General Education Program

April Hope T. Castro, PhD

Director

General Education (GE) is a suite of courses that all undergraduate students, regardless of their degree program, must complete. The GE Program is the hallmark of UP Education (“Tatak UP”).

Collectively, GE courses aim “to develop leadership characterized by integrity and honor, excellence, and public service” (UP General Education Framework 2016). Each GE course is designed to be liberal, holistic, and integrative.

As a broad foundation of study, GE courses will:
  • Broaden intellectual and cultural horizons;
  • Hone critical and creative thinking;
  • Develop a passion for learning and scholarship;
  • Cultivate a high sense of intellectual and moral integrity; and
  • Foster a commitment to nationalism and social justice.

The UPLB GE Program Curriculum Structure

The UPLB University Council, in its special meeting held on 15 April 2016, approved the GE Curriculum Structure composed of 15 units of core courses, three (3) units of UPLB core course, and nine (9) units of elective courses for a total of 27 units.

As of First Semester 2021-22, there are 17 GE courses offered in UPLB, taught by more than 150 faculty members from different units of the University.

ETHICS 1

Ethics in and Moral in Everyday Life

The nature and development, sources, and frameworks of ethics and moral reasoning and their application to various issues and contexts

Offered at DHUM

STS 1

Science, Technology, and Society

Analyses of the past, present, and future of science and technology in society (including their nature, role, and function) and the social, culture, political, economic, and environmental factors affecting the development of science and technology, with emphasis on the Philippine setting

Offered at DSS, IBS

PI 10

The Life and Works of Jose Rizal

Significance of the life and writing of Rizal in the life of the Filipino people

Offered at DSS

HIST 1 / KAS 1

Philippine History / Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas

The political, economic, social, and cultural development of the Philippines/Ang pampulitikal, pang-ekonomiya, panlipunan, at pangkalinangang pagsulong ng Pilipinas

Offered at DSS

ARTS 1

Critical Perspectives in the Arts

A critical study of the experience, language, and context of art

Offered at DHUM

COMM 10

Critical Perspectives in Communication

Theories and frameworks of communication in various contexts

Offered at DHUM

SCIENCE 10

Probing the Physical World

Understanding the origin of the universe, synthesis of the elements, formation of the earth, and various critical issues

Offered at IMSP, IC

SCIENCE 11

Living Systems: Concepts and Dynamics

Principles, interactions, and contemporary issues concerning living systems

Offered at IBS

WIKA 1

Wika, Kultura, at Lipunan

Pagsusuri sa ugnayan ng wika, kultura, at lipunan

Offered at DHUM

PHLO 1

Understanding Philosophy

Basic concepts, skills, principles, and knowledge drawn from major branches of philosophy and their application

Offered at DHUM

PS 21

Wika, Panitikan, at Kultura sa Ilalim ng Batas Militar sa Pillpinas

Pagsusuri ng mga akdang pangwika, pampanitikan, at pangkultura sa ilalim ng Batas Militar sa Pilipinas

Offered at DHUM, DSS

KAS 4

Ang Kababaihan sa Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas

Ang karanasan, kalagayan, at pag-unlad ng kababaihan sa lipunang Pilipino sa perspektibo ng kababaihanakdang pangwika, pampanitikan, at pangkultura sa ilalim ng Batas Militar sa Pilipinas

Offered at DSS

SAS 1

Self and Society

Understanding the self and appreciating human agency and the emergence of the self in different social contexts

Offered at DSS

SOSC 3

Exploring Gender and Sexuality

A cross-cultural survey of gender and sexuality, applying perspectives from different social sciences

Offered at DSS

MATH 10

Mathematics, Culture, and Society

Appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics through the examination of its nature, development, utility, and relationship with culture and society

Offered at IMSP

HUM 3

Reading Film, TV, and the Internet

Critical reading of film, TV, and the Internet from a literary perspective

Offered at DHUM

PHILARTS 1

Philippine Arts and Culture

Approaches and issues in Philippine arts and culture

Offered at DHUM

Functions of the UPLB General Education Program Council

The 2021-22 General Education Program (GEP) Council was created by virtue of OC Administrative Order No. 318 s.2021. The GE Program Council shall:
  •  Coordinate with the concerned units of the University regarding the development, assessment, and monitoring of the GE Program;
  •  Anticipate future needs and demands that will impinge on the GE Program and recommend appropriate changes;
  • Propose policies and such other changes needed to improve the content and teaching of GE courses;
  • Evaluate proposals for the institution of GE courses;
  • Evaluate and recommend proposals for grants related to GE;
  • Select recipients for GE professorial chairs and other awards related to GE;
  • Organize discussions and seminars on GE; and
  • Perform such other tasks as may be assigned to the council.

Former Director

Mark Oliver S. Llangco

2020 - 2024

Rolando G. Panopio

2007 - 2019