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
CMP-115 Introduction to Expository Writing 3
CMP 120

BHP 100		 Expository Writing
or
Honors Seminar: Great Ideas I		 3

CMP 125

CMP 203

BHP-150

Research Writing
or
Literature and Composition
or
Honors Seminar: Great Ideas II

 3
* CMP-115 will be waived for students who attain a 530 or above on the writing section and 500 or above on the critical reading section of the SAT or a score of 4 or above on the English Department placement test.
 
 Reading** (0–2 Supplemental Education Units) 
CRC 101S Introduction to Academic Reading 

** Required only of those students who do not pass the reading placement test.

 
 Foreign Language*** 6
100/101 Chinese, French, German, Italian, Russian, or Spanish I, II  
 *** Students who place at the 200-level or above are still expected to take a minimum of 3 credits at the level of placement.
Students who are native speakers of other languages may have their requirement waived upon documentation of proficiency. To initiate a request for a waiver, students should see the chairperson of the foreign language department. 
 
Mathematics†
One course from the following:		 3-4
MTH 102

Elements of Finite Mathematics

  
MTH 105

Algebra and Trigonometry

  
MTH 210

Calculus I

  
 
Science†
Two courses from the following:		 6
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

  
BNS 107

Life Science: Behavioral Neuroscience

  
CHE 100

Introduction to College Chemistry

  
CHE 115

Chemistry and Contemporary Society

  
GEO 100

Earth Systems Sciences

  
GEO 113

Environmental Geology

  
GEO-168

Mesozoic Ruling Reptiles

  
MAR 120

Oceanography

  
MAR 2xx

Introduction to Field Marine Sciences

  
PHY 103

Science of Light and Color

  
PHY 104

Energy, the Environment, and Man

  
PHY 180 Astronomy  
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology  
† Appropriate mathematics and science courses may be substituted if required by the major.
 
Social Sciences and Communication
Two courses from the following:		 6
POL 100

POL 101

Introduction to American Politics
or
Understanding Politics

  
SOC 101

The Sociological Imagination

  
SOC 110

Cultural Anthropology

  
COM 105

Mass Media Communication

  
ECO 200

ECO 201

Principles of Macroeconomics
or
Principles of Microeconomics

  
 
History 6
HIS 150 World History to 1500  
HIS 151 World History since 1500  
 
Humanities 9

One course in fine arts, one course in literature, and one course in philosophy from the following:

Fine Arts
ART 104

Survey of Art History I

  
ART 106

Survey of Art History II

  
ART 120

Art and Society

  
MUS 105

Survey of Music History I

  
MUS 106

Survey of Music History II

  
MUS 120

Music and Society

  
THE 105

Theatre History to 1700

  
THE 106

Theatre History since 1700

  
THE 120

Theatre Appreciation

  
ART-199
MUS-199
THE-199

The Arts in Contemporary Civilization

  
Literature
ENG 205

Understanding Literature

  
ENG-208

Arthurian Legends in Literature

  
ENG 210

Major American Authors

  
ENG 211

Major British Authors

  
ENG 213

Literature and Mythology

  
ENG-214

Monsters in Literature

  
ENG 215

Satire and Comedy

  
ENG 217

Introduction to Shakespeare

  
ENG-219

Literature and Violence

  
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 Short 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

  
LIT-322

German Literature and Film in English Translation

  
LIT-325 The Folktale  
LIT-340 Hispanic Literature and Film in English Translation  
LIT-350 French and Francophone Literature and Film in Translation  
LIT-370 European Short Novel  
LIT-390 The Bible as Literature  
  Any literature course in the foreign language.  
Philosophy



AMS 227

Any course in the philosophy department
or
The Philosophy of Martin Luther King, Jr

  

 

 


Disclaimer:  The course information provided above is from the 2010-2011 Academic Catalog and is updated annually as new editions are released.  Prior editions of the catalog are also available online.  The catalog under which the student enters serves as the official record of admission, academic, and graduation requirements.  It is the student’s individual responsibility to be aware of the current graduation requirements for his or her particular degree program.  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.