2024-2025 Catalog 
    
    Dec 13, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog

Core Curriculum


Cura personalis­ - care for the whole person­­ - is at the heart of our core curriculum. It’s a principle that has guided our graduates’ minds, bodies, and spirits for generations. The core curriculum, a collection of six required areas totaling 44 units, is required for all undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

Learning Outcomes

The following general learning goals guide the development of the curriculum. Students should:

  • Be able to speak and write effectively
  • Be able to express ideas in an articulate and persuasive way
  • Be able to understand a mathematical problem and design a solution
  • Be exposed to a wide breadth of disciplines, as a foundation for a general liberal arts education
  • Understand the process of seeking truth and disseminating knowledge
  • Understand historical traditions
  • Appreciate and be able to critically evaluate the arts
  • Understand the nature of society and the relationships between individuals and groups
  • Understand the nature of the physical world, the uses of the scientific method, and the implications of technology
  • Comprehend the variations of people’s relationship with God and develop respect for the religious beliefs of others
  • Understand the moral dimension of every significant human choice, taking seriously how and who we choose to be in the world
  • Understand and value cultural and ethnic differences in a multicultural society and globalizing world
  • Gain the skills and experiences necessary to link education to service
  • Be exposed to opportunities to work for social justice

Requirements

44 units.

The University requirements for the baccalaureate degree include completion of the Core Curriculum.

Students must check with their advisers to determine which courses meet the requirements in each Area.

AREA A - FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNICATION (8 units)


  • Public Speaking (4 units)
  • Rhetoric and Composition (4 units)*

*MUST be completed at USF

Learn More: Area A - Foundations of Communication    

 AREA B - MATHEMATICS AND THE SCIENCES (8 units)


  • Math or Quantitative Science (4 units)
  • Applied or Laboratory Science (4 units)

​​Learn More: Area B - Mathematics and Sciences   

AREA C - HUMANITIES (8 units)


  • Literature (4 units)
  • History (4 units)

Learn More: Area C - Humanities   

AREA D - PHILOSOPHY, THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES, AND ETHICS (12 units)


  • Philosophy (4 units)
  • Theology and Religious Studies (4 units)
  • Ethics (4 units)

Learn More: Area D - Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies, and Ethics  

AREA E - SOCIAL SCIENCES (4 units)


  • Social Sciences (4 units)

​​Learn More: Area E - Social Sciences   

AREA F - VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS (4 units)


  • Visual and Performing Arts (4 units)

Learn More: Area F - Visual and Performing Arts   

COMMUNITY-ENGAGED LEARNING AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS

In addition to completing the Core Curriculum requirements, the baccalaureate degree candidate will have completed a minimum of two requirements within the Core or within his/her major that integrate two mission-driven characteristics: 

  • Community-Engaged Learning requirement may be met by completing course sections designated as “CEL”. The Community-Engaged Learning requirement should guide students to develop civic competencies while addressing some issue of the public good.

 

  • Cultural Diversity requirement may be met by completing course sections designated as “CD”. Courses that promote understanding and appreciation of the richness and diversity of human culture.

Courses that integrate Community-Engaged Learning and Cultural Diversity designations are offered across disciplines and schools.

Learn More: Community-Engaged Learning (CEL)  MUST be completed at USF

Learn More: Cultural Diversity (CD)