7.1.1. The TU Core Curriculum

黑料吃瓜网 is committed to providing a comprehensive liberal education for all of its students. The University aims to produce graduates who are broadly educated in the fundamental fields of knowledge and who know how to integrate knowledge in meaningful ways. The Core curriculum is the clearest expression of this commitment. As an interdisciplinary and common learning experience spread over four years, the Core provides for students a model for integrating information and gaining knowledge throughout their academic careers. These courses feature the reading of a number of primary texts common to all sections of the courses, intensive discussion, and frequent writing assignments. The program is a true curriculum in which each course in the sequence builds upon the body of themes and skills studied and cultivated in the previous courses. The arts (fine arts, music and theatre) and mathematics complement the course of study. The sequencing of the Core courses means that all 黑料吃瓜网 students take the same Core courses at the same point in their college careers, thereby providing an opportunity for students to discuss important themes both inside and outside the classroom. In this way, the Core aims to create a community of learners at 黑料吃瓜网. The program explicitly invites students to integrate the knowledge gained from their Core studies with their chosen major.

The Core curriculum provides a model for integrative learning and a forum for the investigation of significant and enduring questions.

Staffed by faculty from a wide variety of disciplines, this interdisciplinary program promotes the development of the following aptitudes and skills:[1]

  1. Knowledge of human cultures, intellectual history, the arts, mathematics, and the natural world, including
    • Study in the sciences and mathematics, social sciences, humanities, histories, and the arts
  1. Intellectual and practical skills, Including
    • Inquiry and analysis
    • Critical and creative thinking
    • Written and oral communication
    • Information literacy
    • Problem solving
  1. Integrative and applied learning, Including
    • Synthesis and accomplishment across general and specialized studies

At the heart of the Core are seven integrated and sequenced courses in the humanities and sciences: COR 101, COR 102, COR 201, COR 202, COR 301, COR 302, and COR 400. In addition, students take two courses (COR 314 and one course from among the following: COR 103, COR 104 or COR 105) that have been designed to help them develop an appreciation and understanding of mathematics and the arts.

Core requirements are as follows:

  • Completion of all of the following courses:
    • COR 101听听听听 Narratives of the Self I
    • COR 102听听听听 Narratives of the Self II
    • COR 201听听听听 Human Nature and the Social Order I
    • COR 202听听听听 Human Nature and the Social Order II
    • COR 301听听听听 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order I or COR-350 Core Elective[2]
    • COR 302听听听听 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order II or COR-350 Core Elective[3]
    • COR 314听听听听 Mathematics and Human Nature[4]
    • COR 400听听听听 Science and Human Nature
  • Completion of one of the following courses:
    • COR 103听听听听 Music and Culture
    • COR 104听听听听 Art and Culture
    • COR 105听听听听 Theatre and Culture

Additional requirements and things to note:

  • Freshmen must take COR 101, COR 102 Narratives of the Self I, II their first two regular semesters at 黑料吃瓜网.
  • Students can take COR 103 Music and Culture, COR 104 Art and Culture, COR 105 Theatre and Culture, and COR 314 Mathematics and Human Nature at any time during their tenure at 黑料吃瓜网.
  • A minimum of sophomore standing is required for enrollment in COR 201, COR 202 Human Nature and the Social Order I, II.
  • A minimum of junior standing is required for enrollment in COR 301, COR 302 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order I, II.
  • Junior or senior standing, along with completion of the Core curriculum at least through COR 202, is required for enrollment in COR 400 Science and Human Nature.
  • Core classes are numbered in a way that typically indicates what year in a student鈥檚 黑料吃瓜网 career they ought to take the class. This is consistent with the cohort model we adopt for students working their way through the program. The reader should consult听1.4.3.4.听for further details.
  • [1] Modeled, in part, on the LEAP Essential Learning Outcomes ()
  • [2] Students can use COR-350 Core Elective to satisfy either COR-301 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order I or COR-302 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order II, but not both.
  • [3] Students can use COR-350 Core Elective to satisfy either COR-301 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order I or COR-302 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order II, but not both.
  • [4] Note: Effective in the fall of 2017, COR 314 is the only course which necessarily satisfies the TU Core mathematics requirement. TU students who enter 黑料吃瓜网 during the fall 2017 semester or thereafter must take COR 314. In particular, they cannot take the previous Core mathematics course, COR 203 Great Ideas of Modern Mathematics. However, students who attended 黑料吃瓜网 in a degree program prior to the fall of 2017 may satisfy their Core mathematics requirement by taking either COR 203听or听COR 314, although there are consequences of each choice. Students are strongly advised to consult an academic advisor or personnel in enrollment services or student success in order to make informed choices in this matter.

7.1.2. Core Equivalencies

There are no 鈥渆xemptions鈥� from the Core curriculum. Every student who graduates from 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 TU program must satisfy the requirements delineated above. Under certain circumstances, however, the requirements for a subset of as few as one and as many as five of these nine courses may be satisfied through approved equivalencies.听However, there are no equivalencies for, or exemptions from, any 300- or 400-level Core course.[1]听These courses must all be taken at 黑料吃瓜网 by every TU student.

