Core Curriculum

On August 27th the Faculty senate authorized an Ad Hoc Committee for Core Curriculum Revision. This committee will review the current Core Curriculum and carefully consider the NEASC Standards for General Education so as to develop a substantially revised version if the committee believes it necessary, and submit its proposed revision to the EPC.

The committee includes the following members:

1. Three faculty members from the following areas: Arts & Humanities, Sciences & Math, and Social Sciences.

Dan Sheridan, Theology
David Pinchbeck, Math
Marion Young, Psychology

2. Four faculty members from other departments.

Lucas Bernacki, Sciences
Karen Croteau, Sports and Exercise Science
Christopher Sullivan, Fine Arts
William Yates, Communications

3. Program Director for Interdisciplinary Studies

Sherrie Winton

4. President of the Faculty Senate

Chris Callaway, Philosophy

5. Dean of Undergraduate Studies (non-voting ex officio)

Patricia Ireland

On April 20, 2016, the Faculty Senate voted and approved a revision to the core curriculum that better reflects the College’s vision of what it means to be an educated person. The core curriculum is the heart of our baccalaureate education, and provides the grounding for the student’s major course of study. The core curriculum’s concentration on the liberal arts and science supports key parts of the College’s mission: to “encourage students to explore widely the arts and sciences while they also prepare to lead ethical and meaningful lives” and to “enhance students’ awareness of human dignity and the meaning of life”. Moreover, the core curriculum supports several of the College’s Institutional Learning Outcomes. Specifically:

• Identify and apply the ethical and moral dimensions of their particular field of study.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills in both written and oral formats.
• Engage in responsible citizenship, social justice, and environmental stewardship.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze and evaluate information from diverse sources and perspectives.

New Core Curriculum

1. Foundations for College Level Thinking (2 courses)

College Writing
MA elective (or MA course required by major)

2. The Human Condition and the Human Story (6 courses)

Modern Global History
Intro to the Judeo-Christian Tradition
Human Nature & Ethics
Choose an elective from each of the following disciplines: HY, TH, and PH

3. Nature and Society (2 courses)

Ecology and the Environmental Challenge
One additional course from a list of courses in natural or social science

4. Art, Creativity, and Self-knowledge (2 courses)

EH English elective
One additional course from list of courses in this area

There is still work to be done before the college can implement the new core curriculum. The Faculty Senate has authorized the Ad Hoc Committee for Core Curriculum to complete any implementation work during the 2016-2017 academic year.