General Education Program

The General Education Program at James Madison University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education that prepares them for success in their chosen fields and as responsible citizens. The program is coordinated by Dr. Sarah Brooks.

Madison Foundations

Madison Foundations is a key component of the General Education Program, bringing together the basic skills in reasoning, writing, and oral communication. These skills have been recognized as fundamental to educated persons and responsible citizens since ancient times. Madison Foundations emphasizes critical knowledge and skills that students learn through the study of human discourse, argumentation, reasoning, and persuasion.

Requirements

The Madison Foundations area consists of nine credits satisfying three requirements:

• Critical Thinking
• Human Communication
• Writing Students complete one course for each requirement, and the courses may be taken in any order. All three courses must be completed within a student's first year at JMU.

Information Literacy

Information Literacy skills are foundational to university coursework and are included in Madison Foundations. Prior to fall 2022, the Information Literacy requirement was satisfied by passing the MREST. Now, Information Literacy is satisfied through learning modules and quizzes embedded within SCOM 121/122/123: Fundamental Human Communication.

Critical Thinking

Learning Objectives

After completing a Critical Thinking course, students should be able to:

• Identify the basic components of arguments, including premises, supporting evidences, assumptions, conclusions, and implications.
• Evaluate claims and sources for clarity, credibility, reliability, accuracy, and relevance.
• Evaluate arguments for soundness, strength, and completeness.
• Demonstrate an intellectual disposition to be fair-minded in considering evidence, arguments, and alternative points of view.

Course Options

Students must complete one of the following courses:

• BUS 160: Applied Critical Thinking in Business
• EDUC 102: Critical Questions in Education
• HIST 150: Critical Issues in Recent Global History
• ISAT 160: Problem Solving Approaches in Science and Technology
• PHIL 120: Critical Thinking
• PHIL 150: Ethical Reasoning
• SMAD 150: Mediated Communication: Issues and Skills
• UNST 300 & other Integrative options (for students who have 49+ credits)

Human Communication

Learning Objectives

After completing a Human Communication course, students should be able to:

• Explain the fundamental processes that significantly influence communication.
• Construct messages consistent with the diversity of communication purpose, audience, context, and ethics.
• Respond to messages consistent with the diversity of communication purpose, audience, context, and ethics.
• Utilize information literacy skills expected of ethical communicators.

Course Options

Students must complete one of the following courses:

• SCOM 121: Fundamental Human Communication: Presentations
• SCOM 122: Fundamental Human Communication: Individual Presentations
• SCOM 123: Fundamental Human Communication: Group Presentations

Writing

Learning Objectives

After completing the Writing course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an awareness of rhetorical knowledge, which includes the ability to analyze and act on understandings of audiences, purposes, and contexts in creating and comprehending texts.
• Employ critical thinking, which includes the ability, through reading, research, and writing, to analyze a situation or text and make thoughtful decisions based on that analysis.
• Employ writing processes, which include prewriting, drafting, engaging with feedback, and revising.
• Recognize the many characteristics of effective messages and how these may vary according to genres, situations, and audiences.
• Show flexibility in composition strategies by applying information literacy and other modern literacies.

Course Options

Students must complete the following course:

• WRTC 103: Rhetorical Reading and Writing

Information Literacy

As noted above, the Information Literacy requirement was, prior to fall 2022, satisfied by passing the MREST. Now, information literacy competencies and the learning objectives below are addressed within SCOM 121/122/123: Fundamental Human Communication.

Learning Objectives

• Recognize the components of scholarly work and that scholarship can take many forms.
• Demonstrate persistence and employ multiple strategies in research and discovery.
• Identify gaps in their own knowledge and formulate appropriate questions for investigation in academic settings.
• Evaluate the quality of information and acknowledge expertise.
• Use information effectively in their own work and make contextually appropriate choices for sharing their scholarship.
• Use information legally and ethically.

James Madison University

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Overview:

James Madison University (JMU) is a public research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It is known for its strong academic programs, vibrant student life, and beautiful campus.

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Services Offered:

JMU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Academic Support:

Libraries, career planning services, tutoring, and academic advising.

Student Life:

Housing, dining, clubs and organizations, recreational activities, and student government.

Health and Wellness:

Campus health center, counseling services, and wellness programs.

Financial Aid:

Scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

JMU boasts a vibrant and active student body with a strong sense of community. Students can expect:

Living on Campus:

A variety of residence halls and apartment-style living options.

Clubs and Organizations:

Over 300 student organizations catering to diverse interests.

Spirit and Traditions:

Strong school spirit with numerous sporting events, concerts, and other campus traditions.

Harrisonburg:

A charming town with a thriving arts and culture scene, offering opportunities for exploration and entertainment.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Strong Academic Programs:

JMU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with particular strengths in business, education, and the arts.

Vibrant Campus Life:

A lively and engaging campus environment with numerous opportunities for student involvement and personal growth.

Beautiful Campus:

A picturesque campus with modern facilities and a welcoming atmosphere.

Affordable Education:

JMU offers a relatively affordable education compared to other universities.

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Academic Programs:

JMU offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Undergraduate Majors:

A diverse selection of majors across various disciplines, including business, education, engineering, health sciences, and the arts.

Graduate Programs:

Master's and doctoral programs in fields such as business, education, nursing, and public administration.

Research Opportunities:

Opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in research projects with faculty mentors.

Study Abroad:

Programs to study abroad in various countries around the world.