Academic Curriculum [10][11][12][13]
The Evans-Bossert core curriculum is designed to meet the objectives of a liberal education, where students complete an educational program centered on holistic development and the acquisition of knowledge that transcends academic department and vocational aspirations. The core curriculum of Evans-Bossert University is inspired by the Report of the Task Force on General Education, agreeing that the core curriculum:
"...heightens students' awareness of the human and natural worlds they inhabit. It makes them more refelctive about their beliefs and
choices, more self-conscious and critical of their presuppositions and motivations, more creative in their problem-solving, more
perceptive of the world around them, and more able to inform themselves about the issues that arise in their lives, personally,
professionally, and socially." [14]
The completion of the core curriculum by students of Evans-Bossert University provides students an opportunity to “understand how everything that we teach in the arts and sciences relates to their lives and to the world that they will confront.” The core curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, cognitive development, effective communication, cultural and aesthetic appreciation, and civic responsibility. This is accomplished by encouraging each student to examine and reflect, through a multitude of perspectives and experiences, their existence and impact on a convoluted and diverse global society.
CORE CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS
EBU Seminar (EBUS): 8 courses
The Evans-Bossert University Seminar (EBUS) is a 1 credit course that students participate in for all eight semesters at EBU. EBUS is designed to guide students through the various transitions and stages of their collegiate experience. The course meets monthly throughout a student’s collegiate career. Many of the EBUS meetings follow an event of the Mondale Leadership Series or the Fine Arts Performance Series. The ultimate goal of EBUS is promote community development, promote active citizenship, provide opportunities for cultural appreciation, and encourage the development of meaning-making systems through intentional reflection and sharing.
First-Year Symposium (FYS): 2 sequential courses
The first-year seminar course is designed to help students further develop skills in critical thinking, researching, speaking, and writing. [1] Additionally, we instill the institutional values, share best practices of EBU students, and share how to take advantage of institutional resources for their learning. [1] The ability to effectively conduct and employ each of these skills is imperative for political and social leaders. Embedded in the call for democratic citizenship is an equally powerful charge to colleges and universities for creating curricular and cocurricular programs intended to spur its development. One response to this charge has been to design first-year programs replete with curricula and pedagogies that reflect an institution’s mission to graduate a responsible and informed citizenry. [15]
Foreign Language: 4 courses
The foreign language component is designed to prepare students for their academic and personal global endeavors through the development of lingual and cultural literacies. Students may choose from the following languages: French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, Hindustani, Arabic, and Russian.
Quantitative Reasoning: 2 courses
Aimed at the introduction of students to mathematical and quantitative modes of thought. Courses in this area explore the application of quantitative methods to questions in a myriad of areas (humanities, social sciences, natural sciences), and guide students in the processes or making decisions under uncertainty, analyzing demographic trends, or the application of deductive logic.
Natural Sciences: 2 courses
Designed to guide students in developing a general understanding of science as a way of looking at ourselves and our world. Students will be introduced to topics in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Studies and Sustainability, Nutrition, and Physics, recognizing the growing importance and global impacts of modern scientific exploration and discovery.
Social Sciences: 3 courses
Designed to familiarize students with some of the central approaches of the social sciences, and to do so in a way that gives students a sense of how those approaches can enhance their understanding of human behavior in the context of contemporary society. As we educate and prepare the social and political leaders of tomorrow, we expect each of our students to develop proficient levels of knowledge and implement the best practices of Economics, Peace Studies, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.
Humanities: 3 courses
Designed to introduce students to topics including Gender and Women’s Studies, History, Peace Studies, and Philosophy. We recognize the importance of these topics in contemporary global politics, leadership, and society, and expect our students to reach a level of proficiency in each of these areas.
Fine Arts: 1 course
The goal of the Fine Arts requirement is to promote critical interpretation and analysis development through the interaction with art history, music, and theater.
