Beyond Your Freshman Year –

Planning the Rest of Your General Education Program

You need to understand the purpose and structure of each level of general education courses in order to make the most of the strategies offered by already successful PSU students.

What It Means

After you complete the three-term Freshman Inquiry sequence of classes, University Studies provides you with opportunities to build upon that foundation with three additional levels of general education courses. You'll find that the University Studies core goals of communication, inquiry and critical thinking, appreciating diversity, and personal and social responsibly will continue to be emphasized at each level of general education courses.

For a map of the University Studies program go to: http://www.pdx.edu/unst/university-studies-chart

How to Do It

1. Choose and complete three different one-term Sophomore Inquiry (SINQ) courses, which are typically completed during your sophomore year.

  • Try out several different SINQ courses.
  • Check out which upper division clusters seem interesting to you, and take the appropriate SINQ course that connects to that cluster.

2. Select and complete three classes from the same Upper Division Cluster associated with one of the SINQ classes you already completed as a   sophomore. These can be completed at any time during your sophomore, junior, or senior years after you've completed the required SINQ.

  • Consider picking a Cluster course that compliments your chosen major.
  • Consider picking a cluster that contains courses from an area you're interested in; this could be the start of a minor.

3. Complete a Capstone course that consists of working together with a team of students from different backgrounds on a project that addresses a real problem in the Portland metropolitan community.  This is typically completed as a senior.

  • Attend the senior Capstone fair at the end of your junior year.
  • Consider a capstone that compliments your major.
  • Consider a Capstone that provides you with a skill that can help you outside of PSU.
  • Check out the range of potential Capstones prior to May of your junior year to find out which ones you’d like to learn more about at the Capstone Fair.

Who Can Help

You can get information about University Studies requirements and/or other general education questions from the Undergraduate Advising & Support Center (UASC), 425 Smith, (503)725-4005, askuasc@pdx.edu. For more specific program information on Sophomore Inquiry, Cluster and/or Capstone courses, visit: http://pdx.edu/unst/contact.html

Strategies for Success

Choose and Complete Three One-term Sophomore Inquiry (SINQ) Courses

Each ten-week SINQ is the gateway a thematically linked, interdisciplinary cluster of upper-division courses. The classes you take in Sophomore Inquiry are designed to introduce you to each of the Upper Division (UD) Clusters. They don't need to be taken in any order since they're not related to each other but rather to the UD Clusters.

Here are some tips:

  • Work Backwards. Check out which upper division clusters seem interesting to you and take the appropriate SINQ that connects to that cluster.
  • Try out several different SINQs. Before you commit to one UD Cluster, take the opportunity to explore three different gateway classes. A cluster of courses that seem interesting on paper may not be as good a “fit” for you as a cluster based around a theme that genuinely interests you. That is one of the reasons University Studies asks you take three different SINQs.

Complete Three Classes from UD Cluster Associated with One of Your SINQ Classes

Cluster-level courses are junior- and senior-level courses drawn from a range of majors, yet they're all connected in some way to the theme of the SINQ gateway course. All cluster classes will require that you use the skills, such as writing, research, discussion and computer expertise, that you learned in your FRINQ and SINQ classes. NOTE: This is the place where you can design an individualized plan of study based on the theme you found most interesting in your SINQ courses and on what will best support your overall academic goals. Not all courses are offered each term or each year. Cluster courses are identified with a U in the Schedule of Classes and are usually four credits. Also, remember you cannot take a cluster course taught by the department in which you are majoring.

  • Consider picking a Cluster where courses compliment your chosen major. It's a good idea to talk to some of the professors who teach in your major and ask if there are any courses outside of the major that the professor thinks might add to what you're learning in your major. (Your FRINQ and SINQ mentors are also good sources for this advice.) Then see which Clusters contain those recommended, or similar, courses.
  • Consider picking a Cluster that contains courses from an area outside of your major that you're interested in. Many students try to develop a sub-specialty, or minor, in addition to their chosen major. Another strategy is to choose a Cluster that will let you build toward a minor or second specialty area since you can use Cluster courses to complete requirements for a minor.

Information on SINQ & Cluster courses: http://pdx.edu/unst/sinq.html

SINQ & Cluster FAQS: http://pdx.edu/unst/faqs/2215/

Complete a Capstone Course

Your senior Capstone is the class where you get to shine as an upper division student. You get to apply all of the skills that you've learned in all your other University Studies classes and in classes in your major. In this class, you'll use your new skills to help with a community project. These projects can range from helping a business with a new ad campaign to crafting an event plan for a nonprofit gala fundraiser. This class is typically completed when you're a senior. Here is a tip from students who have already been through the program: In order to maximize the benefit of your Capstone, don’t try to get it out of the way early. There's a reason why it's called senior Capstone, though some other students may suggest that it makes no difference when you take it. It does make a difference; wait until you are at least a junior.

  • Attend the senior Capstone fair at the end of your junior year. Each May, Portland State University hosts the Capstone fair. The purpose of the fair is to create a space for students, faculty, and community members to meet with Capstone instructors to learn about Capstone courses for the following summer and academic year. Its an excellent opportunity to learn more about the general purpose of Capstone courses and get answer to questions about specific classes.
  • Check out the range of potential Capstones prior to May in your junior year. This way you can get idea about which ones you’d like to learn more about when you go to the Capstone Fair. Here is a link to the online catalogue: http://pdx.edu/unst/senior-capstone-courses.
  • Consider a Capstone that compliments your major. Do not miss the opportunity to make your major area stronger by taking a complimentary capstone. For example, if you want to go into counseling, look into the "Community Psychology Capstone," which would be an asset for either getting into a graduate program or finding a job.
  • Consider a Capstone that provides you with a skill that can help you outside of PSU. Another good strategy is to take a capstone where you will learn or refine a skill that will help you either in graduate school or when looking for a job. For example, if you're interested in working with a non-profit organization, then taking a capstone that involves grant writing makes a lot of sense.

 Check out the Capstone FAQs at http://pdx.edu/unst/faqs/.

Your rating: None Average: 5 (1 vote)