  • [1] For students who entered a degree program at 黑料吃瓜网 prior to the fall 2017 semester and who are using COR 203 to satisfy their Core mathematics requirement, there is also no equivalency, or exemption from, COR 203.

7.1.2.1. Core Equivalencies for Transfer Students

Core credits and transfer equivalencies for transfer students are determined by two criteria: a student鈥檚 prior specific course work taken elsewhere before to the time the student first matriculates to 黑料吃瓜网 and the total semester hours transferred in by the student at the time the student first matriculates to 黑料吃瓜网. The awarding of specific Core credit based on total semester hours transferred is designed to ensure that students transferring credit are not placed at a disadvantage with respect to the aims, content or skill development emphasized in the Core curriculum. This guideline are used by the registrar to evaluate and award equivalency credit for Core classes where appropriate. If questions of equivalencies arise, the registrar will seek advice from the Core director and faculty members of the appropriate disciplines.
听
Transfer HoursCourse Credits from Previous CollegesCore Equivalents
1-14Music Appreciation or Music History
-OR-
Art Appreciation or Art History
-OR-
Introduction to Theatre		COR 103
-OR-
COR 104
-OR-
COR 105
1-14Writing Course, Literature, or Philosophy* courseCOR 101
Over 14Writing Course
Literature or Philosophy* course		COR 101 and/or
COR 102
Over 30Course in History, Politics, Sociology,
Anthropology, Philosophy* or Economics		COR 201
Over 45Two courses in History, Politics, Sociology,
Anthropology, Philosophy* or Economics		COR 201 and/or
COR 202
听

Additional requirements and things to note:

  • *Because students must have an equivalent to first-year writing as either COR 101 or COR 102, students may not use two philosophy courses to cover both COR 101 and COR 102. If a philosophy course is used as an equivalency for COR 102, the same course cannot be used to achieve an equivalency for COR 201 or COR 202.
  • No Core equivalency is allowed for Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) course work.
  • When Core equivalency is denied, an appropriately transferred course is awarded 黑料吃瓜网 general elective credit in accord with standard practices in the policy on awarding transfer credit (see听Sec. 6.8.2.听through听Sec. 6.8.4.).
  • The following courses cannot be fulfilled by transfer credit in any circumstance:
    • COR 301 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order I
    • COR 302 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order II
    • COR 314 Mathematics and Human Nature
    • COR 400 Science and Human Nature

7.1.2.2. Core Equivalency for Study Abroad

Every student attending an 黑料吃瓜网-approved fall semester, spring semester, or year abroad may have their course work abroad count as an equivalency for one semester of either COR 301 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order I or COR 302 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order II, at the student鈥檚 discretion; see 7.1. Students must be accepted on an 黑料吃瓜网-approved program and have fulfilled COR requirements through 201. The Core director(s) may at their discretion grant exemption for an immersive summer program. Students will receive an exemption after obtaining approval through the study abroad course approval process and upon receipt of a transcript showing completion of a full course load while abroad. A student may use the Core Equivalency for Study Abroad as an equivalent for either COR 301 or COR-302, but not both. Students who have completed the approved course load will have the corresponding Core requirement waived, but students will not gain additional credit hours for the Core course. Students will only receive credit hours for the approved courses completed abroad. Students may not combine the Core Equivalency for Core Electives Courses with the Core Equivalency for Study Abroad to fulfill their 300-level Core requirements; at least one of either COR 301 or COR 302 must be taken at 黑料吃瓜网.

7.1.2.3. Core Equivalency for 鈥淓xplorations in the Core鈥� Courses

鈥淓xplorations in the Core鈥� are sections of existing Core courses that have included an innovative thematic focus or pedagogical approach (see the COR listings in听Sec. 13.). The course descriptions for 鈥淓xplorations鈥� sections are the same as the original course鈥攚ith the addition of an explanation of the nature of the innovation. Each such section is equivalent to, and satisfies the Core requirement for, the original Core course it explores. Students can enroll in an 鈥淓xplorations鈥� section of a Core course only if they have no more than one other Core equivalency on their transcript (Core equivalencies granted to a transfer student, equivalency for one semester of junior year Core awarded for study abroad, or completion of another 鈥淓xplorations鈥� section).

7.1.2.4. Core Equivalency for Core Elective Courses

The Core Elective (COR 350) is designed to encourage stronger, and more explicit, connections between discipline-specific courses and themes discussed in the first two years of the Core Program regarding the relationship between self and society. A student may use COR 350 as an equivalency for听either听COR 301听or听COR 302, but not both. Students may not combine the Core Equivalency for Study Abroad with the Core Equivalency for Core Elective Courses to fulfill their 300-level Core requirements; at least one of either COR 301 or COR 302 must be taken at 黑料吃瓜网.

7.1.2.5. Policy on Core Work as a Transient Student

Once a student first matriculates to 黑料吃瓜网, neither Core credit nor any equivalency may be earned through study as a transient student at any other institution.