Core Curriculum
Vincent Fitzgerald, Ph.D

The Common Core Requirements, Breadth Requirements, and Core Competency Requirements are collectively referred to as the Core Curriculum Requirements.

Summary
Common Core Requirements		Units
	First Year Experience	4
	Writing and Literature	6-8*
	World History	6
	Modern Language (for BA, BFA, BM) or Culture and Language (for BS)	6 6
	Religion and Spirituality	6
* Transfer students may fulfill this requirement with two three-unit transfer courses.
Breadth Requirements		Units
	Mathematics	3
	Visual and Performing Arts	3
	Philosophy and Values	3
	Social and Behavioral Sciences	6
	Natural Science	3
Core Competency Requirements
Core Competency Requirements generally do not add units to a student's program. Rather, they are intended to be satisfied in the course of satisfying other requirements by choosing courses that meet multiple goals. The current exception to this standard is the Upper-Division Writing Proficiency Requirement, which may require additional coursework if not passed by exam. The expectation is that NDNU will broaden the options for meeting this requirement to include coursework within the major that has an embedded writing component.
	Cultural Diversity	6
	Upper-Division Writing Proficiency	0-3
	Oral Communication*	3*
	Information/Discipline-Specific Technology*	3*
	Library Research Methods and Techniques*	1*
* Asterisked requirements are tracked by the advisor and will not be part of the graduation audit performed by the Registrar's Office.

Outcomes One Can Expect from Engagement in the Core Curriculum

The Core Curriculum is designed to introduce all students to the core values of Notre Dame de Namur University and to how these values are linked to the educational pursuit. These values include development of the whole person, working in a collaborative community, and promotion of social justice.

The Common Core requirements encompass experiences shared by all students. Within this core, the First Year Experience is an interdisciplinary team-taught course that introduces students to the Mission of the University and its core values and competencies. Instruction takes place both inside the classroom and beyond the classroom in community-based projects. The Breadth Requirements provide students with a broader understanding of diverse disciplines, while further strengthening such competencies as written and oral communication, critical thinking, portfolio development, and community-based learning, first introduced in the core courses. The Core Competency Requirements enhance and integrate students’ abilities to research, write, and speak about both discipline-specific and interdisciplinary topics as they engage with the world around them.

A range of options is offered to meet many of the expected Core Curriculum outcomes. Students track their progress toward these outcomes with guidance from their academic advisors.

Common Core Requirements

First Year Experience

The First Year Experience is an interdisciplinary course that introduces traditional-aged students to the Mission of the University and its core values and competencies.  Students explore their identities as members of local, national, and global multicultural communities through critical reflection and experiential learning activities.  Readings are selected to challenge students' intellectual visions and interests.  Reflection and written and oral communication skills are emphasized.  Leadership and collaboration skills are developed, while enrichment activities correlate residence hall and other campus events with the academic program.  The undergraduate academic portfolio is implemented to document students' continuing development of core competencies and values. See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

Writing and Literature

Through the Writing and Literature Requirement, students strengthen their skills in expository prose writing and critical thinking as they analyze fictional narratives and other types of writing, review the fundamentals of grammar and mechanics, study basic rhetorical strategies, and practice research and documentation methodologies.  Concurrently, students increase their understanding and appreciation of the language, style, and themes of important authors in World literature.  Ethnic and international writers provide a global and multicultural perspective. See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

World History

Action in our contemporary world requires, more than ever before, a truly global perspective.  World history classes introduce students to the genesis and development of our increasingly globalized world.  Courses in history are designed to introduce students to the major persons, ideas, and movements that have shaped the modern western world. Students will grow in their understanding of the context and development of ideas and institutions and in their critical awareness of the sources and interpretation of historical knowledge. It is hoped that this requirement will contribute to an appreciation for the interconnectedness of peoples and cultures over time as well as of the interdependency of modern nations. See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

Modern Language

Courses in a modern language develop communication skills in a language other than English and emphasize listening, reading, speaking, and writing. The language is studied as an essential component of a distinct cultural heritage so that students become familiar with the history, customs, and artistic expressions of the areas of the world where that language is spoken. Advanced courses develop skills for specific purposes such as business and community service. See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

Culture and Language (for BS students only)

Courses in this requirement provide a basic knowledge and understanding of the heritage of non-English speaking cultures, including their historical evolution, institutions, peoples, customs, current sociopolitical conditions, literature, art, and music. Students become acquainted with the language of the heritage area studies, including core concepts specific to social interactions and survival level vocabulary and grammar. See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

Religion and Spirituality

Through Religion and Spirituality, students begin to comprehend the spiritual dimensions of life as integral to individual, social, and ecological realities. They have the opportunity to explore elements of Christian spirituality, ethics, traditions, scripture, and liturgy. They also learn to appreciate the variety and richness of spiritual/religious beliefs and practices throughout the world. See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

 

Breadth Requirements

Mathematics

Students gain an appreciation for the usefulness of mathematics in their everyday lives and careers and expand their sense of the place of mathematics in society. They develop and broaden their ability to:

1. translate simple questions about how the world works into mathematical language;
2. reason with mathematical ideas;
3. translate the mathematical conclusions back into the situation that is being studied and draw conclusions appropriate to that situation.

