General Studies (GEN)

Subject-area course lists indicate courses currently active for offering at the University of Louisville. Not all courses are scheduled in any given academic term. For class offerings in a specific semester, refer to the Schedule of Classes.

500-level courses generally are included in both the undergraduate- and graduate-level course listings; however, specific course/section offerings may vary between semesters. Students are responsible for ensuring that they enroll in courses that are applicable to their particular academic programs.

Course Fees

Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.


GEN 95. Collegiate Success for A&S2 Units

Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.

Description: Intermediate course for students in the College of Arts and Sciences.This course will focus on time management, study skills, resourses, networking, how to learn from every experience (good or bad), policies related to academic standing, financing, staying on track to graduation, transitions, relationships, selecting courses, major, and electives, planning for the future, and how to overcome obstacles.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

GEN 100. Student Success Center First Year Experience1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Description: An introduction to the University of Louisville that assist new students who are unsure of their intended major or who are seeking admission to another academic unit in enhancing their personal academic integration to campus. The course focuses on individual student success, as well as students' personal and academic development as they navigate their first year of college, and helps students clarify purpose and meaning through exploration of their individual skills, and interests. The course is only for students in the College of Arts and Sciences.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

GEN 101. Arts & Sciences First Year Experience1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Description: An introduction to the University of Louisville and the College of Arts & Sciences for students who are pursuing a major in the college. The course is designed to assist new students in enhancing their personal and academic integration to campus. The course focuses on individual student success, as well as students' personal and academic development as they navigate their first year of college. The course helps students clarify purpose and meaning through exploration of their individual skills, values, and interests.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

GEN 103. Special Topics in College Mathematics for Non-STEM Majors3 Units

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): ACT Math subscore 0-18, SAT Math subscore of 260-500, Next Generation Accuplacer score of ARTH: 200-262, or no math placement scores.

Description: GEN 103 for non-STEM majors serves as a required intervention course for students who do not achieve the college-readiness standard for a basic Quantitative Reasoning course (e.g. MATH 105), or GEN 104. This course allows for direct instruction and individualized instruction via computer assisted learning. Course topics are determined by an individual assessment of algebra skills and may include operations with real numbers and fractions, polynomials, linear equations, inequalities, and systems of equations.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

GEN 104. Special Topics in College Mathematics for STEM Majors3 Units

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): ACT Math subscore 19-36, SAT Math subscore of 510-800, Next Generation Accuplacer score of ARTH: 263-300, or a P (Pass) grade in GEN 103.

Description: GEN 104 for STEM majors serves as a required intervention course for students who do not achieve the college-readiness standard for the entry-level MATH course required for their major. Intended for students who need MATH 111 and other higher numbered MATH courses. This course allows for direct instruction and individualized instruction via computer-assisted learning. Course topics are determined by an individual assessment of algebra skills and may include factoring, rational expressions, and equations, radical expressions, and quadratic equations.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

GEN 105. Special Topics in Supplemented College Reading2 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Prerequisite(s): A score of less than 20 on the ACT Reading or a score of less than 480 on the SAT Reading or a score of less than 250 on the Accuplacer.

Description: Supplemented College Reading is designed to provide instruction in college level reading strategies using disciplinary content materials. This course serves as a required intervention mandated by state law for college reading readiness, providing college study strategies and academic tutoring specific to a content course.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

GEN 110. Collegiate Success for A&S1-3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: Collegiate Success For A&S teaches students basic competences to navigate higher education. Some of the competencies students will learn are time management, study skills, networking, policies related to academic standing; financing; staying on track to graduation, selecting courses, majors, and electives, planning; and how to overcome obstacles.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

GEN 111. The Global Classroom: Defining the Study Abroad Experience1 Unit

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail

Prerequisite(s): Must be enrolled in a study abroad program or international internship.

Description: Examination, discussion and analysis of the international education experience. Course helps students apply various techniques to make full use of and evaluate their studies and/or internship abroad.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

GEN 201. Major Exploration and Career Decision-Making1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Description: Assists students in learning about their interests, personality, strengths, values, and more as they research and evaluate potential academic and career paths. The goal of the course is to develop an understanding of the major and career exploration process through learning about oneself, identifying options, conducting research, evaluating fit, and developing a plan to move forward.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

GEN 202. Occupational Exploration: Your Career Choice1 Unit

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Description: This seminar will examine specific fields of study to support the career and major exploration process for students who want to further explore the suitability of a major/career track.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

GEN 203. Internship1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): 2.

Description: 5 GPA and 45 credit hours completed. Practical experience in an organization within the community, and reflection on how knowledge was applied in the field. Contact the Career Development Center for application procedures and guidelines.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

GEN 204. Leadership and Strategic Career Development1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Description: This seminar will require students to engage in critical reflection, chart a path toward personal and professional growth, and craft a specified course of action to enhance leadership competence and career progression.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

GEN 205. GENERAL STUDIES ORIENTATION1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Prerequisite(s): Enrollment as a student in the General Studies Program.

Description: Introduces students to the General Studies Program and challenges them to formulate a degree plan and assess their career trajectory.This course shares content with GEN 305 (i.e., the orientation to the UofL and the program) but does not include prior learning assessment.

Note: This is a half-semester course for one credit.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

GEN 301. Topics in Experiential Learning1-12 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): Approval of chair of the department of the student's major and approval of the dean.

Description: Internship or other experiential learning opportunities, nationally or internationally. Student must be admitted to the program providing the experiential activity prior to enrollment in this course.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

GEN 305. General Studies Orientation and Prior Learning Assessment3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Prerequisite(s): Current enrollment in the General Studies Program.

Description: Introduces returning adult students to the General Studies Program and the process/product of documenting workplace learning for specialization credit (prior learning assessment).There is a 1/2 semester, 1-cr version of this course for students in Gen Studies who do not want to pursue Prior Learning Credit through PLA. The handbook associated with requesting and determining PLA is attached but it is not actually part of the course. Students in this course will complete the portfolio that is required for requesting PL credit but, PL credit will be determined by a committee outside of this course. Completing the course nor submission of a PLC request does not guarantee PL credit will be granted.

Note: This course is specifically and solely for returning adult learners in the General Studies program who want to develop a portfolio for potential specialization credit (prior learning assessment).

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

GEN 401. General Studies Capstone - CUE, WR1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): Completed at least 90 credit hours of college This course is designed to be the "capstone course" for the General Studies Program fulfilling the University's "Culminating Undergraduate Experience" requirement for graduation.

Description: Students will be given the opportunity to complete a written assignment that captures their unique and comprehensive journey through their adult learning experience.

Course Attribute(s): CUE - This course fulfills the Culminating Undergraduate Experience (CUE) requirement for certain degree programs. CUE courses are advanced-level courses intended for majors with at least 90 earned credits/senior-level status.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes