University Core Curriculum

Introduction

The University of New Haven is a student-centered comprehensive university with an emphasis on excellence in liberal arts and professional education. Our mission is to prepare our students to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives in a global society by providing the highest-quality education through experiential, collaborative, and discovery-based learning.

An educated person at the University of New Haven demonstrates a balance of liberal arts, professional, and experiential education.  General education is addressed through the University Core Curriculum (as outlined below) and discipline education is addressed through the major requirements within each program. The University of New Haven experience also includes two additional core skills that fully round out the general education program: experiential learning and writing across the curriculum.

Experiential Education

All University of New Haven undergraduates complete a minimum of two courses or experiences that are recognized as designated high impact practice (HIP) that offer experiential learning opportunities. Colleges or programs may designate specific courses that fulfill all or part of this requirement. A designated high impact practice can be in one of the following five categories (1) study abroad courses, (2) courses with a community-based project such as a service learning course or S.L.I.C.E course (3) courses or fellowships with a faculty-mentored research project (4) internships, practicums, or clinical field placements (5) courses/experiences designated by departments as meeting the High Impact Practice Requirement that do not clearly fit with the previous four categories.

Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)

"W" designated courses indicate a writing-intensive course.  Every University of New Haven undergraduate must take at least one "W" course, whether as part of the Core or through a major's requirements and electives, prior to graduation.  This requirement applies to all bachelor and associate degrees.

University Core Curriculum Overview

The Core encourages interdisciplinary interaction; establishes competency-based outcomes throughout the institution; provides flexibility in achieving those outcomes; and allows for a standardized campus-wide assessment of the general education requirements.  The University of New Haven's Core Curriculum strives to develop nine basic competencies among its undergraduate students so they may better understand and relate to diverse people, succeed in their chosen careers, and pursue lifelong learning after completing their education.

The design of the core is inspired greatly by the American Association of Colleges and Universities' "LEAP Model"-Liberal Education for America's Promise. The LEAP initiative seeks to make excellence inclusive by providing essential learning outcomes, high-impact educational practices, and authentic assessments.  This LEAP model was adapted to create a University Core that fits with the unique mission, purposes, and identity of the University of New Haven.

The University Core aims to graduate students who:

• communicate effectively, both in writing and orally,
• apply quantitative techniques to derive useful information from data,
• think critically and solve real world problems,
• appreciate scientific exploration of the natural world,
• realize their role and responsibilities within a larger society,
• embrace the diversity of cultural differences,
• participate effectively as citizens of their own country and the world, and
• appreciate the aesthetic value of artistic works.

Each of the nine competency categories possesses two tiers of expectations.  Tier 1 provides breadth through a fundamental set of outcomes that every student will complete, whereas Tier 2 provides depth through higher-level learning outcomes related to more focused content. Tier 2 courses can be selected by the student if not prescribed by the student's major program.  In consultation with a faculty adviser, and based on degree requirements, each student will select core courses from the nine categories as outlined below:

 

Degree	Core Credit Hour Breakdown		Total Core Hours
Bachelor	Tier 1        1 course per category	28 credit hours	At least 40 credit hours
	Tier 2        3 or 4 courses from various                  categories	12 credit hours
Associate	Tier 1         1 course each from:                    Written Communication,                    Oral Communication,                    Mathematical Literacy, and                    Critical Thinking.	12 credit hours	At least 20 credit hours
	Tier 1 or              2 or 3 courses from Tier 2        additional categories	8 credit hours

Notes:

1. The adviser and student are cautioned to take note of the prerequisites for courses and plan core choices accordingly.
2. A student may not use a single course to satisfy more than one category of the core.
3. An academic program may require certain choices within both Tier 1 and Tier 2 core categories. Program requirements may not limit core course choices without the approval of the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
4. The university will determine the appropriate placement level for students in English, Mathematics and certain specialized disciplines, indicating remedial work may be required.  As with any course, a core course may be satisfied through approved transfer credit from another institution, or other types of credit (e.g., an Advance Placement exam) as noted elsewhere in the catalog.
5. If a student places out of Tier 1 in Mathematical & Quantitative Literacy based on a proctored exam administered by the Mathematics Department, they will proceed to a Tier 2 course as required by their major program or, if no higher math course is required, they will take any other core course chosen in consultation with their major advisor.

