The Liberal Arts Core is not only the foundation of a liberal arts education, but it can help you explore an array of interests in the Humanities, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and the Social Sciences. While developing a broader understanding of your world, you will polish your writing and critical reflection skills. The Core is your chance to explore a variety of courses and find a major, minor or even double major that feels right for you.

The Liberal Arts Core

The Liberal Arts Core is comprised of required liberal arts courses that are usually taken in the freshmen and sophomore semesters.

• Writing Skills (8-10 credits)
  3 courses, includes Writing 105 or First Year Seminar (CAS 100), Writing 205, and a writing intensive course which may simultaneously satisfy other core requirements.

• Foreign Language Skills (4-12 credits)
  1-3 courses up to a 201 level. This requirement is fulfilled when students are proficient at a 201 level. New students can take a foreign language proficiency exam to test into courses at their proficiency level. If they test above a 201 level, this requirement is fulfilled.

OR

• Quantitative Skills (6-8 credits)
  2 Courses in sequence, usually in the mathematics. The second course may fulfill other Core requirements. New students can take a mathematics proficiency exam to test into mathematics courses at their proficiency level.

• Divisional Perspectives Requirement (36-40 credits)
  4 courses in each of the three divisions of the liberal arts (12 courses total). Students can choose from hundreds of courses to fulfill these requirements; some courses may fulfill other requirements simultaneously.

  • Humanities: 4 Courses (12 credits), including at least a 2-course sequence.

  • Natural Science and Mathematics: 4 Courses (12-16 credits), including at least a 2-course sequence and one lab course.

  • Social Sciences: 4 Courses (12 credits), including at least a 2-course sequence.

• Critical Reflections on Ethical and Social Issues Requirement (6-8 credits)
  2 approved courses in a subject of choice that are often writing intensive and usually have fewer tests. These courses often count toward other core requirements as well, such as the writing intensive requirement.

To view the 2008-2009 Liberal Arts Core Guidebook, which provides all aspects of the Core including course descriptions, click on the links below:

• Liberal Arts Core Guidebook Part 1
  Introduction
  Liberal Arts Skills requirements
  Divisional Perspectives requirement
  Critical Reflections requiremen
  
• Liberal Arts Core Guidebook Part 2
  Course Descriptions
  
  The Liberal Arts Core is required of all students singly enrolled in The College of Arts and Sciences and of all students dually enrolled in the College and the Newhouse School of Public Communications or School of Education with one exception: Though the Liberal Arts Core is required of all students dually enrolled as first year students in The College and the Newhouse School of Public Communications, students who transfer to the dual program after their first year as singly enrolled students in the Newhouse School will satisfy general requirements for the dual degree program by completing the Newhouse Core Requirements.