Experiential Learning:
Students are required to complete the equivalent of 16 credit hours in experiential learning. The objective of the experiential learning requirement is to guide student developmental abilities in the integration and application of academic knowledge, skills, and abilities gained from activities that extend beyond the classroom. Students typically complete the experiential learning requirement through one of four means:
· Semester Study Abroad Program
· Semester Internship Experience (Domestic or Abroad)
· Semester Volunteer Experience (Domestic or Abroad)
· Short-term Experiences (A combination of short-term study abroad programs, internships, or service trips)
"...heightens students' awareness of the human and natural worlds they inhabit. It makes them more refelctive about their beliefs and
choices, more self-conscious and critical of their presuppositions and motivations, more creative in their problem-solving, more
perceptive of the world around them, and more able to inform themselves about the issues that arise in their lives, personally,
professionally, and socially." [14]
The completion of the core curriculum by students of Evans-Bossert University provides students an opportunity to “understand how everything that we teach in the arts and sciences relates to their lives and to the world that they will confront.” The core curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, cognitive development, effective communication, cultural and aesthetic appreciation, and civic responsibility. This is accomplished by encouraging each student to examine and reflect, through a multitude of perspectives and experiences, their existence and impact on a convoluted and diverse global society.
CORE CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS
EBU Seminar (EBUS): 8 courses
The Evans-Bossert University Seminar (EBUS) is a 1 credit course that students participate in for all eight semesters at EBU. EBUS is designed to guide students through the various transitions and stages of their collegiate experience. The course meets monthly throughout a student’s collegiate career. Many of the EBUS meetings follow an event of the Mondale Leadership Series or the Fine Arts Performance Series. The ultimate goal of EBUS is promote community development, promote active citizenship, provide opportunities for cultural appreciation, and encourage the development of meaning-making systems through intentional reflection and sharing.
First-Year Symposium (FYS): 2 sequential courses
The first-year seminar course is designed to help students further develop skills in critical thinking, researching, speaking, and writing. [1] Additionally, we instill the institutional values, share best practices of EBU students, and share how to take advantage of institutional resources for their learning. [1] The ability to effectively conduct and employ each of these skills is imperative for political and social leaders. Embedded in the call for democratic citizenship is an equally powerful charge to colleges and universities for creating curricular and cocurricular programs intended to spur its development. One response to this charge has been to design first-year programs replete with curricula and pedagogies that reflect an institution’s mission to graduate a responsible and informed citizenry. [15]
Foreign Language: 4 courses
The foreign language component is designed to prepare students for their academic and personal global endeavors through the development of lingual and cultural literacies. Students may choose from the following languages: French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, Hindustani, Arabic, and Russian.
Quantitative Reasoning: 2 courses
Aimed at the introduction of students to mathematical and quantitative modes of thought. Courses in this area explore the application of quantitative methods to questions in a myriad of areas (humanities, social sciences, natural sciences), and guide students in the processes or making decisions under uncertainty, analyzing demographic trends, or the application of deductive logic.
Natural Sciences: 2 courses
Designed to guide students in developing a general understanding of science as a way of looking at ourselves and our world. Students will be introduced to topics in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Studies and Sustainability, Nutrition, and Physics, recognizing the growing importance and global impacts of modern scientific exploration and discovery.
Social Sciences: 3 courses
Designed to familiarize students with some of the central approaches of the social sciences, and to do so in a way that gives students a sense of how those approaches can enhance their understanding of human behavior in the context of contemporary society. As we educate and prepare the social and political leaders of tomorrow, we expect each of our students to develop proficient levels of knowledge and implement the best practices of Economics, Peace Studies, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.
Humanities: 3 courses
Designed to introduce students to topics including Gender and Women’s Studies, History, Peace Studies, and Philosophy. We recognize the importance of these topics in contemporary global politics, leadership, and society, and expect our students to reach a level of proficiency in each of these areas.
Fine Arts: 1 course
The goal of the Fine Arts requirement is to promote critical interpretation and analysis development through the interaction with art history, music, and theater.
Experiential Learning:
Students are required to complete the equivalent of 16 credit hours in experiential learning. The objective of the experiential learning requirement is to guide student developmental abilities in the integration and application of academic knowledge, skills, and abilities gained from activities that extend beyond the classroom. Students typically complete the experiential learning requirement through one of four means:
· Semester Study Abroad Program
· Semester Internship Experience (Domestic or Abroad)
· Semester Volunteer Experience (Domestic or Abroad)
· Short-term Experiences (A combination of short-term study abroad programs, internships, or service trips)