Navigating General Education at Carthage College: A Comprehensive Guide

Carthage College, a Lutheran-affiliated institution, distinguishes itself as a "small, friendly school" that prides itself on offering a personalized educational experience comparable to that of a larger university. A cornerstone of this experience is a broad set of general education requirements, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded liberal arts education. Virtually all students graduate in four years. This article delves into the specifics of these requirements, providing a roadmap for students to navigate their academic journey at Carthage.

The Carthage Experience: A Foundation for Transformation

To graduate from Carthage College, students must accumulate 130 credits. These credits are distributed across core courses, major-specific courses, and electives, creating a balanced curriculum that fosters intellectual curiosity and skill development. About a third of courses will be core courses, common for all majors, while another third will be courses specific to a student's chosen major.

Core Curriculum: Building a Foundation

The core curriculum at Carthage is designed to provide students with a broad base of knowledge and skills, encompassing various disciplines and perspectives. This includes courses in Intellectual Foundations, wellness, artistic inquiries, cultural legacies, scientific exploration, global languages, written and oral communication, quantitative reasoning, religious perspectives, diverse perspectives, international perspectives, and interdisciplinary perspectives.

Intellectual Foundations

All students are required to complete one Intellectual Foundations seminar course, typically during their first semester. This course exposes students to the works of influential thinkers, authors, artists, and leaders, encouraging them to think independently and develop their intellectual capabilities through discussions and writing assignments. Intellectual Foundations will expose you to literature from some of the greatest thinkers, authors, artists, and leaders of all time. You will imagine what could be possible, learn to think independently, and discover what you’re capable of achieving through a combination of intense discussions and complex writing assignments.

Wellness

The wellness requirement aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to live healthier lives, enhancing their well-being both during their time at Carthage and beyond. Through the wellness requirement, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to live healthier lives, enhancing your general well-being at Carthage and beyond. Wellness is a holistic approach, optimizing your life through a dynamic process of growth and change. One or more wellness courses (at least 2 credits) are required.

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Explorations

The Explorations category encourages students to develop a sense of intellectual curiosity by exploring courses from across the College and studying the process by which knowledge is acquired in a range of different disciplines.

Artistic Inquiries

Students have the opportunity to perform or create by taking a course in the literary, performing, or visual arts. One Artistic Inquiries course (4 credits) is required.

Cultural Legacies

Students cultivate a deeper understanding of our world and our place in it by examining and asking questions about the legacies of human cultures - their histories and the products they leave behind. One Cultural Legacies course (4 credits) is required.

Scientific Exploration

Students will learn how to better understand and interpret scientific information in order to make good decisions for themselves and their communities. One Scientific Exploration course (4 credits) is required. A science class can be chosen from one of the following sciences: Biology (BIO), Chemistry (CHM), Environmental Science (ENV), Physics (PHY), Engineering (EGR).

Global Language

Understanding and interacting in a global society increasingly requires languages skills. Two Global Language courses (8 credits) are required.

Written Communication

Writing is a pivotal form of communication across all disciplines, professions, and walks of life. The ability to articulate ideas through writing is essential - writing must be taught and practiced at every level of the education process to equip students to share with clarity and distinction in a complex world. Four Written Communication courses (16 credits) are required.

Oral Communication

Clear and effective verbal expression is a skill demanded of us in every area of life. We need to communicate cogently whether we are engaging in a small group discussion or presenting to a large audience. One Oral Communication course (4 credits) is required.

Quantitative Reasoning

As educated citizens, our understanding of the world around us and our ability to make reasoned decisions is based in part on quantitative information. In order to manage our finances, maintain our health, and follow the news, we need to be able to work with numerical data. One Quantitative Reasoning course (4 credits) is required. Mathematics - MTH 1040, Exercise Science - EXS 2450, Political Science - POL 1500 or 1910 can fulfill this requirement.

Religious Perspectives

Throughout the world, religion is often the foundation of culture, ethics, and social practice. One Religious Perspectives course is required.

Diverse Perspectives

We live in a diverse society, and diversity comes in a variety of forms including race, ethnicity, religion, social class, sexual orientation, and gender identity. It’s important for students to gain awareness of the ways in which diverse individuals and groups interact, to learn of the personal and institutional inequities within our systems, and to understand how the diverse intellectual and cultural contexts that surround us allow us to recognize our own context. One Diverse Perspectives course is required. All English majors and minors must take either ENG 3090 Literature of Diversity or another ENG course designated to satisfy the “Diverse Perspectives” requirement.

