Structure

• Section 1 – Richness of Thought

• Section 2 – Natural World

• Section 3 – Human Interactions

• Section 4 – Intellectual Skills

• Section 5 – Connections

• Section 6 – Capstone

Section 1 – Richness of Thought

4 semester hours in Analytical Thought
4 semester hours in Literary Expression
4 semester hours in Artistic Expression

Among the goals of the Richness of Thought area are teaching students to: debate the definitions of literary text, canon(s) and the relationship between them; abstract a problem into a symbolic or mathematical model or framework; and articulate an understanding of the ways in which art can serve as a medium for recognizing and understanding the diversities of human experiences.

Section 2 – Natural World

4 semester hours in Scientific Explanations

On completing the Natural World requirement, students should be able to describe the philosophical underpinnings of science as it is used to explain the natural world and to evaluate the validity of information presented as science.

Section 3 – Human Interactions

4 semester hours in Social Interactions
4 semester hours in Historical Perspectives
4 semester hours in Ethics
0–12 semester hours (depending on placement) in a language other than English
4 semester hours in Ethics Intensive courses

The extensive objectives of this area of the Central Curriculum include helping students to demonstrate an understanding and evaluation of how the methods of social science analysis  are used to identify issues and explore conflict within a contemporary context; to describe how past events and trends are relevant to the present; to articulate the implications of ethical questions for human life; and compare and contrast another language and culture with their own.

Section 4 – Intellectual Skills

2 semester hours in Perspectives
4 semester hours in Writing and Thinking
4 semester hours in an Interdisciplinary course
8 semester hours in Writing Intensive courses
4 semester hours in Oral Intensive courses
4 semester hours in Team Intensive courses

Through this area of the Central Curriculum, students should learn to show an appreciation of how different academic disciplines can supplement and reinforce one another; to work together in a team to analyze and solve problems; and to develop, strengthen and marshal an argument, both orally and in writing.

Section 5 – Connections

4 semester hours in Diversity
4 semester hours in Diversity Intensive courses
An off-campus Cross-Cultural experience that may or may not bear credit, depending on the specific experience selected by the student
2 semester hours in a Cross-Cultural seminar, to be taken after the student returns from his or her Cross-Cultural experience

Their study in this area of the Central Curriculum should lead students to a fundamental understanding of multiple theories and principles of diversity; to demonstrate a complex understanding of culture; and to reflect on their personal growth, social responsibility and the value of active participation in human society.

Section 6 – Capstone

2 semester hours in a Capstone course

The Capstone is designed to enrich students’ academic experience by allowing them to demonstrate what has been learned through a concentrated course of study at Susquehanna.

Courses satisfying Central Curriculum requirements may also be counted toward majors and minors. The Diversity course may cross-count with any one course within the Central Curriculum, merging the requirements for both into a single course offering (e.g. ANTH:413 Race, Ethnicity, and Minorities satisfies both the Diversity requirement and the Social Interactions requirement). Similarly, the Interdisciplinary course may cross-count with any one course within the Central Curriculum.  In addition to satisfying other requirements, an appropriately designated course in the Central Curriculum may also be counted toward one or two Intensive requirements (e.g. ANTH:413 Race, Ethnicity, and Minorities, in addition to satisfying the Diversity requirement and the Social Interactions requirement, also may be applied toward the Writing Intensive requirement).