University Core Curriculum Course Inventory

The sections below provide the Tier 1 and Tier 2 learning outcomes for each of the nine core competencies, as well as the courses by which students can fulfill the requirements for that competency.

Core Competency 1 - Written Communication

In Tier 1, the student will be able to produce effective writing that demonstrates an understanding of the relationships among audience, purpose, and voice; craft a written response to multiple texts that puts the student's ideas into conversation with those in the texts; and develop a writing process that incorporates invention, research, drafting, sharing with others, revision, editing, and reflection. This can be accomplished in the following courses:

CC1 - Written Communication Tier 1	Number	Title
	ENGL 1112   ENGL 1113   ENGL 1114	Academic Inquiry and Writing Academic Inquiry and Writing - Intl Students Academic Inquiry and Writing with Lab

In Tier 2, the student will be able to communicate within the writing conventions of a specific discipline through attention to tone, format, and style; compose written work that demonstrates mastery of concepts in the discipline; and craft a written response to professional writing that puts the student's ideas into a disciplinary conversation. This can be accomplished in the following courses:

CC1 - Written Communication Tier 2	Number	Title
	ARHS 3375  ARTS 3301     ARTS 3336   ENGL 2220   ENGL 2225   ENGL 2270   ENGL 3342   ENGL 3343  GRDE 4404    HLTH 2250	Art Theory and Criticism Writing for Designers Narrative Photography Writing for Business and Industry Technical Writing and Presentation Advanced Essay Workshop Grant Writing Writing for Digital Environments Senior Thesis II Project and Exhibition Health Sciences Research Design and Writing I

 

Core Competency 2 - Oral Communication and Presentation

In Tier 1, the student will be able to deliver an oral presentation appropriate to the audience and purpose; explain the fundamental principles of communication theory; and adapt oral communication to various interpersonal contexts, such as group discussion, leadership, and conflict situations. This can be accomplished in the following course:

CC2 - Oral Communication and Presentation Tier 1	Number	Title
	COMM 1130	Principles of Communication

In Tier 2, the student will be able to apply communication principles to team building; adapt communication to intercultural contexts; and integrate methods of persuasion into an oral presentation or interaction. This can be accomplished in the following courses:

CC2 - Oral Communication and Presentation Tier 2	Number	Title
	COMM 2200   DGAD 2001   ENGL 2230	Small Group Communication Multimedia Communication Public Speaking and Group Discussion

 

Core Competency 3 - Mathematical and Quantitative Literacy

In Tier 1, the student will be able to apply mathematical concepts and principles to solve problems; differentiate among multiple representations of mathematical information; and assess mathematical reasonableness and consistency. This can be accomplished in the following courses:

CC3 - Mathematical and Quantitative Literacy   Tier 1	Number	Title
	MATH 1104  MATH 1107    MATH 1108   MATH 1110   MATH 1115   MATH 2228	Quantitative Reasoning College Mathematics with Embedded Review College Mathematics College Algebra Precalculus Elementary Statistics

In Tier 2, the student will be able to generate mathematical models based on abstract concepts; justify the correctness of a solution based on assumptions made and known limitations of methods used; and solve complex mathematical problems involving multiple mathematical forms and techniques or draw appropriate conclusions as the result of performing quantitative data analysis based on sound assumptions regarding estimation and modeling. This can be accomplished in the following courses:

CC3 - Mathematical and Quantitative Literacy   Tier 2	Number	Title
	BANL 1100   FINC 1123  HLTH 2240    MATH 1117   MATH 1118   MATH 2203  MATH 2221    PSYC 3301	Intro to Business Analytics Personal Finance Statistics for Health Sciences Calculus I Calculus II Calculus III Foundations of Mathematics Statistics for Behavioral Sciences

