Find Your Focus

You may choose a cluster of three courses (9 hours) as a focus. This invites you to make a general education plan that completes state requirements, while also 1) achieving an accomplishment for your résumé and 2) earning part of a Jax MIX badged microcredential. Please note, you are limited to earning three Jax MIX badged microcredentials. 

Current undergraduate students 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, are eligible for the focus clusters. 

Upon completion of a focus course, you 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. Available focus options include Community Engagement, Environmental Stewardship, Ethical Leadership, Global Connections, and Media Literacy.

Community Engagement
Environmental Stewardship
Ethical Leadership
Global Connections
Media Literacy

Community Engagement Focus

Learn about community needs, implementing initiatives, and effective community interventions.

Core course(s) (choose one):
  • PSC 102 Introduction to State and Local Government OR
  • SY 221 Introduction to Sociology
  • SY 222 Honors Introduction to Sociology
Elective Course: (choose one)
  • ART 130 Creative Thinking OR
  • EH 205/206 Literature for Life (with topic that corresponds to community engagement) OR
  • Foreign Language (choose one):
    • FH 101 Beginner’s French I
    • FH 102 Beginner’s French II
    • FH 201Intermediate French I
    • FH 202 Intermediate French II
    • LAS 101 Beginner Portuguese I
    • LAS 102 Beginner Portuguese II
    • SH 101 Beginner’s Spanish I
    • SH 102 Beginner’s Spanish II
    • SH 201 Intermediate Spanish I
    • SH 202 Intermediate Spanish II
Elective Course: (choose one)
  • AN 224 Intro to Anthropology OR
  • BY 122 Biology of Disease OR
  • GY 220 Human Geography

Environmental Stewardship

Discover the interconnections between natural systems and human activities; explore solutions that balance ecological responsibility and social equity.

Core course(s) (Choose one):
  • BY 123 Environmental Biology OR
  • BY 102 Intro Biology II OR
  • BY 106 Honors Introductory Biology II
Elective Course: (choose one) BY or CY Lecture:
  • BY 101 Introductory Biology I OR
  • BY 105 Honors Introductory Biology I OR
  • CY 105 General Chemistry I OR
  • CY 106 General Chemistry II OR
  • CY 115 Concepts of General Chemistry I OR
  • CY 116 Concepts of General Chemistry II OR
Elective Course 3: (Choose one)
  • AN 225 Intro to Archaeology OR
  • ART 130 Creative Thinking OR
  • EH 205/206 Literature for Life (with topic that corresponds to Environmental Stewardship) OR
  • GY 250 Physical Geography I OR
  • GY 254 (Honors) Physical Geography I OR
  • GY 251 Physical Geography II OR
  • GY 220 Human Geography

Ethical Leadership

Develop ethical awareness and leadership skills necessary for responsible decision-making and organizational success in contemporary society.

Core course:
  • EH141 Speech
Course 2: (Choose one course from list)
  • PSC 101 Intro to Political Science OR
  • PSY201 Principles of Psychology OR
  • PSY 202 Honors Principles of Psychology OR
  • SY 221 Intro to Sociology OR
  • SY 222 Honors Intro to Sociology
Course 3: (Choose one course from list)
  • ART 202 Art Appreciation OR
  • ART 203 Honors Art Appreciation OR
  • EH 205/206 Literature for Life (with topic that corresponds to community engagement) OR
  • HY 101 Western Civilization I OR
  • HY 103 Honors Western Civilization I OR
  • HY 102 Western Civilization II OR
  • HY 104 Honors Western Civilization II OR
  • HY 111 World History I OR
  • HY 112 Worlds History II OR
  • HY 201 American History I OR
  • HY 203 Honors American History I OR
  • HY 202 American History II OR
  • HY 204 Honors American History II OR
  • HY 211 Survey of Latin America to 1810 OR
  • HY 212 Survey of Latin America since 1810

Global Connections

Discover various cultural perspectives and the importance of diverse human identities and conditions historically and globally.

Core Course(s) (choose one):
  • Foreign Language:
    • FH 101 Beginner’s French I OR
    • FH 102 Beginner’s French II OR
    • FH 201Intermediate French I OR
    • FH 202 Intermediate French II OR
    • LAS 101 Beginner Portuguese I OR
    • LAS 102 Beginner Portuguese II OR
    • SH 101 Beginner’s Spanish I OR
    • SH 102 Beginner’s Spanish II OR
    • SH 201 Intermediate Spanish I OR
    • SH 202 Intermediate Spanish II OR
Elective Course: (Choose one):
  • AN 224 Intro to Anthropology OR
  • AN 225 Intro to Archaeology OR
  • GY 120 World Regional Geography OR
  • HY 111 World History I OR
  • HY 112 World History II OR
  • HY 211 Survey of Latin America to 1810 OR
  • HY 212 Survey of Latin America since 1810
Elective Course: (Choose one):
  • ART 202 Art Appreciation OR
  • ART 203 Honors Art Appreciation OR
  • EH 231 World Literature I: Beginnings to 1660 OR
  • EH 232 World Literature II: 1660 to Present OR
  • FLM 230 Introduction to Film OR
  • MU 233 Introduction to Music OR
  • MU 236 Honors Introduction to Music OR
  • MU 237 Advanced Intro to Music OR
  • THR 242 Introduction to the Theatre OR
  • THR 252 Honors Introduction to the Theatre

Media Literacy

Identify credible sources, recognize misinformation, and navigate responsible consumption of a variety of resources, references, and media.

Core course(s) (Choose one):
  • EH 102 English Composition II OR
  • EH 104 Honors English Composition II OR
  • EH 106 Enhanced English Composition II
Elective Course (Choose one):
  • ART 111 Survey of Art I OR
  • ART 112 Survey of Art II OR
  • ART 202 Art Appreciation OR
  • ART 203 Honors Art Appreciation OR
  • FLM 230 Introduction to Film OR
  • MU 233 Introduction to Music OR
  • MU 236 Honors Introduction to Music OR
  • MU 237 Advanced Intro to Music OR
  • THR 242 Introduction to the Theatre OR
  • THR 252 Honors Introduction to the Theatre
Elective Course (Choose one):
  • MS 204 Basic Statistics OR
  • MS 205 Honors Basic Statistics OR
  • PSC 100 Introduction to American Government OR
  • PSC 103 Honors Introduction to American Government OR
  • PSY 201 Principles of Psychology OR
  • PSY 202 Honors Principles of Psychology