USG General Education Refresh
KSU's Core IMPACTS Curriculum
Starting with the Spring 2024 semester, the University System of Georgia is initiating a new Core IMPACTS curriculum for students enrolling for Fall 2024 semester. IMPACTS is a mnemonic for the core curriculum (I = Institutional Priority; M = Mathematics & Quantitative Skills; P = Political Science: U.S. and Georgia History & Constitution; A = Arts, Humanities & Ethics; C = Communicating in Writing; T = Technology, Mathematics & Sciences; S = Social Sciences). Each IMPACTS area is guided by an orienting question and learning outcomes, along with a set of career-ready competencies. The table below provides further detail about the IMPACTS areas.
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Core IMPACTS AreaOrienting QuestionLearning Outcome(s)Career-Ready Competencies
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How does my institution help me to navigate the world?
- Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically and solve problems related to priorities at their institution.
- Critical Thinking
- Teamwork
- Time Management
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Mathematics & Quantitative Skills
Formerly Area A2
3-4 Credit Hours
How do I measure the world?- Students will apply mathematical and computational knowledge to interpret, evaluate, and communicate quantitative information using verbal, numerical, graphical, or symbolic forms.
- Information Literacy
- Inquiry and Analysis
- Problem-Solving
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Political Science: U.S. and Georgia History & Constitution
Formerly Areas E1 and E2
6 Credit Hours
How do I prepare for my responsibilities as an engaged citizen?- P1: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the provisions and principles of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Georgia
- P2: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the history of the United States and the history of Georgia.
- Critical Thinking
- Intercultural Competence
- Persuasion
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How do I interpret the human experience through creative, linguistic, and philosophical works?
- A1: Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance, and ethical implications of literary/philosophical texts
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A2: Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance, and ethical implications of works in the visual/performing arts.
- Ethical Reasoning
- Information Literacy
- Intercultural Competence
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Communicating in Writing
Formerly Area A1
6 Credit Hours
How do I write effectively in different contexts?- Students will communicate effectively in writing, demonstrating clear organization and structure, using appropriate grammar and writing conventions.
- Students will appropriately acknowledge the use of materials from original sources.
Students will adapt their written communications to purpose and audience. - Students will analyze and draw correct inferences from written texts.
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Persuasion
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Technology, Mathematics & Sciences
Formerly Areas D1 and D2
10-12 Credit Hours
How do I ask scientific questions or use data, mathematics, or technology to understand the universe?- T1: Students will use mathematical and computational methods to analyze data, solve problems, and explain natural phenomena.
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T2: Students will use the scientific method and laboratory procedures to analyze data, solve problems and explain natural phenomena
- Inquiry and Analysis
- Problem-Solving
- Teamwork
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How do I understand human experiences and connections?
- S1: Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, relationships develop, persist, or change.
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S2: Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how economic, political, social or geographic relationships develop, persist, or change.
- Intercultural Competence
- Perspective-Taking
- Persuasion
Students will take 42 credit hours of IMPACTS core courses, and an additional 18 hours of Field of Study (formerly Area F) requirements.
NOTE: The IMPACTS core curriculum is for students enrolling at Kennesaw State University for the fall 2024 semester and after, or those who change their major. All current KSU students continue in their current core curriculum, which can be found in the undergraduate catalog.
Advances of Core IMPACTS include:
- Using meaningful (as opposed to alphabetical) names for Core IMPACTS areas.
- Specify more clearly system-wide Learning Outcomes for each Core IMPACTS area.
- Establishing system-wide Career-Ready Competencies for each Core IMPACTS area. For more information visit HERE.
- Allowing courses in the Core IMPACTS curriculum to be prerequisite to courses in other areas and outside the core within limitations.
- Allowing upper-level courses to be offered as part of the IMPACTS areas within limitations.
Implementation Timeline
The University System of Georgia has determined that the syllabus statements should be included in the syllabus for every Core IMPACTS course by the Spring 2024 semester, and Core IMPACTS will be fully implemented by Fall 2024. Based on this timeline, Kennesaw State University has developed the following timeline:
- October 10: KSU General Education Council meeting to introduce IMPACTS—charge given
- November 10: Curriculog proposal form submitted to Curriculum Support Office for Initial Review
- November 17: All proposals through CSO Initial Review to begin review workflow
- December 15: Complete departmental curriculum committee, department chair, college curriculum committee (special Nov/Dec meeting), and College Dean approval
- January 16: GEC meeting to approve IMPACTS core courses
- February 8: UPCC Executive meeting to set agenda
- February 22: UPCC meeting to review IMPACTS package
- February 28: Provost-designee review completed
- March 1: Registrar deadline for changes to Fall 2024, Catalog Publication
- March 15: Fall 2024 Registration begins