 

Core Competency 4 - Scientific Exploration

In Tier 1, the student will be able to articulate structural and/or functional aspects of elements of a portion of the natural world; use discipline-specific methodologies and technologies to draw conclusions about natural phenomena; and illustrate the effects of scientific knowledge and progress on societal issues. This can be accomplished in the following courses:

CC4 - Scientific Exploration Tier 1	Number	Title
	BIOL 1121 /3 BIOL 1125 /6 BIOL 2253 /5 CHEM 1105 /6 CHEM 1115 /7  ENVS 1101 /2 PHYS 1100 /1 PHYS 1115 /6  PHYS 1103 /13  PHYS 1104 /14  PHYS 1130 /1  PHYS 1150 /1 PHYS 2205 /6	Intro to General and Human Biology I with Lab Contemporary Issues in Biology with Lab Biology I for Science Majors with Lab Intro to General & Organic Chemistry with Lab General Chemistry I with Lab Intro to Environmental Science with Lab Introductory Physics with Lab Physics of Sports with Lab General Physics I with Lab General Physics II with Lab Physics of Color and Light with Lab Calculus-Based Physics I with Lab Calculus-Based Physics II with Lab

In Tier 2, the student will be able to evaluate the conduct and/or design of scientific inquiry; and apply advanced methods/techniques in conducting scientific inquiry or assess the potential implications of scientific inquiry. This can be accomplished in the following courses:

CC4 - Scientific Exploration Tier 2	Number	Title
	BIOL 2250 /1 BIOL 3311 /13 BIOL 4461 /2  DIET 2200 /1  ENVS 4500   MARN 2200 /1 PHYS 2211	Invertebrate Zoology with Lab Molecular Biology with Lab Biochemistry with Lab Food Science & Preparation with Lab Environmental Geoscience with Lab Oceanography with Lab Modern Physics

 

Competency 5 - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

In Tier 1, the student will be able to compose analytical and/or argumentative essays that address a specific question; discern the relevance of available information as it pertains to supporting a chosen position; and identify ways in which diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging intersect with individual and/or collective life experiences and perspectives. This can be accomplished in the following courses:

CC5 - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Tier 1	Number	Title
	BUSA 1000  EASC 1125   EASC 1126   HLTH 1141  INTS 1141     UNIV 1125  UNIV 1141	Introduction to Business and Entrepreneurship Societal Issues in the Cyberworld Entrepreneurial Concepts Engr and Science Pandemics and Public Health Threats Diversity and Social Justice The UNCommon Course Intro to Academic Research and Project Mgmt

In Tier 2, the student will be able to synthesize information from multiple sources to solve a problem; follow a process to develop an effective solution to a problem; and assess the effectiveness of a proposed solution to a problem. This can be accomplished in the following courses:

CC5 - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Tier 2	Number	Title
	BUSL 2201   CSCI 1110   DHYG 2240   DHYG 3325   EASC 2211   ECON 1134   ECON 3370   ENVS 4540   GRDE 1110   HIST 3310   HLTH 2230  ILLU 3355  INTS 2200    LSTD 4440   MARA 3204  NSEC 2255    PHIL 2210   PHIL 2250   PSCI 1125   PSCI 2250   PSCI 3308   PSCI 3309	International Business Law Intro to Programming/C Dental Hygiene Concepts II with Lab General and Oral Pathology Intro to Modeling of Engineering Syst Intro to Microeconomics Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Intro to Geographical Info Systems Applications of Graphic Design Production Environmental History Bioethics Illustration III Guided Inquiry for Community Engagement Law and Policy Global Change Introduction to the History of Cryptography Logic Philosophy of Religion Introduction to Public Policy Political Conflict Resolution Legislative Process The American Presidency

 

