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General Education: The Human Community is the common core academic program of James Madison University, in which students come to understand how distinct disciplines look at the world from different vantage points. Courses in The Human Community are organized into five clusters, each emphasizing unique tools, rationales, and methodologies. Taken together, courses in a student's chosen major and The Human Community complement and complete each other. Both are integral and essential components of a student's full and proper education. 

In the Liberal Arts tradition, General Education: The Human Community aspires to create informed global citizens of the 21st century. We challenge our community of students and faculty to engage in personal and collective reflection, development, and action.  

Assessing General Education 

CARS provides support for the development and refinement of Cluster goals and objectives. One of the most important roles of CARS is to work with Dr. Margaret Mulrooney, Senior Associate Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Equity, Office of VPFAC; the five Cluster Coordinators and committees; and faculty to design ways to assess General Education at JMU. CARS faculty serve as liaisons and active members to each Cluster Committee and the General Education Council. 

Cluster Liaisons  

Cluster 1: Skills for the 21st Century 

Sarah Brooks, Cluster Coordinator  
Yu Bao, Assessment Liaison

Cluster 3: the Natural World  
 
Elizabeth Brown, Cluster Coordinator 
John Hathcoat, Assessment Liaison 

Cluster 5: Individuals in the Human Community  
 
Kethera Moore, Cluster Coordinator 
Yu Bao, Assessment Liaison 

Cluster 2: Arts and Humanities 

Dennis Beck, Cluster Coordinator 
John Hathcoat, Assessment Liaison 

Cluster 4: Social and Cultural Processes 
 
Kayla Yurco, Interim Cluster Four Coordinator
Christine DeMars, Assessment Liaison

After Assessment Day and other data collection events, CARS generates reports for JMU's internal use as well as for external stakeholders such as the State Council for Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV).

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