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Office of Undergraduate Studies

The Office of Undergraduate Studies was established in 2003 with a mission to lead the university-wide effort to enhance students’ academic transitions, advising support, and academic success in the first two years. The goals of the Office of Undergraduate Studies include greater rates of student persistence, higher levels of student learning, more effective use of existing resources, and more information for students and advisers. The Office of Undergraduate Studies achieves these goals through three units: The General Education Program, The Academic Success Center, and University Programs. The Office of Undergraduate Studies is a clear and visible statement of our intentions to build upon our faculty’s investments in the existing and emerging university-wide academic services and programs for the academic success for all students.

The General Education Program

In collaboration with the University-Wide General Education Curriculum Committee and faculty from across the university, this program communicates the purpose and benefits of ESU’s 50-credit General Education requirement to students and faculty. The program works to enhance ESU’s determination of academic placements and competencies such as English and math, significantly contributes to the assessment of student learning outcomes, and facilitates ESU’s on-going dialog about the continuous improvement of General Education.

General Education Program

Students who began their academic careers at East Stroudsburg University prior to the summer of 1996 are required to complete the General Education curriculum which was in place at the time of their entry.

Undergraduate students complete their academic coursework within the offerings of one of three Undergraduate Schools:

§ The School of Arts and Sciences
§ The School of Professional Studies
§ The School of Health Sciences and Human Performance

In addition to completing the requirements for the major field of study, all students are required to complete 50 semester hours in General Education. Students will be assigned a faculty adviser who will provide guidance in planning their academic program. Students are responsible for knowing the requirements for the degree they propose to earn and for arranging their program of study accordingly.

A minimum of 120 semester hours is required for graduation. (Some programs require more.)

The General Education Curriculum at East Stroudsburg University provides a core of interrelated liberal studies for all students. By design it provides students with knowledge and perspectives and enables them to adopt varied modes of thought and develop specific competencies. Students become prepared to make informed judgments as citizens of this state, this nation, and a global society in which the quantity of information continues to grow. Students completing the general education program at East Stroudsburg University will be able to:
§ Analyze problems from historical, contemporary and personal perspectives in order to make informed choices in facing present and future dilemmas;
§ Describe, analyze, or evaluate art in some of its specific and various forms – performance, visual, practical and literary;
§ Apply concepts from the behavioral, life, and social sciences to personal and social issues and problems involving individuals, communities, and institutions;
§ Analyze scientific evidence as it relates to the physical world and its interrelationship with human values and interests;
§ Discuss some of the best original scholarly and creative works that have been produced throughout human history;
§ Use qualitative and quantitative approaches to problem solving and research;
§ Analyze relationships among culture, language, ethnicity, gender, and nationality and to apply that analysis to specific national and international social, political and economic changes; and
§ Demonstrate the skills needed to enrich the quality of life through physical activities which enhance cultural awareness and promote lifetime fitness.

The 50 semester hours in General Education are distributed in the following manner:

Required: 5 credits
English Composition: 3 credits
All students write a placement essay. They are then placed in ENGL 090, Composition Skills, or ENGL 103, English Composition. Those placed in 090 must take and pass it before they can be admitted to ENGL 103. Students may be exempted from and receive credit for English Composition, ENGL 103, if they take and achieve a high score on the CLEP General Examination in English Composition (with essay). Students must receive a minimum grade of C to fulfill the English Composition requirement.

Lifetime Fitness Activities:  2 credits
To fulfill this requirement, a student must successfully complete two credits selected from the Lifetime Fitness courses offered by the Department of Movement Activities and Lifetime Fitness. Credit may be earned by successful completion of a proficiency test in any of the courses offered by the department. (Movement Studies and Exercise Science majors are exempt from this requirement.) Prior military service or law enforcement experience is not accepted for lifetime fitness credit.

Distributive Electives: 45 credits
Each student must complete at least 15 credits in each of three areas:

Group A — Arts and Letters
Group B — Science
Group C — Social Science

In each group, the student may take three credits in each of three subjects and six credits in a fourth subject or three credits in each of five subjects. Courses that satisfy General Education requirements are identified as GE in department course listings. Students should meet with their faculty advisers to plan appropriate choices to meet these requirements. Some GE courses may have specific prerequisites.
Arts and Letters (Group A)  15 credits
1. English Language and Literature
2. Fine Arts - Art, Communication Studies, Music, and Theatre
3. Foreign Languages
4. Performing Arts - Dance, Communication Studies, Music, and Theatre
5. Philosophy

(The distinction between fine and performing arts may be obtained from the faculty adviser.)

Science (Group B)  15 credits
1. Biology 
2. Chemistry 
3. Computer Science 
4. Mathematics
5. Physics
6. Psychology

Social Science (Group C)  15 credits
1. Economics 
2. Geography 
3. History
4. Political Science
5. Sociology-Anthropology

Corequisite courses may be counted under General Education requirements in Groups A, B, or C if appropriate.

Exceptions
Required Science Courses: Where coursework in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics is required (or listed as recommended in the catalog) for the major, a student with a declared major may substitute those courses for courses in the same departments listed under Science Group B. If a student adopts the above provision and later changes his or her major to a field which does not require coursework in those disciplines, the student may nevertheless receive General Education credit for courses taken in those departments.

Foreign Language Courses: Students may substitute a higher-level foreign language course taught in the language for courses listed under Foreign Language Group A.

Teacher Certification: Students pursuing teacher certification must take two mathematics courses and two English courses (including one composition and one literature course).
Teacher Certification Requirements – please refer to “The School of Professional Studies” in the Program Offerings section of this catalog.