See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

Visual and Performing Arts

In Visual and Performing Arts courses students are exposed to a range of aesthetic and critical experiences and encouraged to develop and employ their creative energies. In some courses students improve their personal skills for seeing or hearing, or for creating or performing. Other courses develop an understanding and appreciation of artistic styles, historical developments, and analytical methods. All courses introduce the vocabulary needed to read, write, and talk about the visual and performing arts with the objective of enabling students to identify the elements that constitute an aesthetic experience and to judge the merits of a work of art. See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

Philosophy and Values

Philosophy courses assist students in examining fundamental claims about life and the universe from an objective point of view and allow them to develop critical thinking skills. See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

The study of sociology and psychology enables students to identify and to analyze how social systems influence the behavior of groups or individuals. Knowledge of the complexity of human behavior equips students to understand the integrative function of the human mind and to live intelligently in our complex society. Political science and economics courses introduce students to ideological and economic forces that shape the structure of society. Study of other societies and cultures and analysis of the complex interactions of people of diverse beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors leads to a greater understanding of and compassion for the human family. See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

Natural Science

Students of science gain an understanding of the principles, processes, and concepts that are the basic tenets of the sciences. Focusing on problem-solving and on methods of organizing ideas and testing of information, they develop an appreciation for scientific thinking. Students acquire a sense of the historical context in which the sciences developed. They begin to evaluate the impact of science and technology on the natural, political, and social environments and thus are equipped to respond to scientific issues in society. In the field and laboratory, students have experience with data collection and analysis, experimental design, and the development of observational skills. Students are encouraged to take a laboratory course. See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

Core Competency Requirements

Cultural Diversity [CDiv]

Courses designated as CDiv are those courses that are fundamentally concerned with exploring the contemporary or historical experiences of underrepresented or marginalized peoples.  These courses give voice to world cultures whose origins lie outside the western tradition, principally Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.  Courses that treat the experience of ethnic minority populations in the United States, as well as topical courses on gender, sexuality, ethnicity, contemporary poverty, and minority religions may also be granted the CDiv designation.  See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

Upper-Division Writing Proficiency

This requirement is designed to assure that students demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly in writing at a level that meets the University's standard. See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

Oral Communication

Students develop their abilities to speak in front of groups comfortably and competently. They are exposed to basic presentation issues including how they present both their material and themselves to an audience. In particular, students develop their ability to speak about their academic work. See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

Information/Discipline-Specific Technology

Through this requirement, students come to understand broadly the uses of information technology. Students are also exposed to and use information technology and/or other discipline-specific technology and apply it to their chosen discipline. See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

Library Research Methods and Techniques

Students refine their library research skills and apply them to a research project or paper.  See below for details on fulfilling this requirement.

Fulfilling the Requirements

Fulfilling the Common Core Requirements:

First Year Experience (4 units)

Freshmen satisfy this requirement by taking ID010 The First Year Experience. Transfer students with 30 units or more and nontraditional age students need not satisfy this requirement.

Writing and Literature (6-8 units)

Students entering as freshmen may fulfill this requirement by taking and passing EN002 and EN021A.  Transfer students with 30 units or more and nontraditional age students may substitute for EN002 an equivalent course in freshman composition from another institution.  Such students may also substitute for EN021A an equivalent literature course from another institution or three units of literature courses from the following list:  EN021B, EN100, EN102A, 102B, 102C, 102G, 102I, 102J, EN109A, EN109B, EN109C, EN117, EN130A, EN130B, EN133, EN140, EN141, EN142ABC, EN143, EN144, EN146A, EN146B, EN146C, EN146D, EN146E, EN146F, EN146G, or EN195I.

Note: Freshmen students who have passed a College Board Advanced Placement Examination(s) in English with a score of three or higher may earn three to six units of college credit and thereby fulfill all or part of the Writing and Literature Requirement.  See Undergraduate Policies, Credit by Examination.

Note: In addition to the Writing and Literature Requirement, all students must also satisfy the Writing Proficiency Requirement.

