General Education Requirements
The General Education curriculum at Indian River State College is designed to empower students to become lifelong learners. Students who complete a degree will acquire a broad body of knowledge and experiences from the Humanities, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Social Sciences disciplines. These courses foster critical thinking, effective communication, and application of knowledge to meet the new challenges in students' everyday life. To this end Indian River College strives to cultivate the following knowledge and skills within its general education curriculum.
In compliance with Rule 6A-14.0303, General Education Core Course Options, beginning in the 2022-23 academic year and thereafter, students entering associate in arts, associate in science or associate in applied science, or baccalaureate degree programs must complete at least one (1) core course from each of the general education subject areas prior to the awarding of their degree.
Pursuant to s. 1007.25(4), F.S., all students initially entering a public postsecondary institution in the 2022-23 academic year (Fall 2022), and thereafter, and enroll in general education core courses are eligible for the awarding of a digital badge. Florida public postsecondary institutions now offer the Fundamentals of Written Communication digital badge. With this badge, students will be able to not only enhance your personal communications but also convey to future employers that you have acquired vital skills needed for professional success.
The Fundamentals of Written Communication digital badge is awarded automatically when a grade of C or better is earned in English Composition I (ENC 1101) and added to your FASTER transcript.
Effective written communication is the ability to communicate ideas, information, and perspectives clearly, adapting a message to different audiences and situations, and using the appropriate style to convey meaning in various written contexts.
By completing ENC 1101, students will demonstrate information literacy, comprehension of written material, and conveying information in writing for a variety of rhetorical purposes and audiences.
Some of the learning outcomes associated with ENC 1101 that results in this badge include:
- Examining and analyzing written material
- Synthesizing information and ideas
- Developing content relevant to the purpose
- Demonstrating the ability to write to a specific audience
- Presenting a perspective informed by research and critical thinking
- Revising written communication based on feedback.
Effective written communication is important in the workplace, and below is a list of some of the benefits:
- Enhances an employee's ability to interpret and evaluate a wide variety of written material
- Promotes research, critical thinking, and problem solving
- Advances the development of clearly written material relevant to the intent
- Enhances the use of appropriate language for an intended audience
- Increases the competent, effective, and responsible use of information.