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Core Curriculum

The Core curriculum is divided into three levels and is designed to be completed over the period of time needed to meet the requirements for the baccalaureate degree. Level I-Foundations provides the basic skills essential for effective participation in other classes as well as the professional world. Level II-Heritage, the Contemporary World and Self addresses the breadth of knowledge expected of a liberal arts education. Level III-Application and Integration challenges the student to integrate prior knowledge and create new ideas through interdisciplinary coursework. Level III classes are open only to students who have completed Level I and fifteen hours of coursework in Level II.

LEVEL I – FOUNDATIONS

Goal: Demonstrate basic skills as an essential foundation for effective learning in the University environment.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

Employ active listening techniques
Read a document and demonstrate an understanding of its written and quantitative content
Make a clear, well-organized verbal presentation
Write a clear, well-organized paper, using documentation and quantitative tools, when appropriate
Use group process skills
Know mathematics as an art, a science and a language
Understand and use information systems

Coursework

CO 110	Fundamentals of Communication	(3 hr)
EN 111 OR 112	Composition I or II	(3 hr)
FS 101	First-Year Seminar (First-year students only)	(1 hr)
MA 115	Finite Mathematics OR	(3-5 hrs)
MA 120	College Algebra OR
MA 241	Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
	Computer competency as determined by major
	TOTAL for Level I :	10-12 hrs.

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LEVEL II - HERITAGE, THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD, AND SELF

History Goal: Demonstrate an understanding of the human experience from an historical perspective.

Intended Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge of:

Western and non-western experience from a historical perspective
Physical, economic and social geography
Cultural diversity in U.S. and world
U.S. history

Coursework (3 hr)
HI 111 World Civilizations I
HI 112 World Civilizations II
HI 121 The American Experience I
HI 122 The American Experience II

Literature Goal: Demonstrate an understanding of literature representing diverse cultures and the literary terminology necessary to its interpretation.

Intended Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge of:

Cultural diversity in U.S. and world
Western and non-western experience from a historical perspective
U.S. history and literature
Literature and language through experiential and intellectual understanding of elements and principles
Writers and their influence on the development of civilization

Coursework (3 hr)
EN 265 Literature & Culture
EN 271 African-American Literature
EN/WS 275 Women and Literature

Religious Studies & Philosophy Goal: Demonstrate knowledge of philosophers, theologians, and other great thinkers and their influence on the development of civilization.

Intended Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge of:

Major ethical theories
The Judeo-Christian tradition
Philosophers, theologians and other great thinkers and their influence on the development of civilization
A personal value system as a framework for ethical decision making and behavior

Coursework (9 hr in 2 areas)
PL 111 Introduction to Philosophy
PL 255 Ethics
RS 111 Introduction to Religious Studies
RS 113 Introduction to the New Testament
RS 117 World Religions
RS 215 Introduction to the Old Testament
RS 225 Catholicism
RS 227 The Historical Jesus
RS 233 American Religious History or
Level III Course in Religious Studies/Philosophy
Only one Level III course may be used to meet the Level II Religious Studies/Philosophy requirement.

Art/Music/Theatre Goal: Articulate an understanding of the arts through experiential and intellectual responses.

Intended Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge of:

The arts through experiential and intellectual understanding of their elements and principles
Articulated responses to aesthetic experiences

Coursework (3 hr)
AR 110 Introduction to Art
AR 181 Survey of Art I
AR 183 Survey of Art II
MU 110 Music Appreciation
TR 110 Theatre Appreciation
TR 223 History and Literature of Theatre

Natural Science Goal: Demonstrate fundamental understanding of the scientific process applying knowledge from at least one scientific discipline.

Intended Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge of:

The nature and limits of science
Atomic and molecular basis of all matter
Physical laws of nature or
Concepts that characterize and govern living systems

Coursework (4 hr)
BI 111 General Biology I
BI 112 General Biology II
CH 115 Molecules That Matter
CH 131 General Chemistry I
NS 221 Physical Geology
NS 231 Descriptive Meteorology
PH 117 Physics Concepts
PH 232 General Physics II

Social Institutions Goal: Demonstrate an understanding of the functioning of various social institutions, how they are related to each other and how they impact lives.

Intended Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge of:

Diverse political, social and economic systems
Function, structure and interrelationships of political, social and economic systems of the U.S. Ways to demonstrate civic responsibility

Coursework (3 hr)
BU 230 Personal Financial Management
BU 305 Legal Aspects of Business I
EC 195 Survey of Economics
EC 201 Principles of Macroeconomics
PS 120 American National Government
SO 101 Introduction to Sociology*
SW 205 Social Problems/Social Change

Self and Society Goal:Demonstrate an understanding of individual or group behavior and cultural diversity through application to key social problems.

Intended Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge of:

Theories which describe or explain individual and group behavior Cultural diversity in U.S. and world
Key social problems
Ways to demonstrate social responsibility

Coursework (3 hr)
AN 122 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology CO 212 Conflict Resolution
CO 225 Mass Media and Society
PY 101 General Psychology
PY 224 Human Relations in Organizations PY/WS 314 Psychology of Gender
SO 101 Introduction to Sociology*

*If Sociology is taken in one area, it may not be taken in the other area.

TOTAL for Level II 25-28 hrs.

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LEVEL III - APPLICATIONS AND INTEGRATION

Goal: Demonstrate the ability to effectively integrate, synthesize and communicate knowledge from at least two disciplines.

Level III Courses are Interdisciplinary courses that cross disciplines from any two or more areas of the university and are taught at the 310 level or above. They reflect the unique talents and interests of the faculty, use primary sources, address university outcomes and emphasize higher level thinking skills. Students may register for Level III courses only after completing Level I requirements and 15 credit hours of Level II. Only one Level III course may be used to meet the Level II Religious Studies/Philosophy requirement. See Interdisciplinary Studies-IS.

TOTAL for Level III 6 hrs.

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