Philosophy and Objectives of the Core Curriculum

Philosophy

Stevenson University is committed to a strong general education program facilitating and preparing students to meet civic responsibilities and employer needs and expectations in a diverse, increasingly global, and ever-changing community. The core curriculum emphasizes the following goals: the development of essential skills; a broad exposure to a diversity of perspectives and values in the liberal arts and sciences; and the exploration of individual, cultural, global, and ethical considerations in human relations. To the degree that the core meets these goals, the University will be achieving its mission, and Stevenson University graduates will be well positioned to succeed in their careers and assume their places as responsible, judicious, and contributing citizens to both their communities and the world.

Objectives of the Core Curriculum

Upon successful completion of the core curriculum, Stevenson University graduates will

1. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
2. Demonstrate basic technological competence.
3. Demonstrate ability to obtain, evaluate, and use information to solve problems.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of basic wellness principles.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse perspectives and values in the liberal arts and sciences.
6. Identify key concepts, perspectives, methods, underlying values, and applications of the fine arts, social sciences, humanities, mathematics, and the sciences.
7. Explore individual, cultural, global, and ethical considerations in human relations.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of individual, cultural, and global differences on human relations.

In 2009, the Faculty Council and the President approved resolutions regarding the University writing and computer literacy requirements.

Goals of the University Writing Requirement

The goals of the Stevenson University writing requirement are to produce graduates who will write with integrity and authority in the style and to the standards of his or her academic discipline and to the standards of academic communication.

Objectives of the University Writing Requirement

Upon successful completion of the writing curriculum, Stevenson University graduates will

1. Demonstrate undergraduate competence in advanced critical thinking: synthesis and evaluation.
2. Demonstrate undergraduate competence to the standards of the academic discipline.
3. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the writing style of the academic discipline.
4. Demonstrate undergraduate competence in finding and identifying sources suitable for a specific problem and a specific audience.

Writing plays a vital role in the Stevenson core curriculum. A sequence of writing courses prepares students to meet the requirements of their university course work and the expectations of future employers. First-year students are placed in writing courses using a combination of Verbal SAT scores and an ETS English placement test (See Placement). Depending on their placement, some students must take ENG 148 Introduction to Composition, which includes a review of grammar. All students must demonstrate competency in writing by earning a minimum of a "C-" in ENG 151 Composition and Writing from Sources. Honors Program students may substitute HON 171 and ENG 172H for ENG 151 and 152. In addition, students are required to take a 200-level writing course which may be in their major.

Goal of the University Computer Literacy Requirement

At Stevenson University, the goal of computer literacy is to equip students with the ability to identify, access, and use technology to communicate effectively and ethically.

Objectives of the University Computer Literacy Requirement

Upon successful completion of the computer literacy curriculum, Stevenson University graduates will

1. Identify basic computer hardware, software, devices, and application.
2. Access the tools and software available to them through the Stevenson University network.
3. Use appropriate technology tools to produce a viable product in an academic and professional environment.
4. Make decisions in an ethical manner while using technology.