Carlow’s core curriculum is an integrated academic experience that incorporates the values of the institution with the knowledge and skills inherent in the liberal arts. The core encourages independent thinking as it prepares students for participation in the global community and for lifelong learning. The core curriculum is framed around three components: inquiry, skills, and integrative learning experiences.
I. INQUIRY, ANALYSIS, AND SYNTHESIS
Liberal Arts Inquiry (LAI) Courses: These areas of knowledge in the liberal arts approach learning through a process of inquiry and questioning from a variety of disciplines. One course in each of the specified disciplines is required. These 11 LAI areas were chosen to give students a broad understanding of the liberal arts:
- Fine Arts
- History
- Literary Arts
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences
- Philosophy
- Political Science/Economics
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Theology
- Women’s Studies
- Global Society and Languages
Liberal Arts Sequence: A set of three courses in a single liberal arts discipline outside of one’s chosen major is required.
Back to Top II. SKILLS
Skill proficiency enables the lifelong learner to effectively seek out information, apply it in making decisions and communicate reasoning to others. Introductory skills courses along with five skills integration courses are required.
Introductory Skills Courses
(to be completed within the first year)
- College Writing and Research (CC100)
- Presentation Skills and Argumentation (CC101)
- Quantitative Reasoning (CC102)
Skills Integration Courses
(beyond the first year courses)
One skills integration course in each of five skills areas is required. These courses build on the skills foundation introduced in the CC courses and lead the student to proficiency in each skills area.
- Writing (W)
- Speaking (S)
- Quantitative Reasoning (Q)
- Research (R)
- Technology (T)
Back to Top III. INTEGRATIVE LEARNING
Integrative learning experiences assist the student in extending learning across disciplines and within the community. The goal of the integrative experiences is to help the student to see a wider perspective of the world and to see below the surface of issues and situations.
Experiences:
First Year Experience (FYE) Course
This course is taken in the first semester and is required of all first year, full time, day students. The FYE course orients students to the academic community and to academic success. The course also introduces students to their electronic portfolio. FYE is graded on a pass or fail basis.
*Interdisciplinary Experience OR Linked Course Experience
Students must complete one Linked or Interdisciplinary course experience. These may be fulfilled by LAI courses, courses in one’s major, and/or electives. Linked courses are two courses that have separate syllabi and instructors. Each syllabus will describe ways in which the courses are linked. Interdisciplinary courses will be a single course having one syllabus taught by two or more instructors. A primary objective of both Linked and Interdisciplinary courses is to facilitate learning that integrates the content, perspectives, and methodology of two or more disciplines.
*Service Learning Experience
One Service Learning course is required for graduation. The Service Learning course seeks to connect students to the university’s mission by providing an opportunity for expanded intellectual and social development for students while serving the community at large. A service learning reflection paper must be included in the student’s electronic portfolio, which documents and reflects on the service learning course experience.
Senior Capstone Experience
All students are required to complete a senior capstone experience in their major area of study. The capstone experience may be a course or an internship that provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their competency in the major while, at the same time, reflecting on the value of their Carlow University liberal arts education. The capstone experience includes a liberal arts reflection assignment that is included in the student’s e-portfolio.
Electronic Portfolio
All students are expected to create an electronic portfolio and maintain it throughout each of their years at Carlow University. Most students will create their portfolio during their first semester in their FYE course; transfer students do this with the help of their academic advisor. Students are expected to include specific samples of their learning (artifacts) in this portfolio, such as writing samples, video clips of speeches, skills course assignments, and reflection pieces. Academic programs, as well as institutional assessment, may also require specific samples of students’ work to be included in the portfolio.
* These requirements are currently suspended for ADC students.
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