Core Curriculum

Dr. Vincent Fitzgerald, Director, (650)508-3769, vfitzgerald@ndnu.edu

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

IDS Course Descriptions

Summary
Common Core Requirements		Units
	IDS1100  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 IDS1100 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 ENG1032 and ENG1040.  Transfer students with 30 units or more and nontraditional age students may substitute for ENG1032 an equivalent course in freshman composition from another institution.  Such students may also substitute for ENG1040 an equivalent literature course from another institution or three units of literature courses from the following list:  ENG1040, ENG1041, ENG2142, ENG2144, ENG2148, ENG2152, ENG2200, ENG2201, ENG2214, ENG2216, ENG2218, ENG2220, ENG2222, ENG2224, ENG2232, ENG2236, ENG2240, ENG2244, ENG2400, ENG2403, ENG2408, ENG2412, ENG2600, ENG2604, ENG2624, ENG2632, ENG2656, ENG2887.

 

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:
HST1000, HST2000	World History
HST1010, HST2010	World History
HST2100	History of Western Culture
HST2110	History of Political and Social Thought
HST2120	Modern Western Thought
HST2130	Sex and Myth in History
HST2410	Modern Times
SECTION B: The remaining three units of the requirement may be fulfilled by any three-unit History course [prefix HST] 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:
FRE1001, FRE1008	Basic Practical French
FRE1016, FRE1024	Intermediate Conversation
FRE1024, FRE2116	Intermediate Conversation and Pronunciation in Cultural Context
SPA1001, SPA1008	Introduction to Spanish
SPA1016, SPA1024	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 CUL)
3. One semester of Modern Language and one course from the following list:

CUL2300	European Cinema
CUL2308	International Cinema
FRE2140	Women in French Literature
HST2200	History, Culture, and Language of France I
HST2210	History, Culture, and Language of France II
HST2430	Islam and the West
PSC2130	Latin American Area Studies
PSC2140	African Area Studies
PSC2150	Asian Area Studies
PSC2160	Middle East Area Studies
Any Culture and Language course (prefix CUL) 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

The requirement may be fulfilled by taking six units from:

• Courses in religious studies (prefix REL); or
• ART2225 Art History: Medieval
• ART2230 Art History: Art and Religion of the Far East

See Religious Studies listings for course descriptions.

Fulfilling the Breadth Requirements:

Mathematics (3 units)

Any Mathematics course (prefix MTH) will meet this requirement except MTH1010. All courses that fulfill the requirement assume mathematics placement at Level 1 (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.

ART1001	Drawing
ART1010	Drawing with Illustrator
ART1018	Life Drawing
ART1101	Design: Two-Dimensional
ART1109	Design: Color
ART1118	3-D Design
ART1127	Advanced Design
ART1201	Art History Survey
ART2201	Art History: Modern Art
ART2205	Art History: Art of the Americas [CDiv]
ART2210	Art History: Art in Business and Industry
ART2215	Art History: Contemporary Art Since 1945
ART2220	Postmodern World in Art
ART2225	Art History: Medieval
ART2230	Art History: Art and Religion of the Far East [CDiv]
ART2301	Representational Painting
ART2305	Projects in Painting
ART2310	Outdoor Painting
ART2401	Media Graphics: Graphic Design
ART2405	Media Graphics: Layout and Typography
ART2410	Media Graphics: Production Techniques
ART2415	Elements of Web Design
ART2501	Printmaking: Etching
ART2505	Printmaking: Multimedia Workshop
ART2601	Techniques and Materials
ART2605	Art Education Concepts
ART2615	Sculpture
ART2625	Photography
ART2635	Gallery Techniques
CUL2308	Intercultural Cinema
IDS1024, IDS2024	Bay Area Cultural Events [CDiv]
MUS1050, MUS2050	Opera Workshop
MUS1060, MUS2060	Campus-Community Chorus
MUS1070, 2070	Orchestra
MUS1100	Exploring Music at the Keyboard
MUS1150, 2150	Computer Applications in Music
MUS1320, 2320	World Music [CDiv]
MUS1505, MUS2505	Composing and Improvising
MUS1600, MUS1605, MUS1610, MUS2600, MUS2605, MUS2610	Individual Instruction
MUS2305	Survey of Music in Western Civilization
MUS2067	Music Education Concepts
THE1000	Introduction to the Theatre
THE1005, THE2105	Introduction to Oral Interpretation of Literature
THE1013, THE2153	Theatre and Drama in the Schools
THE1015	Beginning Acting
THE1055, THE2155	Scenic Design and Model Building
THE1059, THE2159	Introduction to Arts Management
THE2100	Intermediate Acting
THE2115	Advanced Acting
THE2135	Development of Drama and Theatre to 1600
THE2140	Development of Drama and Theatre from 1600 to 1800
THE2145	Development of Drama and Theatre from 1800 to the Present
THE2151	Children's Theatre
THE2157	Acting for the Camera
* Three semesters of the same instrument or voice within a four-semester sequence. In the case of MUS1405, MUS1725, MUS2405, or MUS2725; one or more semesters may be replaced with MUS1600, MUS1605, MUS1745, or MUS2745.
** BM students may not use this course for credit in this category.

