General Studies (B.A.)
The General Studies program provides an interdisciplinary approach to academic learning that has grown in popularity and influence over the last hundred years as the Academy has matured to embrace a view of human knowledge as integrated, as related to experience and inseparable into fundamentally different spheres. Pursuit of the B.A. in General Studies provides students with the opportunity to attain skills and knowledge at the intersection of different academic disciplines in an integrated, coherent program of study. General studies students develop well-trained minds while honing critical thinking and writing skills. General Studies students also enjoy the flexibility to choose focal areas according to their interests and experience. An undergraduate degree in General Studies prepares students for many post-degree paths, including employment in the helping professions, human resources, public relations, public policy, and government related fields as well as post graduate degrees in these areas or in general studies, law or business.
An excellent degree completion program for students with transfer credits in a variety of different disciplines, Trinity’s Bachelor of Arts in General Studies allows students to specialize in humanities or to create an individualized degree program.
Major Requirements
The BA in General Studies requires the completion of the General Education Core and 42 credit hours in concentration courses, which include a required seminar. Students interested in a humanities concentration take at least 15 credit hours from that concentration area, which is detailed below. Prospective General Studies majors should contact their academic advisor to develop a curriculum plan.
Required Courses
Required of all General Studies majors:
- Senior Seminar: taken at the completion of major coursework
GST 400 Senior Seminar in the HumanitiesThe Senior Seminar in the Humanities provides students with a capstone experience. Through analysis of texts and their own writing students focus on a project that demonstrates how work in the Humanities enlarges the meaning of human existence. Student is expected to retain a portfolio of their work in the Humanities concentration for use in this seminar. Formerly LST 400.
3 credits
Humanities Concentration
The humanities concentration introduces students to philosophy, art, literature, history, and theology and religious studies. Study of the humanities encourages deep reflection on life and helps students make sense of personal and work experiences as they are situated within the larger context of the meaning of human existence. The humanities concentration is recommended for students interested in graduate study in humanities-related fields and law school or employment in fields requiring analytical thinking, writing, and communication skills, such as business, government, and public service.
These 15 credits are required for the humanities concentration:
- GST 100 Humanity and CultureThe Introductory Seminar in the Humanities Concentration fosters an appreciation of the diversity among world cultures as well as the commonalities of human experience as reflected in cultural expression in art, language, and principles of conduct. Formerly LST 100.
3 credits
- FNAR 101 Survey: History of Art IExamines the development of painting, sculpture, and architecture from prehistoric times to the end of the Middle Ages. It is recommended that the two survey courses (101 and 102) be taken before advanced courses and, if possible, in chronological order. Formerly ART 101 Survey: History of Art I.
3 credits
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area II
Core Area II: Understanding Self and Society
- FNAR 102 Survey: History of Art IISurveys the development of painting, sculpture, and architecture from the Renaissance to the present. Formerly ART 102 Survey: History of Art II.
3 credits
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area II
Core Area II: Understanding Self and Society
Students should take 21 additional elective credits to fulfill this concentration.
Business Concentration
The business concentration introduces students to the fundamentals of business and the different facets of the business enterprise. The business concentration is recommended for students interested in potential entry level positions such as sales management, business analyst and/or executive assistant.
These 15 credits are required for the business concentration:
- BADM 205 Legal Aspects of BusinessOffers a comprehensive overview of the principal legal aspects of business management. Topics include: the legal environment of business; contracts; domestic and international sales; negotiable instruments; creditors rights and bankruptcy; agency; business organization; labor and employment relations; government regulations; property; and, special topics (insurance, wills and trusts, liability of professionals, international and comparative law, and law for entrepreneurs). The overall objective of the course is to become familiar with the subject matter by covering the above topics in readings and class discussion sessions. Formerly BUA 302 Legal Aspects of Business.
3 credits
- BADM 213 Quantitative Methods of BusinessProvides students with a sound conceptual understanding of the role quantitative methods play in the decision-making process. Quantitative and mathematical tools used in business for improving the problem-solving process by making it more rational and analytical are explained and examined. The course emphasizes the application of quantitative methods by using problem situations to introduce each of the methods, concepts, and techniques. Topics covered include probability concepts, decision analysis, utility and decision-making, forecasting, linear programming, and project scheduling (PERT/CPM). Formerly BUA 290 Quantitative Methods of Business.
3 credits
- BADM 325 Business Financial ManagementIntroduces the theory and practice of business financial management. Discusses the techniques of financial management such as discounted cash flow, financial statement analysis, cost of capital, capital budgeting and leverage. Capital market theory and functions of capital markets are also examined. Formerly BUA 324 Business Financial Management.