 

World History (6 units)

Students entering as freshmen fulfill this requirement by taking and passing HY007A and HY007B.  Incoming transfer students (30 or more transferable units), as well as freshmen who have satisfied the equivalent of Section A or B (below) through transferable work, may fulfill this requirement by satisfying the Section A and Section B requirements below.

SECTION A: Three of the six units required must be in World History. To fulfill this section of the requirement students may take any course from the following list:
HY007A/107A	World History
HY007B/107B	World History
HY102	History of Western Culture
HY/PS118	History of Political and Social Thought
HY/PS128B	Modern Western Thought
HY/PS152	Sex and Myth in History
HY/PS158	Modern Times
SECTION B: The remaining three units of the requirement may be fulfilled by any three-unit History course [prefix HY] at NDNU.

Modern Language (6 units)

At entrance, students are tested and placed at a skill level commensurate with prior experience in the language. All BA, BFA, and BM students must take two semesters of the same Modern Language unless eligible for exemption (see below).

Students in the first or second year of language study at Notre Dame de Namur University are required to take six units. Students may choose any courses from this list:
FR001 and FR002	Basic Practical French
FR003 and FR004	Intermediate Conversation
FR004 and FR135	Intermediate Conversation and Pronunciation in Cultural Context
SP001 and SP002	Introduction to Spanish
SP003 and SP004	Intermediate Spanish
Two semesters (with a minimum of six semester units) of the same language from another institution will satisfy the Modern Language requirement.

Culture and Language (6 units)

BS students may choose from the following options:
1. Two semesters of the same Modern Language
2. Two Culture and Language courses (prefix CL)
3. One semester of Modern Language and one course from the following list:

CU150	European Cinema
CU151	International Cinema
CU195	Special Topics in Cultural Heritage
HY/PS162	Latin American Area Studies
HY/PS180	African Area Studies
HY/PS181	Islam and the West
HY/PS184	Asian Area Studies
HY/PS190	Middle East Area Studies
Any Culture and Language course (prefix CL) will fulfill this requirement. See Culture and Language listings for course descriptions. Note: Students who take these courses to fulfill their Culture and Language requirement may not use the same courses to fulfill their Cultural Diversity requirement.

Exemption from Modern Language or Culture and Language Requirement

Students who demonstrate oral and written language competency by meeting one of the following criteria are exempt from the Modern Language (BA, BM, BFA) or the Culture and Language (BS) requirement.  To demonstrate competency a student may:

• Be a native speaker of a language other than English and provide an offical transcript showing attendance at school in the native language.
• Pass an NDNU foreign language placement examination with a proficiency score of three or pass an equivalent exam at a corresponding level.  (Exam must be approved in advance by the Chair of the Modern Languages Department.  For non-European languages, this usually involves passing a test sent from the Center for Applied Linguistics in Washington, DC and administered at NDNU.)
• Complete the third year level of a foreign language in high school with grades "C" or higher (high school transcript required.)
• Score 600 or higher on a College Board Achievement Test in foreign language.)
• Pass a College Board Advanced Placement Examination in a foreign language with a score of three or higher.)
• Pass a CLEP examination in a foreign language at the 50th percentile or higher. (See the Registrar's Office for information on credit for specific CLEP exams.)

Religion and Spirituality (6 units)

Any two courses in religious studies (prefix RS) will fulfill this requirement. See Religious Studies listings for course descriptions.

 

Fulfilling the Breadth Requirements:

Mathematics (3 units)

Any 3 or 4 units Mathematics course (prefix MA) satisfies the Core Curriculum Mathematics requirement with the exception of MA003 and MA012. All courses that fulfill the requirement assume mathematics placement at Level 1or higher (see Mathematics Placement Test).

Visual and Performing Arts (3 units)

Any course from the following list meets this requirement. Students may also take advanced courses if prerequisites have been met.

