SJSU Studies

Students complete 9 to 12 units of SJSU studies: 9 units of upper division general education courses (Areas R, S, and V) and 0 to 3 units of 100W (Area Z). In some cases that SJSU Studies areas are integrated in a single course or overlap with major courses.

• Complete one SJSU Studies course in each category.
• Completing Area Z with a grade of "C or better" (C- not accepted) is a graduation requirement.
• Prior to enrollment, all SJSU Studies courses require completion of core GE, satisfaction of Writing Skills Test and upper division standing. Pre/Co-requisite of a 100W course is strongly recommended for enrollment in Areas R, S, and V.
• Students who fail the WST may satisfy this requirement by passing ENGL 100A or LLD 100A with a grade of "C or better."
• Students can satisfy Areas R, S, & V by taking COMM/ENVS/GEOL/HUM/METR 168A/168B: Global Climate Change or HUM 177A/177B: Advanced Honors in Integrated Science, Social Science and Humanities. These are year-long courses sequences: students enroll in 6 units in the Fall and 3 units in the Spring. By successfully completing one of these course sequences with a "C or Better" in each semester, students satisfy all nine units of upper division GE (Areas R, S, & V) within SJSU Studies.
• All first baccalaureate students are required to have a minimum aggregate GPA of 2.0 in their upper division GE courses (Areas R, S, & V). If more than one course is taken in any of the individual R, S, or V areas, then the highest grade in that individual area will be used to calculate the aggregate SJSU Studies GPA. This policy is effective Fall 2011 for all SJSU students who do not have catalog rights prior to Fall 2011.
• Second baccalaureate students who earned their first bachelor degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. are not required to take SJSU Studies unless specific courses are required by the major. (Effective Fall 2011)
• Transfer students who complete any portion of upper division GE at another CSU campus may request equivalency for coursework in SJSU Studies. Contact the Office of Graduate & Undergraduate Studies for evaluation of coursework.

Areas R, S, and V.

9 units
Complete one 3-unit course from each category.

*For specific department/program majors only

** Successful completion of this year-long course sequence (with a "C or Better" in each semester) satisfies Areas R, S, & V.

*For specific department/program majors only

** Successful completion of this year-long course (with a "C or Better" in each semester) satisfies Areas R, S, & V.

*For specific department/program majors only

** Successful completion of this year-long course (with a "C or Better" in each semester) satisfies Areas R, S, & V.

Written Communication II

3 units
All students must satisfy Area Z (GWAR) by

• Earning a "C or better" in a 100W course, all of which enforce the prerequisite of a passing score on the writing Skills Test (WST) or a grade of "C or better" for ENGL 100A or LLD 100A.
• For most degree programs, students should take the 100W course that is required as part of the degree program (listed below); or
• Completing the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) while matriculated at another CSU, or equivalent course work at another university prior to SJSU enrollment; or
• A waiver score on the WST satisfies Area Z without the need to complete a 100W course only in majors that permit a waiver score. Majors that do not permit a waiver (regardless of score) are listed below.
• Effective Fall 2011: Second baccalaureate students who earned their first bachelor degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. are not required to take this course unless required by their major department.

In written communication II courses, students will develop advanced proficiency in college-level writing and appropriate contemporary research strategies and methodologies to communicate effectively to both specialized and general audiences.