Competency 6 - Historical Perspectives

In Tier 1, the student will be able to explain the historical interplay of transformational events and movements in one or more broad regions; evaluate primary and secondary historical sources for their perspective and credibility; and examine the impact of different political, economic, socio-cultural, or religious systems on the historical development of civilizations. This can be accomplished in the following courses:

CC6 - Historical Perspectives Tier 1	Number	Title
	HIST 1000   HIST 1100   HIST 1101   HIST 1102   HIST 1108   HIST 1120   HIST 1121   HIST 1122  HIST 2207    HIST 2240   HIST 2241  HIST 2260  HIST 2500     HIST 3314    HIST 3381 -5	Thinking Historically About ... Inventing our Modern World Early Societies: Being Human in Antiquity Modern Societies: Being Human in Modern Times History of Science African-American History The Making of Early America The Meaning of Modern America World History Since 1945 Making Colonial Latin America Making Modern Latin America Great Power Rivalries in Asia Humanity by the Numbers Black History through Film Special Topics

In Tier 2, the student will be able to examine the historical interplay of transformational events and movements in a specific context; evaluate trends and inconsistencies in historical interpretations and/or assessments of events; and synthesize historical data from primary and secondary sources into coherent analytical arguments that address questions about the past. This can be accomplished in the following courses: 

CC6 - Historical Perspectives Tier 2	Number	Title
	HIST 2208  HIST 2400   HIST 3300     HIST 3304   HIST 3305   HIST 3312  HIST 3313   HIST 3315   HIST 3352   HIST 3360   HIST 3361   HIST 3362  HIST 3363  HIST 3364   HIST 3367  HIST 3370     HIST 3386 -9  HIST 3430   HIST 3440   HIST 4040  NSEC 2252   NSEC 3342   THEA 2241   THEA 2242	Military History Digital Projects in History Medieval Crime & Punishment Gaming the Past Self & Other in the Renaissance Modern U.S. History Poverty in America Black Activism: Civil Rights to Black Lives Matter Empires: Conquest & Identities England: Restoration and Empire Modern & Contemporary Britain: 1815 - Present Russia: Tsars & Serfs Russia: Empire & Communism War and Espionage Revolutions: Values & Power US-China and the 21st Century Special Topics Becoming Latinx Sport in Latin America Race/Ethnicity Latin America History of Intelligence War and Espionage Studies in Theater History Studies in Musical Theater History

 

Competency 7 - The Individual and Society

In Tier 1, the student will be able to relate theories or perspectives on thought, behavior, and decision-making to personal and social awareness; articulate various theories or perspectives of social interaction; and reflect upon group or organizational membership as it relates to ethical conduct. This can be accomplished in the following courses:

CC7 - The Individual and Society Tier 1	Number	Title
	ARHS 2250   CJST 1100   CSCI 3316   EASC 2215   HLTH 1100   LSTD 1105   LSTD 2220   LSTD 3340   PHIL 1101   PHIL 2215   PHIL 2222   PHIL 2251   PSCI 1101   PSCI 1121   PSCI 1122   PSYC 1111   PSYC 1112  SMGT 1120    SOCI 1113	Modern Art, Modernity, and Modernism Introduction to Criminal Justice Professional Issues in Computing Technology Sustainability, Ethics, and Professional Issues Introduction to Health Professions Justice in America Mediation Equality and Law Introduction to Philosophy Nature of Self Ethics Philosophy of Race Introduction to Politics American Government and Politics State and Local Government Introduction to Psychology Introduction to Psychology for Majors Social Issues in Sport Sociology

In Tier 2, the student will be able to evaluate the decisions and interactions of individuals and/or groups; compare and contrast various theories/perspectives regarding the individual and society; and express a personal philosophy or code of ethics in the context of social responsibility. This can be accomplished in the following courses: 

