Jax MIX is a signature general education program that aligns with JSU’s new strategic plan, provides a distinctive educational experience, and prepares students for success at JSU and beyond. This dynamic, innovative program helps students discover new knowledge and skills to reach college and career goals. The program also offers students the opportunity to individualize course selections to achieve badged microcredentials to complement their major program.
Mission
To prepare students to be competent, ethical professionals and engaged, responsible, global citizens through core education centered on human communication, experience, expression, and inquiry. Students are encouraged through general education to reach for connections, engage with experiences, and discover opportunities as they develop skills essential for employability and lifelong learning.
Competencies—The Three C’s: Communication, Critical Thinking, and Collaboration
The JSU mission offers that Jax State graduates will be competent, ethical professionals. Key skills for professional success include communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. As effective communicators, students will be able to generate ethical communications that have a clear purpose and are well organized, grammatically correct, and appropriate to the audience. As critical thinkers, they will be able to reason quantitatively, logically, and/or symbolically to analyze and resolve problems. As effective team members, they will be able to develop rapport with others to achieve group cohesion and work effectively and respectfully to develop and accomplish a common goal.
Programmatic Emphasis
Jax MIX provides opportunities for the following knowledge and skills:
- Communication (12 hours): Category of courses that includes English composition, math, and speech
- Experience (12 hours): Category of courses that includes history and social/behavioral sciences
- Expression (9 hours): Category of courses that includes fine arts, literature, and humanities
- Inquiry (8 hours): Category of courses that includes physical, earth, and life sciences
Requirements in these Jax MIX categories align with state-mandated general studies courses. Students transferring in general studies should consult the Jax MIX Transfer Crosswalk for additional details.
Focus Options:
Students may choose a cluster of three courses (9 hours) as a Focus. Available focus options include:
These five focus options resonate with students and employers, so that students may choose a pathway through general education and to achieve 1) an accomplishment for a résumé and 2) first step towards a badged microcredential.
Every current undergraduate student may choose to pursue a Focus, regardless of their catalog year. Statewide articulation agreements mean that courses transferred from another Alabama institution, including community colleges, will be eligible for the Focus course clusters. Upon completion of Focus courses, students will see a course tag in Canvas Credentials, our badging software. A course tag may be awarded temporarily based on information in the Canvas gradebook; if final grades / course completion conflict with that course tag award, the tag may be removed later.
Each focus features a core course and two elective courses. Please see the corresponding tab for the requirements of each focus.
Jax MIX Badged Microcredentials
Microcredentials will be signified by a digital badge. Jax MIX microcredentials require a 3-course focus plus attendance at three events connected to that focus and a work product and reflection related to the focus. The “work product” may be a longer traditional project from any course, an internship, study abroad, research, community service, etc. Sample “work products” and more information about the guided reflection are available in the badge courses. Students planning to acquire a badge should enroll in the appropriate badge course in the semester planned for completion of the events and submission of the work product and reflection. Students may be awarded up to three (3) badges by enrolling in and passing the badge course:
- MIX 295 Community Engagement Badge
- MIX 296 Environmental Stewardship Badge
- MIX 297 Ethical Leadership Badge
- MIX 298 Global Connections Badge
- MIX 299 Media Literacy Badge
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Jax MIX Communication | 12 | |
| Students must complete a composition sequence (by placement), EH 141, and three semester hours in math as required by the major. | ||
| English Composition I 1 | ||
or EH 103 | Honors English Composition I | |
or EH 105 | Enhanced English Composition I | |
| English Composition II 1 | ||
or EH 104 | Honors English Composition II | |
or EH 106 | Enhanced English Composition II | |
| Speech | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| Finite Mathematics | ||
| Honors Finite Mathematics | ||
| Precalculus Algebra | ||
| Precalculus Trigonometry | ||
| Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry | ||
| Calculus and Its Applications | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Basic Statistics | ||
| Honors Basic Statistics | ||
| Calculus III | ||
