Statement and Implementation of Undergraduate Core
Curricular Purpose:
Living Responsibly in an Interdependent World
See also: Marywood University
Mission Statement
The undergraduate core curriculum at Marywood University
is designed to implement the University's mission and goals.
Its central focus may be expressed in the phrase "living
responsibly in an interdependent world." The core curriculum
and undergraduate programs aim to assist students to
incorporate this focus into their personal and professional
lives. In offering this curriculum experience, the
University fulfills its historic mission, which commits it
to "spiritual, ethical and religious values and a tradition
of service," and "which provides a framework that enables
students both to develop fully as persons and to master the
professional and leadership skills necessary for meeting
human needs on regional and global levels."
To live responsibly in an interdependent world, students
must develop a fund of significant knowledge and a
particular set of values and skills and then proceed to
employ these personally and professionally.
To create an environment in which students can develop
into fully human persons, Marywood University integrates
professional programs with a general education curriculum
composed of a strong liberal arts core, general electives
and competencies. Each component contributes an essential
perspective to the central focus of the curriculum.
The liberal arts core is organized into five
categories:
Category I encompasses the New Student Seminar,
which is intended to promote for new students a positive
adjustment and assimilation into the University, and to
introduce them to the University's life, culture, mission,
history, and traditions.
In pursuing studies in Category II, The Human
Condition in Its Ultimate Relationships, students
examine the accumulated human wisdom about God, nature and
humanity, and evaluate their own life position and choices.
They develop their thinking skills, explore the religious
dimension of life and experience the free and responsible
pursuit of truth, as they examine the ultimate questions
that have always engaged human beings. Studies in this
category supply students with a theoretical basis and a
cognitive process for making ethical decisions in promotion
of justice, peace and compassion in the contemporary
world.
The studies included in Category III, The Human
Condition in the Context of the Physical Universe, are
vital for fulfilling the central focus of the core. Many of
the urgent concerns of the interdependent world are
scientifically and technologically based and required
knowledge and analytical skills for effective response. The
studies not only promote an appreciation of nature, but also
an awareness of our dependence upon nature and a sense of
stewardship in fostering the earth's resources.
Essential preparation for living responsibly in an
interdependent world is also provided in Category IV, The
Human Condition in Relation to Self and Society.
Knowledge of past and contemporary societies and systems
promotes recognition of the radical interdependence of human
beings and helps students to respond effectively to human
need. Courses in this category focus on the rich diversity
to be found in human unity, and they also encourage students
to chart the development of their own personalities as they
forge their individual commitments to the well-being of
all.
The studies encompassed in Category V, The Human
Condition in its Cultural Context, heighten students'
sensitivity to human concerns and to the challenges and
delights shared by persons of diverse cultures and
historical periods. They foster aesthetic appreciation and
the ability to communicate effectively within and outside
one's own cultural group. They provide access to
understanding of our partners in interdependence.
The General Electives and Competencies Component of the
general education curriculum is organized into two
categories.
Category I, General Electives, provides students
with a realistic opportunity to pursue a minor or area of
interest outside of their major. General electives are
intended to provide students with flexibility in fulfilling
degree requirements, and are to be understood as free
electives to be taken outside of one's major department.
Category II, Competencies, enables students to
achieve competence in the areas of speech, writing skills,
and physical fitness.
Each course within he general education curriculum
addresses three or more of nine skills areas, including
those that enhance critical thinking, information literacy,
computer/technology utilization skills, writing ability,
awareness of diversity issues, speaking ability, citizenship
and democracy knowledge and skills, an aesthetic sense, and
enhance an understanding of religious, spiritual, and
philosophical issues. These skills are further fostered in
all the professional programs which are pursued in
integration with the general education curriculum.
The curricula for the professional programs consist of
complex systematic bodies of theoretical and practical
knowledge. These programs enable students to develop into
competent professionals who are recognized for their
specialized knowledge, who serve the individual and society
with compassion and who have concern for the effectiveness
and honor of their professions. A professional person has an
obligation to continue education and research and to share
knowledge for the common good.
The total undergraduate curriculum promotes lifelong
independent learning and fosters the development of creative
and responsive leadership in personal and professional life.
It is hoped that, as a result of their studies, students
will be able to fulfill the mission of the University,
learning to live responsibly in this interdependent
world.
In summary, as a result of their undergraduate education
at Marywood, students should be able to:
- explore the religious dimensions of life, respectful
of its multiple manifestations.
- think critically and creatively in both the
theoretical and practical aspects of life.
- appreciate the value and dignity they share with
others as human beings.
- comprehend the dynamic natural and historical
processes that have shaped the world.
- apply the wisdom of the humanities to the examination
and evaluation of contemporary issues.
- understand the fundamentals of science and their
relationship to nature, technology and society.
- enjoy beauty, both natural and humanly created.
- read, write and speak effectively and achieve
computer literacy.
- communicate efficiently in a foreign language.
- reason abstractly and mathematically.
- utilize resources essential for research, academic
success and lifelong learning.
- assume responsibility for their own health and
physical well-being.
- demonstrate professional competence and leadership
skills that have the potential for meeting human needs
and are directed to the well-being of future
generations.
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