Programs And Courses

Core Knowledge Areas/General Education Goals

Many HACC students must register for core knowledge area courses. Below is information on core knowledge area courses.

 

What is the purpose of core knowledge area courses?

Core Knowledge Area elective courses are part of the College’s explicit associate degree requirements and are designed to ensure that students receive a broad range of content areas and ways of thinking. These courses represent the standard in higher education for what is referred to as “General Education Requirements” and are often the foundation of articulation agreements with four-year institutions. In addition, these courses constitute the 30-credit framework mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

 

What are the core knowledge areas?

The core knowledge areas are:

  • Humanities and arts
  • Social and behavioral sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Natural and physical science
  • Wellness
  • Written communication
  • Oral communication

 

Are the core knowledge areas the same for all students?

It depends upon how many credits a student needs to complete of the core knowledge requirements to graduate. Associate in Arts graduates will complete more courses in the Humanities and the Arts rather than in the math or sciences. In contrast, graduates of an Associate in Science degree will have completed more courses in the math or sciences rather than in the Humanities and the Arts.
 

Effective Fall 2024:

  • Arabic 101, 102
  • Art 121, 131, 181, 182
  • Chinese 101
  • English 107, 114, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 206H, 207, 207H, 217
  • Film & Theatre 101, 103
  • French 101, 102, 201, 202
  • German 101, 102, 201, 202
  • Spanish 101, 102, 104, 201, 202
  • Humanities 101, 101H, 115, 117, 118, 201, 201H, 202, 202H
  • Music 102, 102H, 104
  • Philosophy 101, 101H, 102, 200, 225, 225H

Effective Fall 2024:

  • Anthropology 101, 201, 205
  • Communication 120, 253, 253H
  • Economics 201, 202
  • Geography 201, 230
  • Geographic Information Systems 141, 141H
  • History 101, 101H, 102, 102H, 103, 103H, 104, 107, 201, 202, 214
  • Political Science/Public Policy 101, 202
  • Psychology 101, 101H, 213, 221, 229
  • Sociology 201, 201H, 202, 203, 205

Effective Fall 2024:

  • Mathematics 100, 103, 104, 110, 111, 113, 119, 121, 122, 202

Effective Fall 2024:

  • Astronomy 103, 104
  • Biology 101, 103*, 103H*, 108, 108H, 111, 121, 122,130, 203, 210, 221, 250
  • Chemistry 100, 101, 102, 203
  • Geology 101, 101H, 102, 201, 201H
  • Meteorology 101
  • Physical Science 113, 114
  • Physics 201, 202, 211

*Notes courses that do not contain a laboratory component & they are abbreviated as (Sci).

Effective Fall 2024:

  • Health 101
  • Nursing 150
  • Physical Education 131,135, 137, 139, 141, 142, 143, 165, 166,178, 180, 181, 183, 184, 201
  • Wellness & Health Promotion 101, 102, 103

Effective Fall 2024:

  • Allied Health 140 (AH 140)
  • Architecture 111 (ARCH 111)
  • Art 125 (ART 125)
  • Automotive Technology 101 (AUTO 1010)
  • Business 101 (BUSI 101)
  • Cardiovascular Technology 100 (CVT 100)
  • Communication 110 (COMM 110)
  • Dental Hygiene 101 (DH 101)
  • Education 110, 111 (EDUC 110, 111)
  • Engineering 102 (ENGR 102)
  • Film & Theatre 147 (FMTH 147)
  • Fire Science 101 (FIRE 101)
  • Foundational Studies 100 (FS 100)
  • Foundational Studies 101 (FS 101)
  • Foundational Studies 102 (FS 102)
  • Foundational Studies 103 (FS 103)
  • Geographic Information Systems 201 (GIS 201)
  • Honors Studies 101H (HONS 101H)
  • Hospitality Management 101 (HTMT 101)
  • Industrial Automation 101 (IA 1010)
  • Nursing 143 (NURS 143)
  • Paralegal 101 (PLGL 101)
  • Science 100 (SCI 100)


What will I be able to achieve after receiving my general education?

In addition, you will obtain knowledge and skills through our General Education Goals. These goals are an established baseline and common body of knowledge and skills that are integrated throughout the coursework of every associate degree program, and reflect HACC’s values and priorities. Through those courses you will achieve:

  • Quantitative literacy - Quantitatively literate students appropriately and correctly use numerical data specific to the task.
  • Communication - Effective student communicators create and express ideas in speaking and writing in a clear, organized manner appropriate for the intended audience.
  • Critical thinking - Critical thinkers problem solve, create and evaluate. Critical thinking encompasses and is assessed through the following general education goals: information literacy, technology literacy, cultural awareness, communication and quantitative literacy.
  • Technology literacy - Technologically literate students effectively use and apply technology appropriate to the task.
  • Information literacy - Information literate students access, evaluate and cite sources to meet information needs.
  • Cultural Awareness - Culturally aware students investigate issues related to global interdependence and reflect upon their impact as global citizens.
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