Philosophy and Values (3 units)

Any course in philosophy (prefix PHL) will fulfill this requirement with the exception of PHL1300, PHL1305, PHL2300, PHL2305. See Philosophy listings for course descriptions.

Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 units)

Students may choose any two courses among:

BUS1100	Macroeconomics
BUS1108	Microeconomics
BUS2108	Comparative Economic Systems
BUS2116	Economic Development of Less Developed Countries [CDiv]
HST2110	History of Political Science
HST2120	Modern Western Thought
HST2220	Nazi Germany
HST2230	Europe Since World War II
HST2300	American History: 1607-1877
HST2310	American History: 1877-Present
HST2320	Modern America: 1932-Present
HST2330	History and Politics of Civil RIghts
HST2340	America's Ethnic History
HST2350	California History
HST2400	Novels as History
HST2410	Modern Times
HST2420	History and Politics in Films
HST2430	Islam and the West
PHL2210	Political and Social Philosophy
PHL2405	Philosophy of Mind
Any course offered by the Political Science department (prefix PSC) will fulfill this requirement. See Political Science listings for course descriptions. Any course offered by the Psychology department (prefix PSY) will fulfill this requirement. See Psychology listings for course descriptions. Any course offered by the Sociology department (prefix SOC) will fulfill this requirement. See Sociology listings for course descriptions.

Natural Science (3 units)

Students may choose any course from this list:

BIO1104	Human Biology
BIO1465, BIO2465	Natural Sciences Seminar
BIO2124	Forensic Science
CHE1101	Introductory Chemistry
NSC1012, NSC2012	Introduction to Nutrition
PHY1001	Physical Geology
PHY1008, PHY2008	Physical Geography
PHY1114	Astronomy

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:
ART2205	Art History: Art of the Americas
ART2230	Art and Religion of the Far East
BUS2024	Comparative International Management
BUS2040	Women in Management
BUS2116	Economic Development of Less-Developed Countries
BUS2124	International Economics
BUS2416	The Holocaust
CUL2200	Mexico: Politics, Culture, and Language
CUL2208	Central America: Politics, Culture, and Language
CUL2216	Andean Nations: Politics, Culture, and Language
CUL2224	Indegenous Cultures of Latin America
CUL2232	Latino/Hispanic Experience in the USA
CUL2240	Mexican American Literature, Language, and Film
CUL2316	Cultural Heritage and Language of China
CUL2232	Latino/Hispanic Experience in the USA
CUL2248	Culture and Language of Latin America through Film
CUL2250	Literature of Latin America
CUL2308	Intercultural Cinema
CUL2400	African Cinema, Culture, and Language
CUL2500	Service Learning
EDU2248	Managing Cultural Diversity
EDU2257	Women's Health Issues
ENG2222	American Literary Movements: Harlem Renaissance
ENG2268	Great American Writers: Morrison
ENG2600	Women's Literature
ENG2604	African-American Literature
ENG2608	Asian-American Literature
ENG2612	Latino Literature
ENG2616	Native American Literature
ENG2632	Comparative Literature
ENG2636	Mythology
ENG2650	Modern Poetry
ENG2652	Modern Fiction: Comparative Approach
ENG2887	Special Topics
FRE2140	Women in French Literature
HST1000, HST1010, HST2000, HST2010	World History
HST2020	World History
HST2330	History and Politics of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States
HST2340	America's Ethnic History
HST2430	Islam and the West
IDS1024, IDS2024	Bay Area Cultural Events
IDS1030, IDS2030	Peace and Social Justice: Bay Area Events
MUS1320, MUS2320	World Music
NSC1001, NSC2001	Science and Technology in Developing Countries
NSC1003, NSC2003	Revolutionary Women and Minorities in Science
NSC1018, NSC2018	Nutrition and Health in Developing Countries
PHL2410	Women and Philosophy
PSC2120	World Geography
PSC2130	Latin American Area Studies
PSC2140	African Area Studies
PSC2150	Asian Area Studies
PSC2160	Middle East Area Studies
PSC2161	Model Arab League
PSC2330	Gender and the Law
PSY2409	Building Community through Diversity
PSY2717	Women, Shakespeare, and Psychoanalysis
REL2250	Religions of the World
REL2425	Liberation Theologies
REL2430	Developments in Gender and Sexuality in Christianity
REL2605	Women's Spirituality
REL2620	Way of the Earth
SOC1009, SOC2009	Cultural Anthropology
SOC1501, SOC2501	The Inner City: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
SOC1502, SOC2502	Exploring the Inner World of the Inner City
SOC1503, SOC2503	Lifestyles of the Poor and Infamous
SOC1504, SOC2504	The Promise of the Inner City
SOC2301	The Family
SOC2401	Race and Ethnicity in Cross-cultural Perspective
SOC2417	Interpersonal/Intercultural Communication
SOC2433	Cross-cultures and Subcultures
SOC2519	Streetwise Sociology
SOC2527	Urban Sociology
SOC2625	Animals, People, and the Environment
SOC2692	Animals, People, and the Environment - Fieldworkt
SOC2725	Social Problems
SOC2757	Society Through Film
SPA2108	Advanced Spanish: La herencia cultural de latinoamerica
SPA2124	Spanish for a Bilingual World: Community Services and Business

Oral Communication (3)

One of these units may be satisfied by completion of IDS1100 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.