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International Perspectives

We also live in a global society, in which international communication, culture, politics, migration, and trade become ever more relevant. This ongoing globalization emerges from interactions among individuals representing countries and cultural identities from all over the world, each having its own context, ideals, and goals. One International Perspectives course is required.

Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Interdisciplinary studies are at the core of the liberal arts experience - they encourage students to consider important questions from multiple perspectives and to value the outcomes of this approach. This fosters cognitive development, including diverse approaches to knowledge acquisition and the integration of alternate perspectives. One Interdisciplinary Perspectives course is required.

Major and Minor Requirements

A maximum of 56 credits may be required in your major, with no more than 40 of these credits within any one department. Students may count a maximum of 56 credits in any one department toward graduation; however, they must have 74 credits outside their major department in order to graduate. Minors are optional unless specified as a requirement for the major. The minor is a minimum of 20 credits and a maximum of 24 credits.

Biology as an Example

At Carthage, students can major in biology, minor in biology, or earn teaching licensure in biology. The biology curriculum at Carthage prepares students for graduate study and entry into medical, veterinary, dental, physical therapy, and other professional schools. Students will be required to take five upper-level (3000 or 4000) courses, not including BIO 4120 (Senior Seminar). A minor in biology consists of six courses in biology or five courses in biology plus CHM 3010. Biology topic courses also count towards the biology minor.

Music as an Example

An audition before members of the music faculty is required for entrance into the music major. At the end of their sophomore year, all music majors are evaluated for junior standing. If a student believes they have been wrongly charged, they must contact the Music Department chair directly. For students who want to seek further depth and skills development, Carthage offers emphases in instrumental and vocal performance, piano pedagogy, and music composition. Additional NotesStudents in the vocal performance track are strongly encouraged to participate in Opera Workshop when offered. Students majoring in Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano will also be required to take 12 credits of additional music electives. Carthage offers a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre, a Bachelor of Arts in Music: Musical Theatre, and a minor in musical theatre. An audition is required for admission to the music minor. If a student believes they have been wrongly charged, they must contact the Music Department Chair directly. Music majors must take their applied music lessons within the Music Department unless the department approves an exception. Applied lessons are included in every music major’s tuition. Music education students are encouraged to take multiple applied lessons to garner extra skills across instruments. If a student believes they have been wrongly charged, they must contact the Music Department Chair directly. Students in the performance emphases must perform in the studio and departmental recitals and must present two satisfactory solo recitals. Normally, they give a half-hour recital in the junior year and a full-hour recital in the senior year. Students in the music education emphasis give one-half recital in the junior or senior year. All recitals are presented only with permission of the music faculty, following a pre-recital jury.