The Academic Success Center

In collaboration with the Retention Advisory Committee, the Academic Success Center provides advising support for all first year and second year students. The ASC assists students in the transition to college life by having an open door to talk with students about their adjustment and progress, providing free workshops (study skills, test taking, time management, etc.) and general information about policies and procedures, and identifying university support services needed to be successful. The ASC also supports academic advisers via regular communication about student progress, developing new advising tools and workshops, and a network of support advisers from across the university who visit with students in the ASC. Stop by the ASC, located near Enrollment Services in Zimbar, call 570-422-2870, or e-mail asc@po-box.esu.edu.

The University Programs

The University Programs unit is a network of long established and new academic programs and initiatives which serve to deepen learning via meaningful connections with knowledge, faculty, peers, and the community. The Honors Program, the Sophomore Summer Seminar, the Junior Research Scholar Program, Undergraduate Research and Creativity, Living Learning Communities and Learning Communities initiative, and the Service Learning initiative are part of this unit. For detailed descriptions of these programs and initiatives, see below.

American Democracy Project
The American Democracy Project is a multi-campus initiative that seeks to create an intellectual and experiential understanding of civic engagement for undergraduates enrolled at institutions that are members of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). The goal of the non-partisan project is to produce graduates who understand and are committed to engaging in meaningful actions as citizens in a democracy. East Stroudsburg University is a participant in this initiative by supporting and creating opportunities for student and faculty participation in the development of a campus-wide culture of democratic dispositions and practices.

Honors Program
The Honors Program offers our best students the opportunity to fulfill part of the general education requirements with special honors courses. Unique features of the honors courses include a maximum class size of twenty, specially selected professors, and close teaching-learning relationships in and out of the classroom. Honors courses provide a stimulating introduction to the various aspects of our social, cultural, and scientific heritage. In the junior year, students take the honors seminar and, in the senior year, an honors thesis project must be completed within the department of the student’s major. Each student has an honors adviser in addition to an academic adviser. Field trips and special speakers are common among honors courses. The honors program affords opportunities such as registration for courses ahead of other students, honors scholarships, international summer study scholarships, special recognition at graduation and on the official university transcript, and membership in the Honors Student Association. There is a lounge for honors students and faculty. Also, special attention and assistance in graduate school applications and job applications are available from the program director and honors adviser. For more information, visit www.esu.edu/honors.

Summer Seminar for Outstanding Sophomore Students
Students beginning or early in their sophomore year compete for the opportunity to participate in special late summer one-credit special topics seminars. The one-week seminar includes the conduct of independent, innovative projects as well as two special events that often involve travel, and mentor training. There is no cost to the selected students. Subsequent to the seminar, students serve as mentors to six entering freshmen during the fall semester.

Junior Research Scholar Program 
This new initiative is designed to provide an opportunity for students to engage in undergraduate research. Students entering junior status with at least a 3.3 QPA are matched with faculty mentors and subsequently develop individual research programs. Each student, in conjunction with his or her faculty mentor, formulates a research project proposal, forwards it to the Undergraduate Research and Activities Committee for review along with the traditional Independent Research form, and, if accepted, establishes a research program. Students from all participating disciplines meet regularly to discuss their progress and present their research results at one or more of several venues, such as one exclusive to this program, the Sigma Xi Research Forum, a discipline-oriented conference, and the annual National Council on Undergraduate Research Conference. A final, written research report is required. Students receive one credit per semester for their research activity, awarded under the appropriate department rubric.

Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities
Faculty in nearly every university department participate in scholarly activities including original research and creative endeavors, and undergraduate participation is often an integral part of such activities. Students who participate with faculty in creative activities and research experience are often set apart from others in the job market and application to graduate school. The university supports these activities by providing academic credit, space and monetary support for materials, logistics and travel to conferences through a variety of funding sources. Successful students regularly attend regional and national conferences including the National Undergraduate Research Conference where ESU students have participated regularly since its inception.

Living-Learning Communities
The Living-Learning Community provides assistance to first year students as they make the transition from high school to college. The members of the LLC live in one of two residence halls and the groups share two courses in common. A high school senior or individual that will be a first year student in the fall semester may request inclusion by contacting the faculty supervisor at llc@po-box.esu.edu. At universities in general many beginning students experience confusion and disconnection as they struggle to make new friends, life decisions, and start on the next phase of their lives. One of the goals of the Living-Learning Community is to facilitate students’ progress through higher education and assist them in adjusting to the new environment. The Living-Learning Community provides an avenue for friendship and experienced peers to talk about issues and learn about university life. Bonds formed during this year can last a lifetime.

Learning Communities
The initiative to provide more Learning Communities will yield an opportunity for students to form bonds through the interactions of two classes. Students enrolled in both classes have the opportunity to engage in learning through the combined efforts of the community with the instructors. Linked courses explore common themes and concepts from different academic perspectives. Learning communities provide an opportunity to form lifelong friendships with students who have common interests.

Service Learning
The Service-Learning initiative seeks to expand opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in meeting the social needs of the community in a broader quest for the common good. This is accomplished through an experiential approach to teaching and learning that can be implemented in courses that incorporate moral development, civic literacy, or the development of critical thinking as it relates to society. Service-Learning, whether through short or long-term community service projects, affords students with the opportunity to integrate theory into practice, apply practical skills, clarify values, and raise consciousness about community issues. Through real life experience, Service-Learning recognizes the reciprocal relationship between our campus and those being served thereby encouraging students to embrace their role as vested community members while assisting our community in seeing the promise in our students.