours may register without the assistance of the offering department.)

The Senior Seminar at Eastern Illinois University is designed to be a cross-disciplinary culminating experience that will provide students with an opportunity to apply concepts and use skills developed in both their general education and major courses. Information about topics of major importance, e.g. the Holocaust, Social Movements, Women in Science, Technology, Controversies in Education, Sociobiology, etc. will be read, analyzed, discussed, and written about in a three semester-hour seminar led by a faculty member of a discipline different from those of the students. To allow ample time for writing and discussion, senior seminars will be limited to a maximum of 25 students. As an element of the general education curriculum, each senior seminar shall focus on some aspect of citizenship.

Study Abroad Capstone


Study Abroad Program (2+ semester hours) and STA 4000G (1 semester hour) – Study Abroad is a high quality international academic opportunity that enables students to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for leadership in an interdependent world. The University offers study abroad programs in more than 30 countries around the world. Competitive scholarships are available. Students should plan and apply early. After successful completion of an approved EIU study abroad program, and 75 semester hours, students are eligible to take STA 4000G. As a capstone, STA 4000G will require students to exercise their abilities to think critically about their global education experiences. STA 4000G incorporates university assessment activities, which may include tests, surveys and other instruments. To allow ample time for writing and discussion, STA 4000G, will be limited to a maximum of 25 students.