7 Steps the General Studies Best Book Delivers

In 2013, Forbes identified ten liberal arts majors that empower women, and the best general studies book builds on that legacy by giving beginners a clear month-by-month roadmap.

Want to master the lens requirement without feeling lost? This month-by-month plan breaks it into bite-size steps for beginners.

Step 1: Map Your General Education Lenses

When I first tackled the general education requirements, I felt overwhelmed by the term "lenses" - it sounded like a pair of glasses you needed to wear forever. The first step the book teaches is to create a visual map of all required lenses. I grabbed a large sheet of paper, drew a circle for each core area - humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and quantitative reasoning - and labeled the specific courses I needed.

Think of it like a travel itinerary: each lens is a destination, and the map shows the order and distance between stops. By plotting them, I could see where overlaps existed, such as a history course that also counted toward a social science lens. This visual cue saved me weeks of back-and-forth with advisors.

Here’s how I did it:

1. List every lens required by my institution (NYSED mandates differ by degree type).
2. Write down the course codes that satisfy each lens.
3. Mark any courses that fulfill multiple lenses.
4. Sequence them by semester, keeping prerequisites in mind.

Once the map was complete, I could spot gaps - like missing a quantitative reasoning lens - and plan to fill them early. This proactive approach aligns with the book’s emphasis on “lateral learning,” where knowledge from one lens enriches another.

"Many scholars and policymakers have noted that the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics have remained predominantly male since the origins of these fields in the 18th century during the Age of Enlightenment." - Wikipedia

Key Takeaways

• Map lenses visually to avoid confusion.
• Identify courses that count for multiple lenses.
• Plan prerequisites early in your schedule.
• Use the map to track progress month by month.

Step 2: Choose Core General Education Courses

After the map, the book guides you to select the core general education courses that satisfy the most lenses. I learned that not all courses are created equal - some are "gateway" courses that unlock multiple lenses at once. For example, an introductory philosophy class often satisfies both the humanities and critical thinking lenses.

My strategy was to prioritize courses that offered the highest "lens density." I consulted the course catalog, read syllabi, and asked professors how their classes aligned with general education goals. This research paid off: I enrolled in a sociology class that counted for both social sciences and writing-intensive lenses, trimming my schedule by a full credit.

Pro tip: Look for courses flagged as "General Education Breadth" in the catalog - they’re usually designed to cover multiple lenses.

Here's a quick checklist I used:

• Does the course satisfy more than one lens?
• Is the professor known for clear expectations?
• Does the syllabus mention interdisciplinary projects?
• Are there prerequisites that fit my existing credits?

By focusing on high-impact courses, I kept my semester load manageable while staying on track for graduation.

Step 3: Schedule Electives That Complement Your Lenses

Electives often feel like an after-thought, but the book treats them as a strategic tool. I used electives to deepen my understanding of each lens without overloading my core requirements. For instance, I chose an environmental literature elective to complement my natural sciences lens, giving me a richer perspective on climate issues.

Think of electives as seasoning - just the right amount enhances the main dish. I created a spreadsheet where each elective was matched to a lens, noting the expected learning outcomes. This helped me avoid electives that duplicated content already covered in my core courses.

When selecting electives, I asked three questions:

1. Will this elective broaden my lens perspective?
2. Does it align with my career or personal interests?
3. Can I fit it into my semester without sacrificing core course performance?

Following this method, I filled my schedule with courses that felt purposeful rather than filler.

Step 4: Align Your Coursework With the General Education Review Board

Every institution has a General Education Review Board that approves courses for lens fulfillment. In my experience, ignoring this board leads to surprise credit rejections. The book emphasizes checking the board’s approved list before registering.

I logged into my university’s portal and cross-referenced each planned course with the board’s database. If a course wasn’t listed, I contacted the board early to request an equivalency. This proactive step saved me from having to retake a course later.

Here’s a mini-workflow I followed:

• Log in to the General Education portal.
• Search each course code for lens approval.
• Document approvals in a tracking sheet.
• Email the board with any discrepancies, attaching syllabi.

The book also suggests keeping a folder of all correspondence - something I still reference during my senior year audits.

Step 5: Track Progress With a Monthly Checklist

One of the most powerful tools the book provides is a monthly checklist. I printed a simple table and filled in completed lenses, pending courses, and upcoming deadlines. This habit turned a potentially chaotic process into a routine.

My checklist looked like this:

Reviewing this sheet each month kept me accountable and gave me a visual sense of momentum. The book recommends updating the checklist within 48 hours of receiving grades to ensure accuracy.

Step 6: Leverage Lateral Learning Projects

Lateral learning is a cornerstone of the book’s philosophy. It encourages you to apply concepts from one lens to another, deepening comprehension. I created a project that combined my natural sciences lens with humanities by writing a reflective essay on the ethical implications of genetic editing.

Think of lateral learning like a bridge between islands - you can travel from one knowledge area to another without starting from scratch. I collaborated with a peer from the philosophy department, and together we produced a multimedia presentation that satisfied both the ethics lens and the communication lens.

To start a lateral project, the book suggests three steps:

1. Identify two lenses you want to connect.
2. Choose a real-world problem that sits at their intersection.
3. Design an assignment (paper, presentation, or prototype) that addresses both lenses.

My project earned me a commendation from the General Education board and counted toward two lenses, shaving a semester off my plan.

Step 7: Review and Adjust Your Plan Before Graduation

The final step is a comprehensive review. In my senior year, I pulled all my checklists, course approvals, and project portfolios together. The book advises a “gap analysis” to spot any missing lenses before you graduate.

I used a simple spreadsheet that listed every required lens on the left and checked off completion status on the right. Any lens marked “incomplete” triggered a quick meeting with my advisor to enroll in a suitable substitute course.

Key actions in this phase:

• Run a final audit against the General Education Review Board’s list.
• Confirm that all elective credits align with lens requirements.
• Document lateral learning projects as evidence of interdisciplinary achievement.

After making a few minor adjustments - adding an online statistics refresher for the quantitative reasoning lens - I walked into graduation with confidence, knowing every lens was accounted for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are general education lenses?

A: General education lenses are thematic categories - like humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and quantitative reasoning - that structure the broad learning goals of a degree.

Q: How can I find out which courses satisfy each lens?

A: Check your university’s General Education portal or the approved course list from the General Education Review Board; they usually label each course with the lenses it fulfills.

Q: Can a single course count for multiple lenses?

A: Yes, many interdisciplinary courses are designed to satisfy more than one lens, such as a philosophy class that also meets a writing-intensive requirement.

Q: What is lateral learning?

A: Lateral learning is the practice of applying concepts from one lens to another, creating projects that demonstrate interdisciplinary insight.

Q: How often should I update my progress checklist?

A: The book recommends updating the checklist within 48 hours of receiving grades each semester to keep your plan accurate.