General education courses are designed to give students foundational skills necessary to be a productive member of society and a successful professional. General education courses focus on a broad set of skills such as writing, critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, and working with teams, as well as a wide variety of subject areas such as history, philosophy, ethics, and humanities. These foundational skills help students think critically about the world around them, communicate effectively and define their evolving place in the world. General education courses are typically outside of the student’s concentration or major.