Brenau University and its faculty are dedicated to the goal of providing students with a thorough background in the liberal arts, as well as academic and professional skills which will help them become enlightened and productive members of society. To that end, the faculty have developed a liberal education curriculum divided into four learning portals: World Understanding, Scientific and Analytic Curiosity, Artistic and Creative Imagination, and Communication and Language Fluency. Specific expected learning Outcomes are defined under each of the four portals and are outlined below.
World Understanding Portal(9 hours)
By developing historical, global, and civic perspectives grounded in respect for the individual and in the principles and practice of social equity, students will gain an understanding of the world community and the importance of service to society.Historical Perspective (3 hours) Demonstrate knowledge of major events and movements in history and use this knowledge to generate a more sophisticated understanding of current events.
HY 201
HY 202
HY 210
HY 211
Civic Engagement (3 hours) Demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of civic engagement in a global society.
BA 223
ED 208
GS 200
HN 220
HS 102
MM 101
MM 200
PO 101
PO 233
SY 101
Global Awareness (3 hours) Demonstrate an understanding of global issues and their implications for local communities.
AY 101
BA 200
ED 250
GS 250
GY 201
HN 250
HY 240
HYPO 307
IS 101
PH 207
Scientific and Analytic Curiosity Portal(13-15 hours)
By developing quantitative reasoning skills, competency in scientific disciplines, and critical thinking skills, students will be able to solve problems effectively and apply their knowledge and skills to relevant civic and personal decisions.Mathematics (3 hours) Demonstrate quantitative reasoning through numeric, symbolic, or geometric means.
MS 100 MS 101 MS 111 MS 210
Science (7-8 hours) Demonstrate competency in a specific curriculum and appraise the impact of that science in one’s life. (Students will take one 4-hour lab science and a second science of 3-4 hours.)
BY 105
BY 111
BY 112
BY 151
BY 206
BY 209
BY 210
CY 103
CY 110
CY 121
CY 122
PS 100
PS 104
PS 110
PS 111
PS 112
PS 121
PS 122
PS 180
PY 101
Reasoning (3-4 hours) Be able to think critically and solve problems effectively.
AH 215
BA 107
BA 203
HN 240
ID 275
MS 205
MS 207
PH 205
PH 240
Artistic and Creative Imagination Portal (9 hours)
By gaining an understanding of the fine arts and literature and by focusing on the value of creating a lifetime of fitness and healthy habits, students will develop an appreciation for artistic expression, deepen their self-awareness, and expand their imaginative powers.Fine Arts (3 hours) Understand artistic concepts and traditions through participating in or exposure to artistic endeavors.
AH 100
AH 214
AH 223
AH 224
AR 231
DA 100
HN 230
ID 308
MC 101
MC 214
MM 100
TH 100
TH 221
TH 222
TH 223
Literature (3 hours) To analyze meaning and recognize aesthetic elements in literary texts.
EH 200
EH 201
EH 202
EH 203
EH 210
EH 211
EH 220
EH 221
EH 245
Lifetime Fitness (3 hours)
Appreciate one’s health status and implement a plan for health and fitness. (Women’s College must take one hour of classroom physical education [p.e.] (HL), one hour of activity p.e. (DA/LF/LS) and one hour of either type. University students or Gainesville Day students have the option of taking HS 105 to satisfy the physical education requirement.)
DA 101 DA 102 DA 105 DA 106 DA 108 DA 109 DA 118 DA 119 DA 151 DA 152 DA 155 DA 156 DA 158 DA 159 DA 160 DA 214 HL 101 HL 103 HL 104 HL 105 HL 106 HS 105 LF 101 LF 105 LF 109 LF 112 LF 199W ^^ LS 104 LS 106
^^ Taken by Brenau University sports teams. Three hours of LF 199 completes the Liberal Education physical education requirement, without taking a HL course.
