The core curriculum and electives in the General Education Department complement the technical training our students receive and infuse that training with a broader canvas of knowledge and creative thought. The content of these courses is designed to provide critical thinking and a framework for learning for students in all programs of study.
The General Education Department also aims to enhance technical studies by stimulating the imagination, provoking each student’s innate curiosity, and encouraging students to embark on a lifetime of independent learning and exploration of technical disciplines, the humanities, and our culture. The courses foster the intellectual and aesthetic growth of students and instill in them a respect for human values.
Finally, the General Education Department takes a holistic approach to learning, making connections between all subject matters, their relevance to historical and cultural contexts, and the careers that lie ahead.
Curriculum
Total Credit Hours: 180 — 12 Quarters
Each class listed is a 4 credit, 4 clock hours per week course. Each quarter is 11 weeks. Three quarters or 33 weeks is defined as an academic year, during which a full time student would earn 48 quarter credits. Web Design and Interactive Media students graduate with a total of 180 quarter credit hours. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science Degree.
Some courses are offered on a rotating basis. Students should consult their Academic Advisor and/or Department Chair when creating their course schedule to ensure they are following the recommended sequence.
ART102 History of Art in Early Civilization Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
This course is a history of art from Prehistoric/Tribal through the Baroque periods. The concepts, artists, works, and styles of the periods will be studied through the use of textbooks, slides, videos and projects.
ART103 Survey of Modern and Contemporary Art Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
This course is a history of art from 18th century to contemporary art. Concepts, artists, works and styles of the periods will be studied through the use of textbooks, slides, videos and projects.
ART201 History of Popular Culture Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
The development of computer games, film, music and other forms of popular entertainment owe much to American myths, icons, heroes, and institutions as represented in American popular culture from the mid-to-late nineteenth century to the present. Students examine the history of these art forms through the examination of popular novels, films, radio programs, songs/music, and television programs – and determine the cultural contributions of particular generations at different times in history.
ART301 American Art History Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
ART101, ART103
A comprehensive overview of the history of art in America from prior to colonization through the present. This course offers a comparative perspective to solve assigned studio problems.
ART302 Survey of Architecture Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
ENG101, and any level 100 or 200 art course
This course surveys American architecture from the 18th century to the present, examining visual, historic, and social significance. Emphasis is placed on construction detail and technique as well as measurement and engineering analysis.
ART401 Survey of African American Art Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
An introduction to the historical and social forces that shaped the works of American artists of African ancestry from the Colonial period to the present. The course will examine the roots, styles, content, and aesthetics of African American art.
BIO201 Nutrition Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
This course centers on an explanation of the basic principles of nutrition and their relationship to health. The structure, functions, and sources of nutrients – including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water – are discussed. Current issues innutrition are reviewed, including dietary guidelines, energy balance, vitamin supplements, and food fads.
COM101 Speech Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: ENG101
ENG101
Students will develop and refine presentation skills focusing on compiling, organizing, and outlining the research material in preparation for the assignments.
COM301 Advanced Communications Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
COM101, ENG101, AS successful completion of 75 credits, BS successful completion of 150 credits
The purpose of this course is to examine the theoretical and practical aspects involved in effective communication. The course will emphasize essential elements of communication in both personal and professional environments as well as identify and analyze efficient oral and written delivery techniques.
ECO101 Economics Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
In this course, the student will learn about standard microeconomic topics. Microeconomics studies the economic behavior of individuals and firms. The student will examine why firms maximize profits and consumers maximize satisfaction. Students will learn about competition, efficiency and market structure.
ENG095 Reading and Writing Skills Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
This course emphasizes the study of basic competencies needed in order to perform satisfactorily in a college-level English course. Specifically, this includes grammatical, mechanical and usage skills essential to produce competent paragraphs and essays. Credits in this course will not satisfy any degree requirements.
ENG101 Composition and Language I Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
Students will be introduced to college-level writing processes, including theme, composition, and research. A librarian-led orientation and seminar will be an integral part of this class, since the student will use the library extensively in the latter part of the class. Students will adhere to standard conventions of written English.
ENG102 Composition and Language II Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: ENG101
ENG101
An extension of Composition and Language I with an emphasis on the refinement of individual skills, writing styles and voices, and on research procedures. Selected readings in prose, drama, and poetry supplement the course and provide topics for discussion and written assignments. A series of short papers, including documentation, will be required.
ENG250 World Literature Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: ENG101
ENG101
This course focuses on world literary selections. Topics include the critical evaluation of the literary genres: story, poetry and drama.