CC7 - The Individual and Society Tier 2	Number	Title
	CJST 3360  ECON 1133     HLTH 2200  INTS 1100    PSCI 2222   PSCI 3332  PSYC 3380    SOCI 2210   SOCI 2270  SOCI 3380	Pimps, Pushers, and Perverts Intro to Macroeconomics Introduction to the US Healthcare System Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies US Foreign Policy Constitutional Law Qualitative Research Methods Social Challenges and Controversies in Gaming Social Inequality Qualitative Research Methods

 

Competency 8 - Global and Intercultural Awareness

In Tier 1, the student will be able to interpret various aspects of another society's material and expressive culture; identify differences among the culture being studied and other cultures; and explain some of the cultural practices related to the formation of social identities. This can be accomplished in the following courses: 

CC8 - Global and Intercultural Awareness Tier 1	Number	Title
	ARBC 1101   ARBC 1102   ARBC 2201  CHIN 1101    CHIN 1102   CHIN 2201    DIET 1175  ECON 1200    ENGL 2201   ENGL 2202   ENGL 2262   FREN 1101   FREN 1102   FREN 2201    GLBS 1100   HTMG 3305    HTMG 3307   HTMG 3312   ITAL 1101   ITAL 1102   ITAL 2201    LSTD 3350   MUSC 1112  PHIL 2201    PHIL 2230   PSCI 1123   PSCI 2241   RUSS 1101   RUSS 1102   RUSS 2201  SMGT 1130    SPAN 1101   SPAN 1102   SPAN 2201	Elementary Arabic I Elementary Arabic II Intermediate Arabic I Conversational Chinese I Conversational Chinese II Intermediate Chinese I Food, Nutrition, and Culture Strife, Protest, & Progress: World Current Events Early World Literature Modern World Literature Immigrant Literature Elementary French I Elementary French II Intermediate French I Introduction to Global Studies Wine Appreciation Cultural Understanding of Food and Cuisine Unconventional Foods Elementary Italian I Elementary Italian II Intermediate Italian I Global Legal Systems Music and Global Cultures Philosophies of the World Introduction to Islam Introduction to Comparative Politics International Relations Elementary Russian I Elementary Russian II Intermediate Russian I Globalization of Sport Elementary Spanish I Elementary Spanish II Intermediate Spanish I

In Tier 2, the student will be able to interpret aspects of the material and expressive culture of a specific region and/or group; evaluate differences among the culture being studied and other cultures; and analyze the cultural practices of a specific region and/or group. This can be accomplished in the following courses:

CC8 - Global and Intercultural Awareness Tier 2	Number	Title
	ARBC 2202  ARBC 2222    ARBC 3301  BUSL 2201   CHIN 2202  CHIN 2222    CHIN 3301  DSGN 4400     ECON 2200   ENGL 2217   ENGL 2218   ENGL 3325    FREN 2202  GRDE 3550  HTMG 4405     HTMG 4407   ITAL 2202  ITAL 2222    ITAL 2250   ITAL 3301    ITAL 4410   ITAL 4411   LSTD 3370   PSCI 2244   PSCI 2246   PSCI 2247   PSCI 2281   PSCI 2282   PSCI 2285   RUSS 2202   RUSS 3301   RUSS 3303   RUSS 3304   RUSS 2222   SPAN 2202   SPAN 3301   SPAN 3302   SPAN 4401   SPAN 4402	Intermediate Arabic II Arabic-Speaking & Muslim Culture/Lit/Media Advanced Arabic International Business Law Intermediate Chinese II Chinese Culture, Literature, and Media Advanced Chinese Design Innovation in Italy Global Economy African American Literature I African American Literature II Irish Literature Intermediate French II Communication Design Technologies in Italy Top Shelf High End Wines and Spirits Food in America Intermediate Italian II Italian Culture, Literature, and Media Contemporary Italian Life and Culture Advanced Italian Italian Literature of Migration Crime and Punishment in Italian Literature Law and Culture: Study Abroad Model United Nations Global Frontier Africa Politics of Globalization Comparative Political Systems: Asia Comparative Political Systems: Europe Comparative Political Systems: Middle East Intermediate Russian I Advanced Russian Adv Russian: Focus on Reading and Translation Displaced Lives & Exiles Russia & Eastern Europe Russian Culture, Identities, Struggle for Freedom Intermediate Spanish II Advanced Spanish: Composition Advanced Spanish: Conversation Latin American Culture Through Literature Media US Latino Literature and Culture

