The examples listed below are the kinds of CXs that might satisfy the Gen Ed Connection Experience requirement as long as the planning, reflection, and presentation requirements are completed. The following list is by no means exhaustive and there are a number of examples of experiences that could "fit" in more than one Connection category. Students should note that any CX intended to satisfy the general education requirement needs to be pre-approved by the Office of the OWU Connection.
Think Big
This category of CXs refers primarily to independent research and significant scholarly and creative projects.
- Completing an OWU 490 (Independent Study) course in any department or program. (Note: some departments use the 499 prefix for courses that include Independent Study/Research. Most departments use the 499 prefix for senior seminars, however, which would not satisfy the requirement.)
- Participation in (and completion of) the OWU Summer Science Research Program (SSRP).
- Completing a sustained, off-campus research experience such as an NSF-REU. Other examples can be found here.
- Completing a creative or scholarly project that goes beyond the standard course requirement and/or requires a significant and independent out-of-class component.
Do Good
This category of CXs refers primarily to those activities that involve meaningful community service and demonstrate a commitment to an engaged civic life. Listed below are the four subcategories of the DO GOOD area with selected examples:
- Academic Service Learning
This sub-category of CXs integrates community service within an academic curriculum.
- Service-oriented Theory-To-Practice Grants
This sub-category of CXs refers to Theory-To-Practice Grants that connect the classroom and the wider world through service.
- Direct Service
This sub-category of CXs includes sustained service throughout a semester/year with training and reflection components.
- Service-oriented Internships/Fellowships.
This sub-category of CXs includes summer and semester external experiences that complement classroom learning and provide sustained opportunities for networking, personal growth, career exploration, and resume building.
Go Global
This category of CX refers primarily to opportunities that include off-campus programs (domestic and international) that may be for credit or not for credit and are facilitated by OWU Faculty or our institutional partners. Go Global also refers to the internationalization of the university through the involvement of our international students, faculty, and staff. Below are the areas that fall under the category of Go Global:
- Study abroad – academic year, semester and summer programs (credit-bearing )
- Domestic study away – semester and summer programs (credit-bearing)
- Travel Learning Courses – domestic and international (credit-bearing)
- Theory-to-Practice Grant – funded travel experiences
- Signature Projects – may or may not be associated with credit
- Baran, Grimes and other institutional grant programs – funded travel experiences (sometimes associated with credit)
- Spring Break Interfaith Service Teams – both international and domestic travel experiences
- Wilderness Ministry – both international and domestic travel experiences
- Other consortial travel opportunities – ADF, GLAA LAB, others
- Collaborative On-Line International Experiences (COIL) – OWU/Koeki exchange, GLCA/GLAA globally connected courses (sometimes associated with credit).
Get Real
This category of CXs refers primarily to experiences tied closely to career preparation and readiness. These include internships (either paid or unpaid, for credit or uncredited) which can occur domestically or abroad. Sustained shadowing, externships, and/or career treks may qualify as a GenEd CX, as long as the experience satisfies the CX criteria. Students wondering about whether these (or any other) proposed CX counts as a GenEd CX should seek advice from the Office of the OWU Connection.
- Internships – paid/unpaid, credit/not for credit, typically off campus (some on-campus positions may apply). See further internship details on the Virtual Career Center.
- Study Away/Abroad Internships – Internships as part of a Study Away/Abroad Program (e.g. Chicago/Philadelphia Center, New York Arts Program, Summer on the Cuyahoga).
- Career & Professional Courses – Activities extending and enhancing work beyond the classroom stemming from Career Courses such as Externship/Shadowing.
- Other – Intensive and highly immersive leadership activities, projects, and entrepreneurship endeavors.