ENG401 Children's Literature Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
ENG101, ENG102
A survey of 19th and 20th century children's literature, this course will examine the criteria of good literature, children's interests and developmental stages related to books, various genres of children's literature, children's book awards, illustrators and authors. The course will also provide students an opportunity to explore interdisciplinary applications related to the design field.
ENG403 Special Topics / Critical Writing or Copywriting Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
ENG101, ENG102
Varies on the selected topic.
FS101 Freshman Studies Top
2 Credits
Prerequisite: none
Students will be oriented to policy and procedures of The Art Institute of York, Pennsylvania. This course will give students the skills needed to succeed at the college level. Students will be encouraged to develop an attitude of curiosity and inquisitiveness, a capacity for perspective and comparison, and an ability to think rationally and contextually. Credits in this course will not satisfy any degree requirements.
HIS250 Western Civilization I Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: ENG101
ENG101
Covers the civilization of Ancient Greece, Rome, and the Near East, the middle ages, the renaissance and reformation, and early modern Europe (ancient near east to 1648).
HIS251 Western Civilization II Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: ENG101
ENG101
Covers European history from the seventeenth century through post-World War II. It includes political, economics, and cultural development such as scientific thought, the enlightenment, industrial revolution, and World Wars I and II.
HIS302 Women in History Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: ENG101
ENG101
An overview of women's role in human history. It will outline the role of women in the past and discuss traditional expectations about individual values, gender roles, women's place in male-dominated spheres (politics), women's impact on culture and modern expectations about the role of women in society.
HIS304 History of Sports in American Society Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: ENG101
ENG101
This course follows the development of sports in America from the colonial times to the recent past. Over the course of the quarter, the transition from folk games to the modern age of spectator sports will be examined. Important to this transformation will be the changes in society, technology, and business. The course will also explore the changing definition and purpose of sport, the symbolism of sport, the way in which sport can unify and divide people, and the interaction between sports as a part of culture and society and its relationship to national historical trends.
MTH099 Basic Mathematics Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: MTH099
MTH099
This course emphasizes the study of basic competencies needed in order to perform satisfactorily in a college-level basic mathematics course. Specifically this includes concepts and applications of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, percents, the order of operations and signed numbers. Credits in this course will not satisfy any degree requirements.
MTH100 Elementary Algebra Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
This course emphasizes the study of basic algebraic concepts needed to perform satisfactorily in the college-level mathematics course. Specifically, this includes signed numbers, variables, exponents, equations, inequalities, graphing techniques, polynomials, factoring, rational expressions and applications. Credits in this course will not satisfy any degree requirements.
MTH101 College Math Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
Concepts of algebra including linear and quadratic equations, polynomials, exponents, logarithms and functions. Emphasis on graphical representations of functions. This course is designed to build an adequate background for the college-level mathematics, science and business courses. College Math is a prerequisite and basis for all other math, science, and business courses in the curriculum.
PHI210 Aesthetics Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: ENG101
ENG101
Aesthetics is alternately defined as philosophy of art, philosophy of beauty and philosophy of taste. All three definitions point to the ways in which we create, experience, think about and write about the fine arts. Our readings this semester will explore various mediums, philosophical issues and the idea of taste in order to help you generate your own aesthetic theories. At semester's end you will have experienced a wide range of reactions to art and developed your own critical voice that can help you answer the question "What is art?" in a well-reasoned fashion.
PHI220 Logic Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: none
Philosophy, literally "friend of wisdom," is a two-fold activity. Initially we think of the "reflective" discipline that attempts to address life's big questions about ourselves and our world, but there is also a "doing" component concerned with developing the ability to think critically and evaluate various responses to philosophical problems. This course focuses on the "doing" aspect, encouraging students to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate a wide variety of information. "Logic is the study of the methods and principles used to distinguish good (correct) from bad (incorrect) reasoning" (Copi, 2). Since life in the "information age" of the 21st century demands that we sort through large quantities of data, some valuable - some worthless- it is necessary to acquire the critical thinking skills that allow us to easily distinguish the quality of information coming through various media channels (TV, radio, Internet, stock quotes, financial reports, proposals, grants, etc.). Logic teaches rudimentary reasoning skills that will help you refine your decision-making and information-sorting skills. This requires at least two hours of study for every one hour spent in the classroom. Students will be expected to attend regularly and participate in discussions.
PHY101 Physics Top
4 Credits
Prerequisite: MTH101
MTH101
Students will learn basic motion and force laws; principles of Newton's laws of motion; motion along straight and curved paths; weight; work, energy and power; impulse, momentum and impact; squash and stretch; waves and sound, light and image formation will also be studied.