Competency 9 - Perspectives on Creative Arts

In Tier 1, the student will be able to describe various forms of creative arts as expressive and material culture in social contexts; examine the respective roles of technique, process, and methodology needed to produce creative artworks in various media forms; and draw conclusions about the use and function of a creative art practice and/or specific artworks within historical and/or cultural contexts. This can be accomplished in the following courses:

CC9 - Perspectives on Creative Arts Tier 1	Number	Title
	ARHS 2218   ARTS 1101   ARTS 1102   ARTS 2231   ARTS 2232   ARTS 2233  DGAD 2250  ENGL 1134     ENGL 2200   ENGL 2201   ENGL 2202   ENGL 2211   ENGL 2212   ENGL 2213   ENGL 2214  ENGL 2215    ENGL 2217   ENGL 2218  ENGL 2233    ENGL 2235   ENGL 2250   ENGL 2260   ENGL 2262  ENGL 2263    ENGL 2275   ENGL 2281   ENGL 3325   ENGL 3341   ENGL 3350   ENGL 3365   ENGL 3392   ENGL 4481 -9 INTD 2209   INTD 2210   MUSC 1111   MUSC 1112   MUSC 2221   MUSR 1105   THEA 1131   THEA 1132  THEA 1134  THEA 2233  THEA 2239	History of Graphic Design Introduction to Studio Art Digital Photography (non-majors) History of Art I History of Art II Art and Science of Renaissance Italy Digital Fabrication Art Studies in Drama Studies in Literature Early World Literature Modern World Literature Early British Writers Modern British Writers Early American Writers Modern American Writers Introduction to Literature African American Literature I African American Literature II Queer Drama and Performance The Graphic Novel Narrative Structure in Games The Short Story Immigrant Literature Women's Literature Popular Lyrics Science Fiction Irish Literature Shakespeare Video Games as Literature The Bible as Literature Poe, Hawthorne, and Melville Special Topics in Literature History of Architecture and Interior Design I History of Architecture and Interior Design II Introduction to Music Music and Global Cultures Film Music Listening to Videogames Introduction to Theater Introduction to Contemporary Performance Studies in Drama Queer Drama and Performance Plays of the 21st Century

In Tier 2, the student will be able to analyze and/or produce one or more creative art forms and/or works of art; incorporate elements of technique, process, and methodology in the making and/or analysis of art; and employ reflection and/or revision in the appraisal or making of art. This can be accomplished in the following courses: 

CC9 - Perspectives on Creative Arts Tier 2	Number	Title
	ARTS 1105   ARTS 1110   ARHS 3317   ARTS 3320   ARTS 3331   ARTS 3333   ARTS 3340  ARTS 3550   DGAD 2255    ENGL 2251   ENGL 2267   ENGL 2277   ENGL 2287   ENGL 3315   ENGL 3345   ENGL 3355   ILLU 4460 MUSC 2211   MUSR 2205  MUSR 3341    THEA 1150  THEA 2225  THEA 2227  THEA 2228      THEA 2241   THEA 2242	Drawing I Digital Photography I Design History Seminar History of Photography Contemporary Art Survey of African American Art Issues of Art & Environment Art Techniques and Invention in Italy Virtual and Augmented Reality Design Narrative Nonfiction Intro to Creative Writing Poetic Form & Formal Exper Story Structure/Narrative Form Production Dramaturgy Adv Poetry Workshop Adv Fiction Workshop Sr Project: Illustration Part I History of Rock Creating Punk Videogames Designing Music Technology Introduction to Acting Fundamentals of Dance Tap Technique Musical Theater Dance Studies in Theater History Studies in Musical Theater History