Communication and Language Fluency Portal (12-15 hours)
By developing writing and speaking skills in English and by being introduced to another modern language, students will be prepared to be effective communicators and to lead lives of personal and professional fulfillment.Writing (6 hours) Compose effective and logical written communication.
EH 101
EH 102
Speaking (3 hours) Demonstrate effective oral communication.
EH 103
HN 210
MM 105
SP 108
Modern Language (0-3 hours) (Please see narrative below for additional information.) Communicate in a modern language other than English, and compare global culture(s) where that language is spoken to English-language-based U.S. culture. Students must have competency through the 102 level. Students may take through 102 or may attempt a placement exemption by competency exam (BYU FLATS test) or CLEP.
FH 102
SH 102
SH 201
Communication (3 hours) Apply communication skills in a given context.
Choose any course within the portal not already applied. Students may choose a writing, speaking, or modern language course, or a course from the list provided below.
AH 105
BA 208
CS 101
EH 360
FH 101
GR 207
LE 300
MM 215
MM 220
SH 101
Modern LanguageRequirement
Brenau University’s Liberal Education (LE) Modern Language Requirements and Related Policies
All University students entering at the bachelor’s level must meet a Liberal Education Modern Language requirement by demonstrating at least the high beginner level of language competency at the 102 level. The following policies apply to this requirement:
PLACEMENT: Placement tests are available for limited languages through WebCAPE (Computer Adaptive Placement Exam). This is a “snapshot” placement test and can be taken for low cost online with results in approximately 20 minutes. Students may be placed into 101, 102, or 200-level language based on the results. If placed into 102 or above, students must take that additional course to complete their language requirement. Students are responsible for any fees incurred for this test. Go to the Language Placement Test Site to register for the placement test..
PRINT your results and alert the Office Manager for the Department of Humanities to review your results.
Cut-off scores for Web CAPE are:
- Over 500, Students should consult with departmental faculty to identify appropriate course or additional testing options.
- 351 - 500, Permission to enroll at the 200 level or above.
- 251-350, Permission to enroll at the 102 level.
- 250 & below, Enrollment at the 101 Level *.
* Students concerned that the test does not reflect their knowledge of the language may request further evaluation by a faculty member who can evaluate listening, speaking and/or writing skills to determine if enrollment in a higher level course is advisable.
EXEMPTION: Exemption of the language requirement may be achieved by:
- Transfer of equivalent credit from an accredited university.
- CLEP. If the test is in a language taught at Brenau, credit will be awarded. For CLEP of other languages, exemption will be given without credit. (We cannot award credit if we do not teach the class at Brenau.) Please see a list of CLEP exams that Brenau accepts along with the required scores by clicking the CLEP/DSST Guide link located in the dashboard of this catalog. To register for a CLEP exam, visit the College Board website.
- Students entering with an A.A. or A.S. degree (as defined by the Brenau Registrar), or with a previous bachelor’s degree are exempt from any additional Liberal Education requirements per Brenau policy.
- BYU FLATS (Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service) - available in 50 languages; test must be proctoredand takes about 2.5 hours. Students are responsible for any fees incurred for this test. Scores of 60% or above willprovide exemption only. NO credit is awarded for FLATS tests. Go to the following URL to register for thetest, which can be taken online, and select the Proctor 360 option: https://info.flats.byu.edu. When designating wherethe test report should be sent, list Brenau University, 500 Washington St. SE, Gainesville, GA. Email:registrar@brenau.edu
Heritage Speakers: “Heritage” speakers and others with advanced skills in a second language may NOT take 101; they should CLEP or seek placement or exemption through one of the methods described above.
International Students: International students accepted to Brenau with an official TOEFL (internet based) score of 59 or IELTS score of 5.5 exempt the modern language requirement.
Non-Native English Speakers: If a non-native English speaking student has earned any academic credit from a US-accredited institution, but has not submitted a TOEFL score, then s/he must take a WebCAPE exam or BYU FLAT test to demonstrate competency in their native language or a second language.
