Collegiate Curriculum

The Randolph-Macon College general education curriculum consists of three components: a single course writing requirement followed by a set of subject-based Areas of Knowledge requirements not to exceed 17 courses, and two physical education courses (the Areas of Knowledge requirements). In conjunction with a student’s major coursework, these courses are collectively attentive to providing students with experiences that provide instruction in computing technologies, are attentive to Non-Western cultures, are experiential, and provide students with a focused “capstone” experience (the Cross Area Requirement).

ENGL 185

A one-semester course devoted to the development and reinforcement of students’ writing skills.

Areas of Knowledge Requirements

A student may use a single course to satisfy only one Area of Knowledge requirement, even if the course is designated as satisfying an Area of Knowledge requirement in more than one area.

• Civilizations (4 courses)
• -Two courses must be in history.
• -Two courses must be in religious studies or philosophy.
• Arts and Literature (3 courses)
• -At least one of the three courses must be in literature.
• -At least one of the three courses must be in the arts.
• Social Sciences (2 courses)
• Natural and Mathematical Sciences (4 courses)
• “Mathematical Sciences” includes mathematics, statistics, & computer science.
• -At least one of the four courses must be in mathematics.
• -At least two courses must have laboratory components and at least one of these courses must be in the natural sciences.
• Foreign Language
• A student must demonstrate proficiency through the intermediate (second-year) level in at least one foreign language.
• Wellness (2 activity courses)

Cross-area requirements

Students must satisfy the following cross-area requirements. These are often, but not always, met by completing the Areas of Knowledge requirements. Students should work with their advisors to ensure that they have had:

• A capstone experience that widely integrates knowledge and skills.
• At least one course that emphasizes problem solving for computer solution and/or the creation of models to implement solutions in computer software or hardware.
• At least one course designated as especially attentive to non-Western culture(s) or other cultural differences among people.
• At least one course in a student's program must be experiential in that it is a travel or study-abroad course, an internship, a research experience, a field study, a service learning course, or student-teaching.

AP/IB/Dual Enrollment Policies

Students may use Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Dual Enrollment credits to satisfy requirements in the Areas of Knowledge. Students may also place out of one or more courses in foreign language based upon R-MC’s language placement process. A student that places out of an Areas of Knowledge course or course on his/her major that has been designated as filling a Cross-Area Requirement will often be deemed to have filled the same Cross-Area Requirement.

***A single course may count for up to one Area of Knowledge, two Cross Area Requirements, and on a student’s major or minor when it carries appropriate approvals by all relevant college authorities. Students should work closely with their academic advisors to select their courses.

May 2018