3 credits
Prerequisite: BADM 223; MATH 210 recommended
- BADM 373 Organizational BehaviorIntroduces students to organizational theory and practice. Research literature, theory, and opinion about organizational behavior are reviewed and discussed, with specific emphasis on the individual, groups in the organization, and the overall organizational system. Topics covered in the course include personality and emotion, motivation concepts, decision making, group behavior, work teams, leadership and trust, power and politics, and conflict management. Formerly MGT 356 Organizational Behavior.
3 credits
- One 300 level business course
- Co-requisite Course:
- ENGL 209 Business WritingFamiliarizes students with basic types of standard business writing, including memos, letters, resumes, reports, and manuals, and with techniques appropriate to such writing. Formerly ENG 384 Business Writing.
3 credits
Prerequisite: ENGL 107
Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life
Social Science Concentration
The social science concentration of the General Studies degree embraces the traditional subjects that form a shared intellectual heritage of our diverse culture, as well as promotes the integration, synthesis, and application of knowledge and communication. The program is particularly focused in the area of interpersonal communications, group dynamics, human services and social psychology.
These 15 credits are required for the social studies concentration:
- HUMR 201 Introduction to Human RelationsThis course is designed to provide students with a conceptual framework within which to examine some of the major human relations problems faced by society and to introduce students to the breadth and depth of the field of human relations. Emphasis is on the processes of communication, problem solving, decision making, conflict and change as they occur in individuals, interpersonal, group and intergroup relations. The course emphasizes key ideas of theorists who have contributed to the interdisciplinary field of human relations. Formerly HUMR 201 - Special Topics in Human Relations.
3 credits
Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and SOCY 100
- HUMR 311 Research Methods for Human RelationsIntroduces students to research methods utilized in human relations professions. Critical thinking, data analysis and synthesis are emphasized, along with understanding basic statistics. Students will learn to read, understand, and produce written research reports and will gain familiarity with PSPP, a statistical package for the social sciences.
3 credits
Prerequisites: PSYC 101, SOCY 100, and MAT 110
- One 300 level Psychology course
- One 200 level or above Sociology course
- One 200 level or above Criminal Justice course
- Co-requisite Courses:
- POLS 103 The American Political ProcessOffers an introduction to the American political and governmental system, with emphasis on the processes, institutions, and actors involved in the system. Case studies are used to focus on contemporary issues and their backgrounds. Formerly PSC 123 American Political Process
3 credits
Core Area II: Understanding the Self and Society
- SSC 207 Writing for the Social SciencesOffered in a seminar format, the course equips students with the skills necessary to write papers for social science courses. The course covers the process of writing for the social sciences and develops technical skills in researching and writing a variety of paper types. Specific topics include proposal writing, library research skills, internet research skills, critical thinking and writing, organization, outlines, drafts and documentation.
3 credits
General Education Requirements: Capstone Seminar
Program Policies
Advanced Placement:
Credits earned through AP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the general studies major.
CLEP Policy:
Credits earned through CLEP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the general studies major.
Grades in Major Courses:
Students are required to earn a grade of “C” or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major.
Pass/No Pass:
Courses fulfilling major requirements may not be taken pass/no pass.
TELL Policy:
Students applying for credit in experiential learning should consult with the program faculty.
Transfer Credits:
Credits in courses equivalent to those required for the major from a similar institution may be accepted toward a major. Students majoring in general studies must take a minimum of four general studies courses at Trinity, including both the integrating seminar and the senior seminar.
Course Descriptions
As an interdisciplinary degree, General Studies includes coursework in many academic disciplines. Descriptions of courses designed for the program with GST designation follow; all other courses in the General Studies degree program can be found in the Catalog listed by their disciplinary prefix or on the Supporting Courses for the School of Professional Studies page of this Catalog.
GST 100 Humanity and CultureThe Introductory Seminar in the Humanities Concentration fosters an appreciation of the diversity among world cultures as well as the commonalities of human experience as reflected in cultural expression in art, language, and principles of conduct. Formerly LST 100.
3 credits
GST 301 TELL SeminarThe integrating seminar, which students should take at the start of major coursework, engages students in reflection on the academic value of their own life experiences through a close study of challenging interdisciplinary material. The course hones critical thinking and writing skills while preparing students to apply for experiential learning credits through the development of an experiential learning portfolio. The seminar also consolidates foundational preparation of the Core and prepares students for increasingly demanding major coursework. Students who complete the GST 301 seminar will be prepared and eligible to apply for Experiential Learning (TELL) credits. Formerly LST 301. This course is taken Pass/No Pass.
3 credits
GST 400 Senior Seminar in the HumanitiesThe Senior Seminar in the Humanities provides students with a capstone experience. Through analysis of texts and their own writing students focus on a project that demonstrates how work in the Humanities enlarges the meaning of human existence. Student is expected to retain a portfolio of their work in the Humanities concentration for use in this seminar. Formerly LST 400.
3 credits