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Volume 51, Issue 9 | Thursday, September 1, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com
Committee releases final report Latest step in core curriculum review process regroups course requirements, rethinks AP credits Observer Staff Report
After taking feedback on a draft report released in November, the Core Curriculum Rev iew Committee released its final report Wednesday by committee co-chairs Michael Hildreth and John McGreev y in separate emails to the facult y and student body. The report recommended
changes to the Universit y’s undergraduate course requirements and policies and is the result of a t wo-year curriculum rev iew process. Its recommendations may be implemented for the class of 2022. The major changes recommended in the report are a reduction in the number of required math and science courses and a modification
of the requirements relating to the arts, humanities and social sciences. Currently, an undergraduate student is required to take t wo courses each in math and science, and a course each in histor y, social science and the fine arts or literature. Under the changes to the math and science requirements outlined in the report, a student would take
one class each in “quantitative reasoning” and “science and technolog y,” and one additional course in either. A student also would choose one course in art, literature or advanced language and culture, one course in histor y or social science and one integration course or a course in an undetermined “way of know ing.” The report recommends
continuing to require students to take t wo theolog y courses, the Moreau First Year Experience course and a Universit y seminar in the first year. The report also recommends continuing to require students to take a foundational philosophy course but allows a student to take either a see REPORT PAGE 5
Saint Mary’s receives patent By NICOLE CARATAS Saint Mary’s Editor
The pharmaceutical industry is littered with different drugs and different versions of those drugs. While most ingredients serve a purpose, sometimes, the pharmaceuticals manufacturers buy ingredients that are of lowquality or even inactive that lower the effectiveness of the
CHRIS COLLINS | The Observer
Junior Brian Pulawski uses his phone to play Pokemon Go on God Quad. The brand, which originated in the 1990s, has been experiencing a popularity renewal after it was adapted for smartphones.
Pokemon Go sweeps ND By NATALIE WEBER News Writer
For those born during the 1990s, the word “monster” might not have conjured images of a malevolent creature lurking in the closet or under the bed. Rather, it might have described a much more pleasant part of childhood: Pokemon. This summer, Pokemon Go, an augmented reality game, allowed those who loved Pokemon as kids to reconnect with their childhood and introduced a new generation to the game. Notre Dame students staying on campus over the summer
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were no exception. Seniors Debbie Greif and Julia Tombari first saw the trailer for Pokemon Go when it debuted in September 2015. Tombari said the game was supposed to be released in February but was pushed back. “That was disappointing,” Greif said. “And then we thought it was going to be May.” It wasn’t. It was mid-June before the game was demoed at the E3 trade conference, with a tentative mid-July release date. Pokemon Go instead came out in early July. “I heard about it within 20 minutes,” Greif said.
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Players earn points and level up in Pokemon Go by collecting Pokemon and supplies. Once the player reaches Level 5, they can join one of three teams: Team Mystic, Team Instinct or Team Valor. The teams battle to dominate gyms, which are landmarks where players can go to battle others with their Pokemon. There are several Pokemon gyms on campus, including Main Circle, “Touchdown Jesus” and Alumni Stadium. Tombari and Greif plan on starting a club this year to allow see POKEMON PAGE 5
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drug. To solve this issue, Saint Mary’s professor of chemistry and physics Toni Barstis worked with Notre Dame professor of chemistry and biochemistry Marya Lieberman, Notre Dame Duda Family professor of engineering Patrick Flynn and a team of Saint Mary’s researchers to see PATENT PAGE 5
Goodwin to lecture at SMC Observer Staff Report
The Saint Mary’s department of humanistic studies announced presidential historian and Pulitzer Prizewinning author Doris Kearns Goodwin as this year’s speaker for the Christian Culture Lecture on Oct. 4. According to a press release, Goodwin, called “America’s historian-in-chief,” will explain and analyze the U.S. presidency and discuss how Christianity has influenced governing practices during the lecture. Goodwin, who wrote awardwinning biographies about Lyndon B. Johnson, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard
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Taft, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, will tell stories “that illuminate the inner complexities of American leaders,” the press release stated. “We are thrilled and honored to welcome Doris Kearns Goodw in to Saint Mar y’s,” professor of humanistic studies John Shinners said in the press release. “It’s especially exciting to have her here to share her insights just a month before the upcoming historic national election.” According to the release, Goodw in worked w ith Steven Spielberg on the see GOODWIN PAGE 5
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