General Studies
Broaden Your Horizon
What jobs can you do with a
general studies degree?
This well-rounded program will equip you for careers in:
Public Service
Financial Institutions
Art Associations
What’s the Difference at DWU?
- As a general studies major, you explore a variety of topics related to art, speech, history, government, psychology and much more.
- You will have the opportunity to take classes from DWU professors from across the academic spectrum with electives that match your career goals.
- Upon completion, you can graduate with an Associate of Arts degree in under two years or continue to work toward a Bachelor of Arts degree.
General Studies Courses
Check out the general courses you'll complete during your time at DWU.
ART 141 Introduction to Artistic Appreciation
Hours
This course introduces students to the basic concepts of visual art, music and theatre. Students will utilize and apply these concepts through experiences in design, historical context, career opportunities and criticism, engaging with a wide variety of works of art in visual, musical and theatrical areas.
BUS 141 Financial Literacy
Hours
This course introduces students to basic financial literacy and practices. Students explore topics such as financial goal setting, money management, insurance principles and consumer awareness through projects and exercises that challenge them to apply key financial concepts to real life situations. Students will use mathematical operations, Microsoft Excel, and other skills to solve problems involving interest, investment and sound financial planning. Students will use key economic concepts to interpret economic news and events.
COM 101 Fundamentals of Speech Communication
Hours
ENG 111 Composition
Hours
Students write a minimum of two drafts of four papers (ranging in length from three to five pages), preparing for the more extensive research assignment. For this assignment, students will learn research methods, practice Modern Language Association (MLA) and/or American Psychological Association (APA) documentation protocols and execute a seven- to 10-page argumentative research paper. Students will also engage in peer editing on all writing. Students must complete the course with grade of C or higher to meet graduation requirements. Students whose ACT or SAT scores fall below specific thresholds (see Basic Writing Assessment) may be required to enroll concurrently in ENG 099.
ENG 141 Cultural Perspectives in American Literature
Hours
HIS 141 History of the Modern World
Hours
This course surveys the historical contours of world civilizations with attention to their geographical settings and contexts since approximately 1500. It considers the larger meaning and significance of these civilizations’ respective contributions to the development of the modern world.
MTH 111 Quantitative Reasoning for the Liberal Arts
Hours
A survey of quantitative topics designed to prepare students for the use of quantitative methods throughout their academic career. Topics to include representation of quantitative information via graphs, tables, and equations, ratios and percentages, methods of data collection, descriptive statistics, use of equations in making numerical projections, and basic concepts in probability. The emphasis will be on using mathematical and statistical techniques in a variety of real-world contexts to reach appropriate and reasonable conclusions.
POL 141 U.S. Government and the Constitution
Hours
This course is an introductory survey of founding principles, organization, processes and functions of government and politics in the United States.
PSY 141 Foundations of Psychology and Behavioral Science
Hours
This course provides students with an opportunity to study cognitive, social, developmental and individual psychology within the broader context of the behavioral sciences. The course offers an overview of situational and dispositional influences on behavior, communication and persuasion, theories of learning and ecological systems and the mechanisms that underlie group behavior. Students learn to identify and address factors critical for healthy psychological and social development and use this knowledge, in turn, to design and develop means of unifying and strengthening communities.
REL 141 Religion, Philosophy and Ethics
Hours
Cross-listed as PHL141 this course is a breadth of knowledge course as designated by Dakota Wesleyan’s general education program. Breadth of knowledge courses expose students to knowledge and concepts that Dakota Wesleyan University believes all its graduates should possess.
SCI 141 Foundations of Science
Hours
This course engages non-science majors with the fundamental laws of nature and the process of scientific inquiry. Students learn how natural laws can help us to understand living things, our planet, and the universe beyond.
UNI 101 Self, College, and Career
Hours
This course is Dakota Wesleyan’s first-year experience course. The course focuses, initially, on the student’s unique self. That initial focus is subsequently extended and built upon to explore how the student can take that unique sense of self and discern a path forward through college and into a career, a journey that requires resiliency, but that holds the promise of a life well lived.
Get to Know Your Professors
Learn chemistry from our experienced professors! Our low student-to-teacher ratio offers valuable one-on-one interaction.
Barbara Duffey, Ph.D.
Professor of English
Derric Ludens, M.A.
Assistant Professor of English
Krista Belanger, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Communications
Randy Sprung, M.S.
Associate Professor of Behavioral Sciences
Sean Flynn, Ph.D.
Professor in the Department of History
Vince Redder, Ph.D.
Professor in the Department of English and Languages | Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities
Related Majors & Minors
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Biology
Interested in plants, animals and human life? Explore living things with a major in biology.
Biology Education
Open young minds to the wonders of science! Become a biology teacher.
Pre-medicine and Related Health Arts Professions
Do you have a passion for healing? Our faculty are committed to your success in the health arts.