Teacher Education as an Example

Carthage prepares teacher candidates for a variety of licensure pathways. All teacher candidates must earn a C- or better in all EDU courses to remain in good standing. A science class from one of the following sciences is required: Biology (BIO), Chemistry (CHM), Environmental Science (ENV), Physics (PHY), Engineering (EGR). Teacher candidates seeking the secondary education grades 4-12 major must also complete a major in a licensable academic area. Teacher candidates seeking the K-12 education major must also complete a major in a licensable academic area. This program is only available for students who enrolled in the program prior to Aug. 31, 2023. Students enrolling after Aug. All broad field social science education majors must select a minor from the following list, which is not included in the 32 credits listed in the major (above): history, political science, sociology, economics, or psychology. They must earn 20-24 credits in the minor department. The educational studies major is designed for students who want to work with youth organizations that do not require licensed teachers. Students enrolled prior to Aug. Teacher candidates looking to teach in schools in densely populated communities or that serve culturally and linguistically diverse students, can develop the necessary skills, mindsets, and pedagogy through the urban education minor. If they are seeking licensure, they must also complete either the elementary and middle school education (K-9) major or the secondary education major (grades 4-12). For non-education majors, education involves the ability to teach, manage, and lead a group of people. Therefore, students majoring in management, psychological science, social work, religion, and related disciplines would benefit greatly with a minor in educational studies. Apply to and be admitted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP), typically during sophomore year. Apply for and successfully complete Student Teaching. The pre-student teaching clinical experiences are developmental in scope and sequence and will occur in a variety of settings with a balance of observation/teaching experiences at the elementary, middle, and secondary level. The BMME meets Wisconsin licensure requirements as well as the standards set forth by the National Association of Schools of Music. Please note: the completion of the BMME program does not guarantee licensure. State requirements (i.e., student teaching, content tests and other assessments, criminal background checks, etc.) must be met in addition to the completion of the curricular components of the program. Students work with their faculty advisor to identify the appropriate lesson and ensemble placements. Apply to and be admitted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP), typically during sophomore year. Apply for and successfully complete student teaching. To be eligible for student teaching, students must complete pre-student teaching clinical experiences that are developmental in scope and sequence and will occur in a variety of settings with a balance of observation at the elementary, middle, and secondary level. To meet the clinical experience requirements, students must register and successfully complete an education course requiring a prestudent teaching clinical experience. Please contact the Education Department for specific requirements related to acceptance into the Teacher Education and Student Teaching Programs. Apply to and be admitted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP), typically during sophomore year. Apply for and successfully complete student teaching. To be eligible for student teaching, students must complete pre-student teaching clinical experiences that are developmental in scope and sequence and will occur in a variety of settings with a balance of observation at the elementary, middle, and secondary level. To meet the clinical experience requirements, students must register and successfully complete an education course requiring a prestudent teaching clinical experience. Please contact the Education Department for specific requirements related to acceptance into the Teacher Education and Student Teaching Programs. All education students (except for music*) must take and earn a C- or better in EDU 1010, EDU 2010, EDU 2150 (art education), EDU 2720 (elementary and middle education), EDU 2570 (secondary education grades 4-12, theatre), and EXS 2700 (exercise and sports science). No student seeking licensure may enroll in education courses at the 3000 level and above without first having been admitted to the Teacher Education Program. Students must also earn a C- or better in all EDU courses in order to remain in good standing toward licensure. Student teaching is required for all licensure programs (initial and add-on).

English as an Example

The English major prepares students for graduate or professional school, or for a career in such fields as publishing, advertising, law, civil service, journalism, public relations, and the ministry. Students who major in English at Carthage will develop the ability to think critically and creatively, write articulately, and consider problems from a broad range of perspectives. English majors are expected to take advantage of the many opportunities to attend literary programs and performances of plays, including those of the Carthage Theatre Department. Students majoring in English may also select an emphasis in creative writing. The emphasis is designed for students who wish to combine their literary study with study in the practice of creative writing. All English majors and minors must take either ENG 3090 Literature of Diversity or another ENG course designated to satisfy the “Diverse Perspectives” requirement. Students interested in pursuing honors in English should consult the department chair for details. Forms for departmental honors are available from the English Department chairperson.

Electives: Exploring Your Interests

Electives allow students to explore intellectual interests in a wide variety of disciplines and areas of knowledge. Students are encouraged to peruse the Carthage Catalog or the courses pages in any of our more than 75 areas of study.

The Senior Thesis: A Capstone Experience

Carthage is one of the few schools in the country to require a senior thesis. All students must complete a senior thesis in order to graduate. Your faculty thesis advisor will guide you in your research, assist you with research techniques, and help you hone your presentation skills. This is your chance to apply everything you’ve learned over the previous three years. The Senior Thesis is developed in consultation with the department faculty in BIO 4120. Theses may include a scholarly manuscript of research performed or a detailed proposal for future research. Your senior thesis can take the form of a written thesis, laboratory research, art exhibit, music recital, or other significant and integrative experience appropriate to your major.

Reflection Framework

The Reflection Framework helps students to process their experiences, be intentional about their choices, and develop an appropriate education plan. Many students begin their college journey uncertain about who they are, who they want to be, and how their education can support them in developing and refining their goals. To aid students in finding their own answers to these questions, reflection is woven throughout Carthage’s curriculum.

Campus Life and Location

The "lovely" and "very windy" campus of Carthage College is located "on the coast of Lake Michigan." Students here appreciate the convenience of being able to "walk to class in five minutes." Social life generally takes place on campus, with numerous clubs and student organizations catering to diverse interests. There are movie nights, concerts, mini festivals, dances, and dinners as well. Music, theater, and intercollegiate sports are also popular. Carthage is easily accessible by car, airplane and train. Located midway between Chicago and Milwaukee. Outlet Malls in Kenosha are nearby.

Student Body

Students at Carthage frequently hail "from the suburbs surrounding Chicago" and Milwaukee and they "tend to be fairly affluent." The student body is diverse, with "some students are underachievers; others are overachievers." While "most are religious," the campus is generally accepting. Many students are involved in sports, but "music and theater is just as big a deal as sports."

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