The Program
The General Education Program at Watkins College serves a fundamental and foundational role in the institution’s pursuit of its mission. Specific required and elective courses in communication, humanities, and science enable students as they progress through the curriculum eventually to enter advanced courses in their major programs as critical, analytical thinkers able to understand and solve problems, to have a perspective about those problems in their historical, cultural, and physical context, and to express effectively their thinking about those problems as writers and speakers. Other specific required and elective courses in General Education provide a fundamental visual arts core curriculum that together insure that students understand and are proficient in the basic principles and applications that form the necessary foundation for students to succeed in their major programs as artists, designers, or filmmakers.

Each course in General Education is designed to focus on specific learning objectives to meet the goals outlined above. Similar and complementing learning objectives are also found within all courses offered in the academic major programs. The learning relationship between General Education and academic major programs is direct, significant, and critical to the institution’s commitment to its mission. All degree-seeking students at Watkins College, regardless of their academic major, must successfully complete the General Education program.

Watkins College will accept appropriate transfer credit for courses in General Education. Please contact the admission office for more information.

Required Courses
English Composition I & II
History of World Civilizations I & II
History of Scientific Thought
Creative Fundamentals

Visual Arts Core Courses
Each Academic Major program requires students to select specific visual arts foundations courses. Requirements vary from department to department. See specific requirements under each academic major. Visual Arts Core courses are as follows:

Art History Survey I and II
20th Century Art History
Contemporary Art History
Drawing I
Color Fundamentals
2-Dimensional Design
3-Dimensional Design
Photography I

Elective Courses
Each Academic Major program requires students to elect an additional number of courses from the ones described below. Requirements vary from department to department. See specific requirements under each academic major. Elective Courses are as follows:

Drawing II
Classics of Modern Literature
Creative Writing
Advanced Creative Writing
World Philosophy
World Mythologies
Issues in Ethics
Aesthetics
Introduction to Philosophy
Topics in Philosophy
World Religious Thought