University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core

49 credits, plus 1-3 credits for DSC 101 or DSC 201

Students in all undergraduate academic majors and minors at Marymount University complete a common curriculum, known as the Liberal Arts Core. The Liberal Arts Core is an integrated learning experience that develops intellectual as well as practical skills. Its purpose is to enable Marymount students to become critical thinkers and lifelong learners who value and pursue knowledge for its own sake, as well as apply knowledge within their chosen professions.

The Liberal Arts Core reflects the mission of Marymount University — its Catholic identity and the heritage of its founders, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. Central to this mission is a commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition for which faith and reason are in harmony; education of the whole person is centered on examining fundamental questions of human existence and values to deepen an appreciation of life. The Liberal Arts Core is therefore grounded in the traditional humanities and sciences, the study of which provides students with a broad understanding of human cultures and the world around them, prompts them to examine their own lives and values, and encourages them to cultivate their sense of personal and social responsibility. Required subjects include theology, religion, philosophy, history, literature, social science, natural science, and mathematics. Additionally, all first-year undergraduate and transfer students with less than 60 credits are required to enroll in DISCOVER 201 at Marymount during their first semester.

There are several other hallmarks or unifying themes of a Marymount education that are supported by the Liberal Arts Core and other University Requirements. The Liberal Arts Core emphasizes the importance of ethical awareness and reflection by requiring a course in moral principles, and the study of ethical issues permeates the rest of the curriculum. The university curriculum prepares students for life in an increasingly interdependent world by requiring a global perspective course that focuses on contemporary transnational or cross-cultural issues. Many required courses throughout the curriculum focus on developing written communication, critical thinking, and independent research skills. The Liberal Arts Core also provides students with opportunities to develop aesthetic appreciation through the study of fine art and literature.

Together, the courses in the Liberal Arts Core curriculum and University Requirements promote the following regularly assessed fundamental competencies:

• critical thinking
• information literacy
• written communication
• inquiry-based learning

The Liberal Arts Core lies at the heart of academic pursuits at Marymount. It enriches students’ learning, lives, and careers. It fosters each student’s intellectual, spiritual, and moral growth through study, reflection, and application of knowledge. It prepares Marymount students for the challenges of the 21st century by developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to succeed, adapt to change, and contribute to society.