Core/Liberal Studies Curriculum and Honors Programs

Core/Liberal Studies Curriculum

CATHLEEN MULLER, Ph.D., Core/LS Director

MISSION:

One enduring element of the mission of Marist College has been to provide students with an experience that blends career preparation with an education in the tradition of the liberal arts. The commitment of the faculty to providing students with a well-rounded education is evident in the Core/Liberal Studies Program which emphasizes the following goals:

• To assist and challenge students to become more aware of their own values and the ethical implications of the choices they face in their public and private worlds.
• To develop in students the capacity to synthesize and integrate methods and insights from a variety of intellectual disciplines.
• To introduce students to the essential ideas and skills that comprise the disciplines of the liberal arts and the sciences.
• To develop in students crucial 21st-century skills including critical thinking, written exposition, public presentation, information literacy, and technological competency.

To achieve these goals, students are exposed to a curriculum that is both integrative and distributive, blending courses that all students take as part of a shared educational experience with elective courses in the liberal arts and sciences.

ACADEMIC FOUNDATION COURSES

The Foundation courses in the Core/Liberal Studies Program introduce students to the College as an intellectual community and instruct them in skills they will use throughout their undergraduate experience and beyond. The First Year Seminar introduces students to critical thinking, writing, public presentation, information literacy, and interdisciplinary study through exploration of a focused topic. The other required Foundation course, Writing for College, enables students to develop their ability to critically analyze and learn through writing. Students also learn methods of scholarly documentation and the organization and presentation of ideas. These skills are essential for success in academic and professional life.

DISTRIBUTION COURSES

The Core/LS Program’s distribution requirements introduce students to a broad range of disciplines and develop their ability to approach problems in an integrative manner. Breadth courses are content-based and emphasize an understanding of the skills, methodology, and ethical issues of each discipline. Philosophical Perspectives, a Breadth course taken by all students, enables students to examine basic philosophical questions concerning knowledge (epistemology), reality (metaphysics), and human values (ethics, political philosophy, aesthetics) essential to the College’s curriculum as a whole. The 12-credit Pathway component of the distribution requirements offers students the opportunity to explore disparate approaches to a focused interdisciplinary topic.

SKILL REQUIREMENTS

In order to build on the skill instruction provided in the Foundation courses, the Core/LS Program requires that each student complete an “intensive” course in: public presentation, and technological competency. These skills courses may overlap with courses taken for the Core/LS Program or in the major field of study.

CAPPING

The Capping course serves as a discipline-based culminating experience for a student’s academic work. Often it also engages with professional issues related to academic majors. In keeping with the skill areas covered within the First Year Seminar, Capping courses require students to demonstrate their mastery of critical thinking, writing, public presentation, and information literacy.

CORE/LS PROGRAM POLICIES

The Core/Liberal Studies Program outlined below is in effect for all incoming freshmen in fall 2013 and thereafter except students in the Professional Studies Major.  Students transferring to Marist may receive Core/Liberal Studies credit for courses previously taken. Core/Liberal Studies courses may not be taken Pass/No Credit.

Once a student has matriculated at Marist, the Core/Liberal Studies Capping Course requirements must be fulfilled at Marist College.

Honors Program

JANINE LARMON PETERSON, Ph.D., Director

The Marist Honors Program has as its mission developing scholars, leaders and global citizens. In keeping with the overall mission of the College, which espouses an ideal dedicated to helping students develop the intellect, character, and skills required for enlightened, ethical, and productive lives in the global community of the 21st century, Marist’s Honors Program will provide opportunities for academic excellence, leadership, cultural enrichment, and global engagement. The Program offers outstanding students in all majors a variety of learning experiences in and outside the academic setting. Honors seminars and co-curricular activities, such as field trips and lectures, bring together talented students who seek a more intensive and extensive educational experience. Promoting the adventure of intellectual pursuits, the Program challenges students to achieve their academic potential while they develop as responsible citizens and leaders in an increasingly culturally complex world. A participating student who successfully completes all of the requirements will receive an Honors certificate, a medallion to be worn at Commencement, and special recognition on his or her college transcript. Students interested in admission should contact the Program Director.