| Jax MIX Expression | 9 | |
| Some programs specify which courses are required. Students must complete a minimum of three semester hours in fine arts and a minimum of three semester hours in literature. Students must complete a six-semester hour sequence in either literature or history. | ||
| Fine Arts | ||
| Survey of Art I | ||
| Survey of Art II (WI) | ||
| Creative Thinking | ||
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Honors Art Appreciation | ||
| Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
| Introduction to Film | ||
| Introduction to Music | ||
| Honors Introduction to Music | ||
| Advanced Intro to Music (WI) | ||
| Introduction to the Theatre | ||
| Honors Introduction to the Theatre | ||
| Literature and Humanities | ||
| American Literature I: Beginnings to 1865 | ||
| American Literature II: 1865 to Present | ||
| British Literature I: Beginnings to 1800 | ||
| British Literature II: 1800 to Present | ||
| Literature for Life I: Beginnings to 20th Century | ||
| Literature for Life II: 20th Century to Present | ||
| Honors Literature I | ||
| Honors Literature II | ||
| World Literature I: Beginnings to 1660 | ||
| World Literature II: 1660 to Present | ||
| Beginner's French I | ||
| Beginner's French II | ||
| Intermediate French I | ||
| Intermediate French II | ||
| Beginner Portuguese I | ||
| Beginner Portuguese II | ||
| Beginner's Spanish I | ||
| Beginner's Spanish II | ||
| Intermediate Spanish I | ||
| Intermediate Spanish II | ||
| Jax MIX Experience | 12 | |
| Some programs specify which courses are required. Students must complete a minimum of three semester hours in history. Students must complete a six-semester hour sequence in either literature or history. | ||
| History | ||
| Western Civilization I | ||
| Western Civilization II | ||
| Honors Western Civilization I | ||
| Honors Western Civilization II | ||
| World History I | ||
| World History II | ||
| American History I | ||
| American History II | ||
| Honors American History I | ||
| Honors American History II | ||
| Survey of Latin America to 1810 | ||
| Survey of Latin America since 1810 | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Archaeology | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Honors Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Honors Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| World Regional Geography | ||
| Human Geography | ||
| Introduction to American Government | ||
| Introduction to Political Science | ||
| Introduction to State and Local Government | ||
| Honors Introduction to American Government | ||
| Principles of Psychology | ||
| Honors Principles of Psychology | ||
| Human Development | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Honors Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Jax MIX Inquiry | 8 | |
| Some programs specify which courses are required. Students must complete eight semester hours of science, which must include two laboratory experiences. | ||
| Biology Lecture | ||
| Introductory Biology I | ||
| Introductory Biology II | ||
| Honors Introductory Biology I | ||
| Honors Introductory Biology II | ||
| Essentials of Biology | ||
| Biology of Disease | ||
| Environmental Biology | ||
| Biology Laboratories | ||
| Introductory Biology Lab I | ||
| Introductory Biology Lab II | ||
| Honors Introductory Biology Lab I | ||
| Honors Intro Biology Lab II | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
| Concepts of General Chemistry I | ||
| Concepts of General Chemistry II | ||
| Geology | ||
| Physical Geology and Physical Geology Lab | ||
| Historical Geology and Historical Geology Lab | ||
| Geography | ||
| Physical Geography I: Atmospheric Patterns and Processes and Physical Geography Lab I | ||
| Physical Geography II: Landscape Patterns and Processes and Physical Geography Lab II | ||
| Honors Physical Geography I: Atmospheric Patterns and Processes | ||
| Physics | ||
| College Physics I and College Physics Laboratory Techniques I | ||
| College Physics II and College Physics Laboratory Techniques II | ||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers I w/Lab | ||
| Physics for Scientists and Engineers II w/Lab | ||
Community Engagement Focus
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Course (select one): | 3 | |
| Introduction to State and Local Government | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Honors Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Elective Course (select one): | 3 | |
| Creative Thinking | ||
| Literature for Life I: Beginnings to 20th Century | ||
| Literature for Life II: 20th Century to Present | ||
| Beginner's French I | ||
| Beginner's French II | ||
| Intermediate French I | ||
| Intermediate French II | ||
| Beginner Portuguese I | ||
| Beginner Portuguese II | ||
| Beginner's Spanish I | ||
| Beginner's Spanish II | ||
| Intermediate Spanish I | ||
| Intermediate Spanish II | ||
| Elective Course (select one): | 3 | |
| Introduction to Archaeology | ||
| Biology of Disease | ||
| Human Geography | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Optional Microcredential Badge is available, see the overview for additional information.