AR001A	Drawing
AR001C	Drawing with Illustrator
AR003A	Life Drawing
AR004	Art History Survey
AR007A	Design: Two-Dimensional
AR007B	Design: Color
AR007C	3-D Design
AR007D	Advanced Design
AR070/170	Scenic Design and Model Building
AR100B	Art History: Modern Art
AR100G	Art History: Art of the Americas [CDiv]
AR102	Techniques and Materials
AR103A	Representational Painting
AR103B	Projects in Painting
AR103C	Outdoor Painting
AR108A	Media Graphics: Graphic Design
AR108B	Media Graphics: Layout and Typography
AR108C	Media Graphics: Production Techniques
AR109	Elements of Web Design
AR116	Art Education Concepts
AR120A	Sculpture
AR/MK122	Art History: Art in Business and Industry
AR125A	Photography
AR130A	Printmaking: Etching
AR130C	Printmaking: Multimedia Workshop
AR151	Gallery Techniques
AR160	Art History: Contemporary Art Since 1945
AR161	Postmodern World in Art
AR/RS168A	Art History: Medieval
AR/RS168B	Art History: Art and Religion of the Far East [CDiv]
ID024/124	Bay Area Cultural Events [CDiv]
MN017/117	Class Piano - Nonmajors
MN016I/116I	Individual Instruction - Instrumental Nonmajors
MN016P/116P	Individual Instruction - Piano Nonmajors
MN016V/116V	Individual Instruction - Vocal Nonmajors
MU001A	Exploring Music at the Keyboard
MU006/106	Composing and Improvising
MU010/110	Music Appreciation
MU015/115	Individual Instruction
MU016/116*	Individual Instruction for Non-Music Majors (1 unit)
MU017/117*	Class Piano (1 unit)
MU018/118*	Campus-Community Chorus
MU021/121*	Chamber Singers
MU022/122*	Opera Workshop
MU027A/127A*	Beginning Voice Class (1 unit)
MU027B/127B	Beginning Voice Class
MU031/131*	Chamber Music Class
MU041/141*	Orchestra
MU042/142	World Music [CDiv]
MU075/175*	Ensemble
MU093/193**	Computer Applications in Music
MU120A	Survey of Music in Western Civilization
MU140	Music Education Concepts
TA001	Introduction to the Theatre
TA002/102	Introduction to Oral Interpretation of Literature
TA010	Beginning Acting
TA061/161	Theatre and Drama in the Schools
TA070/170	Scenic Design and Model Building
TA080/180/MG180/SL180	Introduction to Arts Management
TA100	Intermediate Acting
TA110	Advanced Acting
TA130A	Development of Drama and Theatre to 1600
TA130B	Development of Drama and Theatre from 1600 to 1800
TA130C	Development of Drama and Theatre from 1800 to the Present
TA160	Children's Theatre
TA175/CM175	Acting for the Camera
* Three semesters of the same instrument or voice within a four-semester sequence. In the case of MU017/117 and MU027A/127A, one or more semesters may be replaced with MU016I/P/V or MU116I/P/V.
** BM students may not use this course for credit in this category.

Philosophy and Values (3 units)

Any course in philosophy (prefix PL) will fulfill this requirement with the exception of PL012/112 Formal Logic and PL013/113 Critical Thinking and Scientific Reasoning. See Philosophy listings for course descriptions.

Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 units)

Students may choose any two courses among:

EC001A	Macroeconomics
EC001B	Microeconomics
EC/IB182	Comparative Economic Systems
EC/IB183	Economic Development of Less Developed Countries [CDiv]
Any course offered by the Political Science department (prefix PS) will fulfill this requirement. See Political Science listings for course descriptions. Any course offered by the Psychology department (prefix PY) will fulfill this requirement. See Psychology listings for course descriptions. Any course offered by the Sociology department (prefix SO) will fulfill this requirement. See Sociology listings for course descriptions.

Natural Science (3 units)

Students may choose any course from this list:

BY001A	General Biology
BY001B	General Biology
BY004	Human Biology
BY005	Introduction to Biology
BY024/124	Forensic Science
BY101	Human Anatomy
BY109	Contemporary Environmental Issues
BY132	General Ecology
CH001	Introductory Chemistry
CH002A/B	General Chemistry
NS005/105	Introduction to Nutrition
PH001	Physical Geology
PH002A/B	College Physics
PH004A/B	Physics for Scientists
PH008/108	Physical Geography
PH009	Introduction to Physical Science
PH010	Astronomy
SM085/185	Natural Sciences Seminar
Under special circumstances (by consent of Department Chair):
BY141	Vertebrate Zoology

Fulfilling the Core Competency Requirements:

Cultural Diversity [CDiv] (6 units)

All students are required to take six units in Cultural Diversity.  An appreciation of cultural diversity is an important aspect of NDNU's social justice mission and CDiv courses are concerned with exploring cultural difference in a mindful effort to advance this aspect of our mission.  Cultural diversity is integral to CDiv courses and cultural diversity content is presented throughout the course.  Therefore, the number of CDiv units awarded for any course will equal the total number of units of that course (for example, any three unit CDiv course will be worth three CDiv units).  Cultural Diversity courses may be used also to fulfill other Core Curriculum requirements (except Culture and Language) or requirements within the major.  (Students in BS programs may not use Culture and Language courses to fulfill both the Culture and Language requirement and the Cultural Diversity requirement).  Courses fulfilling this requirement carry the notation [CDiv] after their title.  Check the course descriptions in this Catalog and the listings in each semester's class schedule.

