Nov 23, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Learning Beyond the Classroom [GELB]


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 learn about professionalism, allowing them 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 eight cultural or academic events).

Have you received credit for participating in an LBC-approved experience? Please see Request LBC Credit Confirmation.

Note for Veterans Upon receiving an official DD214 (honorable discharge), EMU will waive the student’s LBC requirement. The student’s record will reflect this status and will be advised accordingly. The General Education program will also make exceptions for students currently active in military service.

Note for COVID Impacted Semesters - Learning to learn during a pandemic, online and remotely, while simultaneously managing life, work, and so much more, is itself an impressive learning feat and represents a good deal of learning and skill-building; for this reason, a student who is registered during at least one COVID impacted semester (Winter 20, Summer 20, Fall 20, or Winter 21) will be considered as having completed one GELB category.

Group 1 Self and Well-Being


Select one option from the following to fulfill Group 1

Option A - Participate in Coached Sports at EMU

Option B - Participate in Other Related Campus Activities

College GPS: (G)oals + (P)lanning = (S)uccess

Option C - Complete a credit-bearing course approved for LBC Group 1

Click here  for a list of “L1” courses

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

Option B - Serve on the 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 such as:

Option E - Participate in Other Related Campus Activities

Option F - Complete a credit-bearing course approved for LBC Group 2

Click here  for a list of “L2” courses. This includes all CSIE courses.

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. An academic department, college, Campus Life, or Diversity and Community Involvement must sponsor them. Check the General Education website, Campus Calendar, to identify LBC-approved events. The following are examples of the types of events that 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. An academic department, college, Campus Life, or Diversity and Community Involvement must sponsor them. Events sponsored solely by a student organization are expressly 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)

Option C - Complete a credit-bearing course approved for LBC Group 3

Click here  for a list of “L3” courses

Option D - Complete a credit-bearing U.S Travel course approved for LBC Group 3

Click here for a list of U.S. Travel courses.

Group 4 Career and Professional Development


Select one option from the following to fulfill Group 4

Option A - Participate in a non-credit-bearing exploration experience

Option B - 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., the American Psychological Association (APA) or the National Communication Association (NCA). This involvement must be documented work for the organization as a volunteer or officer.

Option C - Complete a credit-bearing course approved for LBC Group 4

Click here  for a list of “L4” courses

Group 5 International and Multicultural Experience


Select one option from the following to fulfill Group 5

Option A - Study Abroad sponsored by EMU

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, Dining, or Campus Life. You must have significant, documented involvement in the programming, implementing, budgeting, contracting, marketing, facilities, 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 - Currently Vacant

Option D - Complete a World Language Course approved for LBC Group 5

Option E - Complete a credit-bearing course approved for LBC Group 5

Click here  for a list of “L5” courses

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.
  • Present at the 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 a credit-bearing course approved for LBC Group 6

Click here  for a list of “L6” courses

For a complete list of General Education requirements, click here .