Liberal Studies Core Curriculum

LIBERAL STUDIES CORE – THE HEART OF THE “ONE GANNON STUDENT” EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

The importance of liberal education for living a good life, participating in meaningful work, and engaging in active citizenship permeates the university traditions of both Catholicism and the United States. Situated within both traditions, Gannon University’s heritage and identity, which includes Villa Maria College and Cathedral College, are manifest through its dedication to providing quality liberal education. Today, Gannon continues its long tradition of delivering a quality Liberal Education for its students through “a comprehensive, values-centered learning experience that emphasizes faith, leadership, inclusiveness and social responsibility” that is “inspired by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.” (Gannon University Mission Statement). The Liberal Studies Core Curriculum establishes a curricular structure that seeks to enhance the student’s academic experience and integrate a student’s academic experience with life, career, and citizenship. The Liberal Studies Core Curriculum is designed to 1) better connect with a student’s major/program and career; 2) more fully integrate the present-day experience, concerns, and interests of the student with Liberal Studies courses; 3) allow the student greater flexibility when choosing courses; and 4) support obtaining a minor using the Liberal Studies Core Curriculum. The Liberal Studies Core shares the Gannon University Undergraduate Student Learning Outcomes (the educational goals the university hopes to encourage every undergraduate student to achieve, regardless of major field of study): 1. Students apply themes of Catholic Social Teaching and the dimensions of the Catholic

Intellectual Tradition. 2. Students demonstrate proficiency in knowledge and skills in academic disciplines. 3. Students communicate effectively through various means. 4. Students demonstrate aesthetic, quantitative, and scientific reasoning. 5. Students synthesize their academic learning with learning outside the classroom. 6. Students demonstrate a holistic understanding of wellness. 7. Students apply value-centered leadership skills. 8. Students demonstrate intercultural competence and self-awareness. 9. Students demonstrate social responsibility.

Overview of the Liberal Studies Core Curriculum

Building upon the above fundamental sources of authority, the Liberal Studies Core provides a curriculum that supports the opportunity for students to develop broad knowledge (the attainment of facts, truths, or principles through study or investigation of a science, art or technique), skills (the ability to use one’s knowledge gained through academic and co-academic learning experiences in practice), and competencies (the demonstration of sufficient possession and application of acquired knowledge and skills). The Foundational Core provides the initial critical knowledge, skills, and competencies for integrated learning across disciplines and within a student’s area of study. The foundational core will be required in a student’s first year of study and provides a common starting point for engaging with Liberal Education at a Catholic University. In particular, each student will develop foundational knowledge, skills, and competencies in writing and communication, critical thinking, ethics, faith and reason, and Catholic Social Teaching. The Foundational Core consists of three prescribed course. The Integrative Core supports learning across the curriculum by connecting, synthesizing, and transferring knowledge, skills, and competencies

to new and complex situations and experiences. The Integrative Core builds on the knowledge, skills, and competencies introduced in the Foundational Core and seeks to deepen, integrate, and develop them into a student’s life, career, and sense of citizenship. The Integrative Core is made up of requirements that can be fulfilled through a variety of courses. Each course in the Integrative Core can only fulfill a single designated requirement. Up to 7 credits of the “Reasoning” requirements may be met in a student’s major. The Vocational Core connects the knowledge, skills, and competencies developed in Foundational and Integrative Cores with learning experiences within a student’s particular field of study or other professional courses. Additional Requirements are courses offered that also meet the designation of “Writing Intensive” or “Wellness.” Both requirements are met through courses that have the necessary additional objectives and can be taken in the integrative core, vocational core, or major course work.

Foundational Core

3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr.

9 cr.

Foundational English Foundational Philosophy Foundational Theology

Total

Integrative Core

3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 cr. 3 to 4 cr.

27 to 28 cr.

Integrative Communication Integrative English Integrative History Integrative Philosophy Integrative Theology Global Citizenship Quantitative Reasoning Aesthetic Reasoning Scientific Reasoning

Total (up to 7 reasoning credits can be met in major)

Vocational Core

3 cr. Professional Communication

3 cr.

Professional Ethics/Leadership

6 cr. Total Additional Requirements

Writing Intensive (one course designated “Writing Intensive”) Wellness (two courses designated “Wellness”)

FOUNDATIONAL CORE COURSES

ENGL 101 Foundations of Academic Writing

Foundations of Academic Writing focuses on understanding writing, rhetoric, language, and literacy. It asks students to write and revise for various rhetorical situations while helping them investigate, expand, and apply their knowledge of writing.

PHIL 101 Philosophy and the Good Life

The foundational course Philosophy and the Good Life develops critical thinking, explores the fundamental questions of human existence, and examines ethical living. The course provides students the opportunity to engage the philosophical ideas that have shaped human history and global cultures. Through engagement with the foundational branches of philosophy and ideas of the key philosophers, students will develop critical thinking skills, inquire into existential questions, and reflect on what constitutes a meaningful and good life.