Nov 01, 2024  
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Learning Beyond the Classroom (GELB)


A university education is about more than just classes. Students involved in activities outside of the classroom have higher retention rates and more positive educational experiences. Learning Beyond the Classroom encourages students to obtain hands-on experience and to learn about professionalism; it also provides a way to apply classroom knowledge.

Satisfy two of the following six groups by completing one EMU-approved experience or course in two different groups (e.g. Group 2: Complete WGST 230L2 and Group 3: attend 8 cultural or academic events).

Note: Upon receipt of an official DD214 (honorable discharge), EMU will recognize this as “LBC Waived.” The student’s record will reflect this status and will be advised accordingly. The General Education program will also make exceptions for students who are currently active in the military service.

Group 1: Self and Well-Being


Select one option from the following to fulfill Group 1:

Option B:


Participate in Other Related Campus Activities:
  • College GPS: (G)oals + (P)lanning = (S)uccess

Group 2: Community Service, Citizenship and Leadership


Select one option from the following to fulfill Group 2:

Option A:


Participate in intensive leadership development experience sponsored by campus departments

Note: Multicultural Leadership Experience counts toward Group 2 OR Group 5, not both 

Option B:


Serve on executive board of a recognized student organization (for one year)

Option C:


Volunteer for community service with a recognized student organization (minimum 20 hours of volunteer service)

Option D:


Work as a student employee in a campus leadership role:

Group 3: Cultural and Academic Activities and Events


Select one option from the following to fulfill Group 3:

Option A:


Attend eight cultural or academic events:

These events must be held on campus or via a university sponsored excursion off campus, AND must be sponsored by an academic department or college, Campus Life, or Diversity and Community Involvement. Check the Gen-Ed website, Student Activities Calendar, and/or resources for finding LBC events to identify LBC-approved events. The following are examples of the types of events which typically qualify: art exhibitions; lectures; colloquia; symposia; music and dance performances; theatrical performances.

[Note: Attending eight events only satisfies one LBC experience in this group]

Option B:


Participate in a cultural, arts or entertainment production:

These events must be held on campus or via a university sponsored excursion off campus, AND must be sponsored by an academic department or college, Campus Life, or Diversity and Community Involvement. Events sponsored solely by a student organization are specifically excluded from consideration. The following are some of the opportunities that are typically available:

  • Visual Arts/Exhibitor at EMU Art Exhibits
  • Vocal or Ensemble Musician in an EMU Production
  • Dancer in an EMU Production
  • Forensics Team
  • Theatrical Performer (Mainstage Productions, CloseUp Theatre Troupe, Six Figures Playback Theatre)

Group 4: Career and Professional Development


Select one option from the following to fulfill Group 4:

Option A:


Participate in a non-credit bearing career exploration experience:
  • Aviation Safety and Professional Workshops
  • Eastern Echo Staff Member
  • Graphic Designer job with Campus Life, DC1, or Student Center
  • Management Leadership Institute (MLI)
  • Mock Trial and Mediation Club
  • Road Rules for Choosing a Major
  • Webmaster Student Position
  • Academic Department Sponsored Field Experience

Option B:


Complete a credit-bearing exploration courses (L4)

Option C:


Significant involvement with a professional, discipline-based organization:

Significant involvement with a professional (regional, national, or international) discipline-based organization. To find participation opportunities, check with your academic major department. Professional discipline-based organizations are those maintained outside the boundaries of EMU; e.g. American Psychological Association (APA), or National Communication Association (NCA). This involvement must be documented work for the organization as a volunteer or officer.

Group 5: International and Multicultural Experience


Select one option from the following to fulfill Group 5:

Option A:


Study Abroad sponsored by Eastern Michigan University

Option B:


Participate in planning and implementing a major international or multicultural event at EMU

These events must be held on campus, sponsored by an academic department or college, DC1 or Campus Life, and you must have significant, documented involvement in the programming, implementing, budgeting, contracting, marketing, facilities and technical operations, or management of the event. The following are examples of the types of events that typically qualify:

  • Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month
  • Black History Month
  • Hispanic Heritage Month
  • International Week
  • Martin Luther King (MLK) Week
  • Model United Nations
  • Native American History Month
  • Pride Month

Option C:


Complete a World Language Course approved for LBC Group 5:
  • Any world language course, if not used to fulfill the Gen Ed Humanities Requirements
  • Any second world language course, if not used to fulfill the Gen Ed Humanities Requirements

Option E:


International Students

Upon admittance to EMU, international students will have met the spirit of LBC Group 5 for their study abroad experiences. This will be reflected on their EMU unofficial transcript.

Group 6: Undergraduate Research


Select one option from the following to fulfill Group 6:

Option A:


Engage in original scholarship or creative activity leading to the dissemination of work
  • Presentation of original student work at a state, regional, national, or international conference.
  • Presentation at EMU’s Undergraduate Symposium.
  • Publication of original student work in a juried professional journal, website, book, etc. Must be sponsored by an EMU faculty member.

Option B:


Participate in an approved research-design experience
  • Mathematical Contest in Modeling
  • Product Research and Development Enterprise

Option C:


Complete one of the following credit-bearing Undergraduate Research courses (L6):