This is an approved list of Cultural Diversity courses:
AR100G	Art History: Art of the Americas
AR/RS168B	Art and Religion of the Far East
CL/FR109A	Women in French Literature
CL/CU139	Cultural Heritage and Language of China
CL/LA161	Mexico: Politics, Culture, and Language
CL/LA162	Central America: Politics, Culture, and Language
CL/LA164	Andean Nations: Politics, Culture, and Language
CL/LA175	Latino/Hispanic Experience in the USA
CL/FR196	African Cinema, Culture, and Language
CL/LA/SP197	Culture and Language of Latin America through Film
CL/LA/SO/SP198	Service Learning
CM/RS125	The Holocaust
CM/PY/SO156	Interpersonal/Intercultural Communication
CU151	Intercultural Cinema
CU195	Special Topics in Cultural Heritage
EC/IB183	Economic Development of Less-Developed Countries
EC191	International Economics
EN101C	Great American Writers: Morrison
EN102B	American Literary Movements: Harlem Renaissance
EN133	Women's Literature
EN140	African-American Literature
EN142A	Native American Literature
EN142B	Asian-American Literature
EN142C	Latino Literature
EN144	Comparative Literature
EN145	Mythology
EN148	Film and Literature
EN160	Modern Poetry
EN173	Modern Fiction: Comparative Approach
EN/PY176	Women, Shakespeare, and Psychoanalysis
EN195I	Special Topics
GB002/102	Deploying Capital in the Modern World
HS/MG162	Managing Cultural Diversity (Intensive students only)
HS171	Women's Health Issues
HY007/107A/B	World History
HY108	World History
HY/PS136	Soviet Russia
HY/PS162	Latin American Area Studies
HY/PS174	Gender and the Law
HY/PS177	History and Politics of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States
HY/PS178	America's Ethnic History
HY/PS180	African Area Studies
HY/PS/RS181	Islam and the West
HY/PS184	Asian Area Studies
HY/PS190	Middle East Area Studies
HY/PS190M	Model Arab League
IB110	International Business
IB/MG116	Comparative International Management
IB/MK165	International Marketing
ID024/124	Bay Area Cultural Events
ID025/125	Peace and Social Justice: Bay Area Events
LA/CL110	Literature of Latin America
LA/CL165	Indegenous Cultures of Latin America
LA/CL175	Latino/Hispanic Experience in the USA
LA/CL176	Mexican American Literature, Language, and Film
MG157	Women in Management
MU042/142	World Music
NS009/109	Nutrition and Health in Developing Countries
PL114	Woman and Philosophy
PS160	World Geography
PY017/117/SO017/117	Lifestyles of the Poor and Infamous
PY/SO113	Society Through Film
PY133/SO130	The Family
PY/SO154	Building Community through Diversity
RS136A	Women's Spirituality
RS137	Developments in Gender and Sexuality in Christianity
RS140A	Liberation Theologies
RS165	Religions of the World
RS196	Way of the Earth (Intensive students only)
SM001/101	Science and Technology in Developing Countries
SM004/104	Revolutionary Women and Minorities in Science
SM/SO183	Animals, People, and the Environment
SO004/114	Cultural Anthropology
SO015/115/PY015/115	The Inner City: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
SO016/116/PY016/116	Exploring the Inner World of the Inner City
SO018/118/PY018/118	The Promise of the Inner City
SO103	Streetwise Sociology
SO125	Urban Sociology
SO130/PY133	The Family
SO146	Social Problems
SO153/PY153	Race and Ethnicity in Cross-cultural Perspective
SO162	Cross-cultures and Subcultures
SO/SM183F	Animals, People, and the Environment - Field Work
SP100B	Advanced Spanish: La herencia cultural de latinoamerica
SP103	Spanish for a Bilingual World: Community Services and Business
SP115	Introduccion a la literatura latinoamericana

 

Oral Communication (3)

One of these units may be satisfied by completion of ID010 First Year Experience. Guided by the advisor, the student will additionally choose either a general oral communication class course or a course within the major that has a focus on oral communication (preferred).

Information/Discipline-Specific Technology (3)

Guided by the advisor, the student will satisfy these units by choosing courses within the major that develop technology skills or through freestanding modules, as may be appropriate and available.

Library Research Methods and Techniques (1)

This unit may be satisfied by completion of the First Year Experience. Guided by the advisor, the student may additionally or alternately (transfers) choose courses within the major that embed these skills.