General Studies Major 

Student completing the Bachelor of Science in General Studies will have the chance to pursue an Individualized or Judaic Studies Concentration. This major allows students to enhance their academic abilities in areas aligning with their individual interests or professional aspirations. This program caters well to both returning students seeking to finish their degree and those who have accumulated credits across multiple disciplines, bringing them closer to graduation.

All major requirements must be completed with a grade of 'C' or higher. This major requires a minimum of 36 credits for the Individualized Studies Concentration and 42 credits for Judaic Studies.

In order to earn a Bachelor's degree at Charter Oak, all Major, General Education, Liberal Arts , elective, and Upper Division credit must equal 120 or more credits.

Major Requirements

Students enrolled in the General Studies Major, must choose one of the two concentrations below:

1) Individualized Studies Concentration:

This concentration option allows students to combine various areas of study into an interdisciplinary plan of study that will meet their career objectives. It provides the opportunity to integrate a broad range of accumulated knowledge and new learning into an interdisciplinary program which will meet an individual's career and/or personal needs.

The concentration plan of study (CPS) will be developed with your Academic Counselor and submitted for faculty review and approval during your first semester at the College. Acceptance of the concentration plan is dependent upon the faculty's approval of the proposed courses and the rationale presented by the student. Failure to submit a concentration may result in a registration hold.

The key to receiving approval for this concentration is the student's ability to explain the rationale for the proposed concentration and its relation to their career and/or personal goals. The rationale is key to laying the foundation for the capstone requirement.

The number of credits and distribution by level consists of a minimum of 36 credits with a minimum of 18 at the upper level. The 18 upper-level credits must represent a logical distribution from various disciplines in the concentration. The concentration needs to show breadth and depth in each subject area chosen.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a major in General Studies with a Concentration in Individualized Studies will be able to:

• discuss factual and conceptual knowledge in each of the linked fields;
• demonstrate the interrelationship and coherence of the linked fields by integrating such knowledge from each of them;
• apply such integrated knowledge to scholarly and/or policy questions and problems;
• think critically and construct an argument in the fields studied; and
• engage in effective written communication and presentation of ideas/concepts specific to the fields studied.

2) Judaic Studies Concentration:

The Judaic Studies concentration includes such areas as the Bible, Talmud, Law, Ethics, Religious Thought, Philosophy, Literature, Hebrew, and History. Students will be exposed to a variety of texts both ancient/classical and contemporary. Students will have the opportunity to study these subjects and gain a knowledge and understanding of the textual materials as well as critical thinking and analytical skills that can be used in other disciplines. Students must also demonstrate proficiency in reading and translating Hebrew through Hebrew language courses or courses that use Hebrew texts.

*Female students who are unable to complete the Talmud course can substitute the requirement with literature from the Rabbinic Period, such as Talmudic Stories, Aggadah, Midrash, or Women in the Talmud .

** Must relate to concentration

Prerequisites:

• Hebrew

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a major in General Studies with a Concentration in Judaic Studies will be able to:

• read and utilize primary and secondary source materials;
• critically interpret Judaic concepts;
• discuss the historical development of Judaism as a world religion (e.g., Ancient Judaism, Medieval Judaism, the Haskala [Jewish Enlightenment] and the encounter with modernity);
• explain the significance of the Torah, Talmud and Bible in Judaism and their place in contemporary society;
• use critical and analytical thinking skills in applying theory to practice; and
• demonstrate a foundation in Jewish law and tradition, and the skills to approach the texts independently.

Reconsideration of Individualized Studies Concentration Denial

A student may seek a reconsideration of the decision made regarding the approval of their concentration proposal. The request must be submitted in writing to the Provost within 15 business days of the notification that the proposal was not approved. The request for reconsideration should specify the reasons why the proposal should be accepted.

The request, along with copies of the concentration proposal and the comments of the faculty reviewers, will be sent to the appropriate faculty committee, which will meet within 30 business days of the College receiving the request and recommend acceptance or non-acceptance.

Within 15 business days of the meeting, the Provost will notify the student in writing of the decision of the committee. The decision of the faculty committee is final.