| |
The new Core takes effect in the Fall semester of 2009 for the class of 2013.
Last updated: July 2008.
Written by Dr. Toulouse.
“Fordham affirms the value of a Core Curriculum rooted in the liberal arts and sciences. The University seeks to foster in all its students life-long habits of careful observation, critical thinking, creativity, moral reflection and articulate expression.” (Fordham University Mission Statement)
The Purpose of the Core at Fordham
Fordham’s Core Curriculum is a central part of its larger mission and identity as a university in the Catholic and Jesuit tradition preparing its students for responsible leadership in a global society.
The “Core” plays a key role in the undergraduate curriculum as a whole. As students’ majors and electives allow specialization and individualization in their studies, the core curriculum assures that every student’s undergraduate education is anchored, as a whole, in the liberal arts. The Core Curriculum provides an ongoing developmental context for students’ studies and a framework for the entire undergraduate education.
What's NEW in the New Core?
Changes in the new Core to come into effect starting 2009-10:
1). The Core is now designed to unfold over all 4 years of the undergraduate degree.
2). There is a reduction in the Language requirement from 5 courses to 4.
3). There is a new required course in Understanding Historical Change.
4). There is a new capstone course. In addition to the Values Seminar, students must take an Interdisciplinary Seminar.
5). There is a new distributive requirement: students must take 4 Eloquentia Perfecta or EP seminars. These courses are limited to 20 students and give over 20% of class time to exercises designed to help students’ writing and speaking. The Freshman Seminar and Texts & Contexts will be EP seminars in the first year, and the Values Seminar will be an EP seminar in the senior year.
6). Students are encouraged to take one Service Learning course in the Core.
List of Courses in the New Core
* = change as summarized above
Introductory course
- Composition & Rhetoric (1 course, with 1 semester of preparation if necessary)
Introduction to Disciplinary Ways of Knowing & Concepts - Freshman/Sophomore Courses
- Mathematical/Computational Reasoning
- Natural Science (2 courses, Physical Science and then Life Science)
- Philosophy of Human Nature (possible EP-1*)
- Faith & Critical Reasoning (possible EP-1*)
- Fine & Performing Arts (possible EP-1*)
- Language & Literature (1 course, with 1-3 semesters of preparation)
- Text & Contexts (EP-2*)
- Understanding Historical Change * (possible EP-1*)
- Social Sciences (possible EP-1*)
Advanced Disciplinary Study
- Philosophical Ethics
- Sacred Texts & Traditions
- Advanced Disciplinary Courses in Literature, History, and Social Science (2 courses)
Capstone Courses
- Interdisciplinary Seminar in Literature, History, and/or Social Science (1 course) *
- Values Seminar (EP-4*)
Distributive Requirements
- Eloquentia Perfecta Seminars (4 courses, 3 at first) *
- Global Studies
- American Pluralism
- Service Learning (optional at first) *
Plan of the New Core
FURTHER READING
For detailed descriptions of the Courses in the New Core
see the Executive Summary of 'Toward 2016 - Fordham's Liberal Arts Core Curriculum' (PDF).
|
