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Core Curriculum

Supporting Success Through Humanistic Education

The Magis Core Curriculum supports and reflects ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ University’s mission of educating the whole person and offering ongoing opportunities for transformation.

Rooted in Jesuit ethos, our core curriculum prepares students for success through a distinctive academic experience that establishes personal values and comprehension skills. Students also develop advanced skills that enable lifelong learning, such as excellence in writing, critical reasoning, synthesis of solutions, communication, and an understanding of the “why” and “how” of associated human behaviors.

All undergraduate students, regardless of school or major, will complete the Magis Core Curriculum requirements. The Magis Core was designed with specific consideration for students seeking to maximize the transformative experience of higher education. Regardless of one’s intended major, the purpose of the Magis Core is to expose students to a broad array of interdisciplinary perspectives.

The Magis Core Curriculum at a Glance

22

Courses spread throughout the ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ undergraduate learning experience

7

Courses required for all undergraduate students in the first or second year

15

Academic disciplines to choose from

Core Components

The Magis Core Curriculum is divided into three tiers, starting with an orientation to academic standards, and proceeding to a more detailed exploration of cross-disciplinary and values-based education.

Expand the sections below to see the full requirement information:

The orientation tier comprises seven required courses to be taken in the first two years of undergraduate study.

  • English: ENGL 1001
  • History: HIST at the 1000 level; CLST 1115/1116
  • Philosophy: PHIL 1101 (all sections)
  • Religious Studies: RLST at the 1000 level
  • Modern/Classical Language: Based on placement (Not required when starting a new language)
  • Mathematics: MATH < 3000, Based on placement (no MATH 1011)
  • Additional Modern/Classical Language or Mathematics: Must be the same language as above

For further information about each of the above courses, consult the ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ University Course Catalog.

The exploration tier consists of eight additional courses taken throughout four years of undergraduate study, including the following:

  • History, Philosophy, Religious Studies: Two (2) Courses, choose from two different disciplines (HIST at 2000 or 3000 level; PHIL, RLST at 2000 level)
    • Literature: One (1) Course, choose from:
    • English (ENGL 1010-1799)
    • Modern Languages & Literatures
    • Classics
  • Visual & Performing Arts: One (1) Course, choose from (VPA 1000 level):
    • Art History & Visual Culture
    • Music (MUSC 1000-2999)
    • Film/Television & Media (FTMA 1000-2999)
    • Studio Art
    • Theatre
  • Natural Sciences: Two (2) Courses, choose from:
    • Biology
    • Biochemistry
    • Chemistry
    • Physics
    • ANTH 1200; ANTH 1210; PSYC 1610 (non-majors only)
  • Behavioral & Social Sciences: Two (2) Courses, choose from:
    • Communication
    • Economics
    • Politics
    • Psychology
    • Sociology & Anthropology

For further information about each of the above courses, consult the ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ University Course Catalog.

The signature elements tier is designed to ground one’s study in cross-disciplinary skills and Jesuit values, comprising seven courses that may be covered through designated Tier 1 or Tier 2 courses, or through designated courses in one's major requirements.

Signature element requirements include:

  • Interdisciplinary: One (1) course, involving:
    • Either a team-taught course, or a cluster course, or an individually-taught course with at least one instructor in the College of Arts and Sciences,
    • Or all courses within the Orientation and Exploration areas.
  • Social Justice: Three (3) Courses, involving:
    • One course provides an introduction to social justice (SJ1), and two additional social justice courses (SJ2), at least one of which accomplishes the learning outcomes through a focus on race (broadly construed), studied intersectionality with gender, and class.
    • SJ1 and one SJ2 course were fulfilled within the Orientation and Exploration areas.
    • One SJ2 course was fulfilled within either the Orientation and Exploration areas or within a major.
  • Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) and Writing In the Discipline (WID): Three (3) Courses, involving:
    • Two courses (within the Orientation and Exploration areas)
    • Plus one additional course fulfilled within either the Orientation and Exploration areas (Writing Across the Curriculum) or within a Major (Writing In the Discipline).

For further information about courses that fulfill the above requirements, consult the ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ University Course Catalog.