Rider University - Core Curriculum Requirements

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Core Curriculum Requirements

The core curriculum is designed to provide an integrated approach to the study of the liberal arts. The curriculum examines a single theme from a variety of perspectives, emphasizing the relationships of knowledge and values and respect for different points of view.

The core applies to all students matriculated in the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences. It is expected that the core curriculum requirements will be completed by the end of the sophomore year. Courses taken as part of the core cannot be used to fulfill requirements of a major or a minor unless a department permits it.

Core Curriculum Requirements (42-43 semester hours)
English writing	6-9 Credits
CMP 115 Introduction to Expository Writing	3
CMP 120 Expository Writing	3
One of the following: CMP 125 Research Writing OR CMP 203 Literature and Composition	3
Note: CMP 115 will be waived for students who attain a 530 or a specified qualifying score on the English Department placement test.

Reading	0 - 2 SPUs
CRC 101S Introduction to Academic Reading
Note: Required only of those students who attain a SAT Critical Reading Score of 470 or below.

Foreign Language	6 Credits
100/101 Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian, or Spanish I/II
Note: Part or all of this requirement may be waived upon demonstration of proficiency. To initiate a request for a waiver, students should see the chairperson of Foreign Language and Literatures Department.

Mathematics	3-4 Credits
One course from the following: MTH 102 Elements of Finite Mathematics MTH 105 Algebra and Trigonometry MTH 210 Calculus I
Note: Appropriate mathematics courses may be substituted if required by the major.

Science	6 Credits
Two courses from the following: BIO 100 Life Science: Human Emphasis BIO 101 Life Science: Cell Biology and Genetics Emphasis BIO 103 Life Science: Ecobotanical Emphasis BIO 106 Life Science: Human Disease Emphasis BIO 108 Life Science: The Biology of Human Aging BPY 107 Life Science: Biopsychology Emphasis CHE 100 Introduction to College Chemistry CHE 115 Chemistry and Contemporary Society GEO 100 Earth Systems Sciences GEO 113 Environmental Geology MAR 120 Oceanography MAR 2xx Introduction to Field Marine Science PHY 103 Science of Light and Color PHY 104 Energy, the Environment, and Man PHY 180 Astronomy PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology
Note: Appropriate science courses may be substituted if required by the major.

Social Sciences and Communication	6 Credits
Two courses from the following: POL 100 Introduction to American Politics or POL 101 Understanding Politics SOC 101 The Sociological Imagination SOC 110 Cultural Anthropology COM 105 Mass Media Communication ECO 200 Principles of Macroeconomics or ECO 201 Principles of Microeconomics

History	6 Credits
HIS 150 World History to 1500
HIS 151 World History since 1500

Humanities	9 Credits
Fine Arts One course from the following: ART 104 Survey of Art History I ART 106 Survey of Art History II ART 120 Art and Society ART 199 The Arts in Contemporary Civilization MUS 105 Survey of Music History I MUS 106 Survey of Music History II MUS 120 Music and Society MUS 199 The Arts in Comtemporary Civilization THE 105 Theatre History to 1700 THE 106 Theatre History since 1700 THE 120 Theatre Appreciation THE 199 The Arts in Contemporary Civilization
Literature One course from the following: ENG 205 Understanding Literature ENG 210 Major American Authors ENG 211 Major British Authors ENG 213 Literature and Mythology ENG 215 Satire and Comedy ENG 217 Introduction to Shakespeare ENG 220 Literature and Society ENG 221 Literature and Psychology ENG 228 Black American Literature ENG 229 Multi-Ethnic Literature in America ENG 230 Women in Literature ENG 270 Major Poets ENG 290 The Shore Story LAW 204 Law, Literature and Film in America LIT 250/251 Masterworks of World Literature I/II LIT 310 Russian Literature from 988-1850 LIT 311 Russian Literature from 1850-1917 LIT 312 20th Century Russian Literature LIT 313 Contemporary Russian Literature LIT 315 Tolstoy LIT 317 Dostoevsky Any literature course in French, German, or Spanish in the foreign language
Philosophy One course from the following: Any course in the philosophy department AMS 227 The Philosophy of Martin Luther King, Jr

Please see the Academic Catalogs for more information, including course descriptions.

Disclaimer: This information is taken from a recent published version of a Rider University academic catalog or manual, though not necessarily the most recent. Please be aware that, while the University makes reasonable efforts to keep website material current and correct, this information is subject to the University's academic policy committees, relevant accreditation organizations, and (in some instances) state and federal laws and regulations. For this and other reasons it may be subject to change at any time without notice and without being immediately reflected on the Web site.