Core Curriculum

	EY:100 Introduction to the Science of Ecology fulfills the Science and Technology Core. JS:113 Introduction to Judaism, RE:102 Applied Biblical Ethics, and RE:110 Introduction to Religious Studies fulfill the Values Core. The Futures requirement has been dropped from the Susquehanna University Core Curriculum, effective in the 2004-05 academic year. Some of the courses listed under the Futures heading in the 2003-05 catalog will remain as part of the university curriculum, but they will no longer satisfy a Core requirement. Beginning with the Class of 2008, all students at Susquehanna will be required to complete a capstone experience, valued at a minimum of two semester hours, as part of the Core. Normally completed in the student's senior year, the capstone experience advances on and arises from the lessons and activities offered by a concentrated course of study in the curriculum of a major or an interdisciplinary program. Every major program will offer a capstone experience for its students, who will have the opportunity to express individual intellect, creativity, and/or academic accomplishment through their capstone work. Departments will identify their capstone experiences by the 2006-2007 academic year.

• the interconnectedness of knowledge, encouraging students to cross boundaries between disciplines;
• critical thinking, preparing students to draw sound conclusions from observation and research, and to apply both logic and insight in seeking creative solutions to problems;
• education for citizens of the world, developing in students an understanding of the diverse human community; and
• integration of the learning experience, cultivating each student’s whole mind, talents and capabilities.

The Core is organized in three major segments, with choices in each area shown below. Honors Program students complete Core requirements through specially designed courses shown in italics. Course descriptions are found in departmental sections of the catalog.

Personal Development

University Experience is taken in the first seven weeks of study; the Fitness component may be taken at any time prior to the completion of the second year. Students who participate for one semester in a varsity sport are considered to have completed the Fitness requirement.

The Career Planning course is taken in the fall or spring of the second year.

II. Intellectual Skills. This area of the Core ensures that each student has the opportunity to develop and demonstrate the skills important to success in college: critical thinking and writing; mathematics and logic; foreign language competency; and computer literacy.

A. Transition Skills. Placement tests in mathematics and foreign language determine the beginning level of study for each student; those who can demonstrate mastery may earn exemption from the first three skill requirements.

B. Continuing Skills Development. To develop their intellectual skills across the curriculum, all students complete eight semester hours in writing-intensive courses identified in each semester’s registration schedule. Honors Program students complete this requirement partly through HO:290 Sophomore Essay and HO:500 Senior Honors Research. Research-intensive courses develop information retrieval skills utilizing the library and tools for electronic access, including the Internet. These skills are introduced in Using Computers and continue to be developed in the Writing and Thinking (or Thought); each academic department then offers a research-intensive course for majors, which focuses on the tools and techniques important to that specific area of study.

III. Perspectives on the World. Courses in this section of the Core explore the past, present and future of civilization. They include the experience and contributions of women, minorities and non-Western cultures. They also continue to develop the basic academic skills.

A. Heritage. Great ideas, creations, events and people that have shaped history.

B. Contemporary World. The individual in modern society and the role and impact of science and technology.

C. Values. Belief and behavior systems that influence culture and personal choices.

D. Futures. How history, contemporary trends and choices may affect our future.

Sample Course Sequences. Susquehanna provides sample course sequences throughout this catalog to offer students a general timeline of courses and activities to fulfill major and Core curriculum requirements. All students consult with their major advisors to develop actual schedules based on requirements, course availability and individual needs. In many cases students may be exempt from certain Core or introductory level courses based on previous advanced course work in high school or performance on placement tests.

* Students who have mastered these skills may be exempt from these courses.