Environmental Stewardship Focus
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Course (select one): | 3 | |
| Introductory Biology II | ||
| Honors Introductory Biology II | ||
| Environmental Biology | ||
| Elective Course (select one): | 3 | |
| Introductory Biology I | ||
| Honors Introductory Biology I | ||
| General Chemistry I | ||
| General Chemistry II | ||
| Concepts of General Chemistry I | ||
| Concepts of General Chemistry II | ||
| Elective Course (select one): | 3 | |
| Introduction to Archaeology | ||
| Creative Thinking | ||
| Literature for Life I: Beginnings to 20th Century | ||
| Literature for Life II: 20th Century to Present | ||
| Human Geography | ||
| Physical Geography I: Atmospheric Patterns and Processes | ||
| Physical Geography II: Landscape Patterns and Processes | ||
| Honors Physical Geography I: Atmospheric Patterns and Processes | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Optional Microcredential Badge is available, see the overview for additional information.
Ethical Leadership Focus
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Course: | ||
| EH 141 | Speech | 3 |
| Elective Course (select one): | 3 | |
| Introduction to Political Science | ||
| Principles of Psychology | ||
| Honors Principles of Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Honors Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Elective Course (select one): | 3 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Honors Art Appreciation | ||
| Literature for Life I: Beginnings to 20th Century | ||
| Literature for Life II: 20th Century to Present | ||
| Western Civilization I | ||
| Western Civilization II | ||
| Honors Western Civilization I | ||
| Honors Western Civilization II | ||
| World History I | ||
| World History II | ||
| American History I | ||
| American History II | ||
| Honors American History I | ||
| Honors American History II | ||
| Survey of Latin America to 1810 | ||
| Survey of Latin America since 1810 | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Optional Microcredential Badge is available, see the overview for additional information.
Global Connections Focus
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Course (select one): | 3 | |
| Beginner's French I | ||
| Beginner's French II | ||
| Intermediate French I | ||
| Intermediate French II | ||
| Beginner Portuguese I | ||
| Beginner Portuguese II | ||
| Beginner's Spanish I | ||
| Beginner's Spanish II | ||
| Intermediate Spanish I | ||
| Intermediate Spanish II | ||
| Elective Course (select one): | 3 | |
| World Regional Geography | ||
| Introduction to Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Archaeology | ||
| World History I | ||
| World History II | ||
| Survey of Latin America to 1810 | ||
| Survey of Latin America since 1810 | ||
| Elective Course (select one): | 3 | |
| World Literature I: Beginnings to 1660 | ||
| World Literature II: 1660 to Present | ||
| Introduction to Film | ||
| Introduction to Music | ||
| Honors Introduction to Music | ||
| Advanced Intro to Music (WI) | ||
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Honors Art Appreciation | ||
| Introduction to the Theatre | ||
| Honors Introduction to the Theatre | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Optional Microcredential Badge is available, see the overview for additional information.
Media Literacy Focus
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Course (select one): | 3 | |
| English Composition II | ||
| Honors English Composition II | ||
| Enhanced English Composition II | ||
| Elective Course (select one): | 3 | |
| Survey of Art I | ||
| Survey of Art II (WI) | ||
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Honors Art Appreciation | ||
| Introduction to Film | ||
| Introduction to Music | ||
| Honors Introduction to Music | ||
| Advanced Intro to Music (WI) | ||
| Introduction to the Theatre | ||
| Honors Introduction to the Theatre | ||
| Elective Course (select one): | 3 | |
| Introduction to American Government | ||
| Honors Introduction to American Government | ||
| Basic Statistics | ||
| Honors Basic Statistics | ||
| Principles of Psychology | ||
| Honors Principles of Psychology | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Optional Microcredential Badge is available, see the overview for additional information.