September 2, 2009

Dear Deans, Department Chairs, and Program Directors,

On July 1, 2009, I assumed the position of Faculty Director of the University Core Curriculum.  In that capacity, I will be beginning this year the process of refining our current core curriculum in line with the goals of Loyola University Chicago’s 2009-2015 Strategic Plan and the pedagogical objectives outlined in the document “Transformative Education in the Jesuit Tradition.”  I will be assisted in these endeavors by the University Core Curriculum Committee (UCCC), which consists of the following members:  Mark Bosco, S.J. (CAS, English and Theology), Marilyn Krogh (CAS, Sociology), Mark Lococo (CAS, Fine & Performing Arts), Jacqueline Scott (CAS, Philosophy), Stephanie Stewart (School of Education).

Course offerings for the new Loyola University Chicago core curriculum began in the fall of the 2005-06 academic year.  In the spring of 2008, Loyola University Chicago's Office of the Provost and the University Core Curriculum Committee (UCCC) launched a three-year project of Core Curriculum assessment. The overview of the results of the Core Curriculum assessment can be found here.

As part of an effort to simplify the core and increase its coherence, the UCCC will not be accepting any new course proposals this year except in the area of Civic Engagement and Leadership. Proposals for core courses in that area, including model syllabi and supplementary materials, should be sent in electronic form to core@luc.edu. 

The core is outlined at http://www.luc.edu/core/table_one.shtml, and in PDF form.

It requires that students take 15 core courses spread across the following 10 knowledge areas:

• college writing (first year students)
• artistic knowledge and experience
• historical knowledge
• literary knowledge and experience
• quantitative analysis
• scientific literacy
• societal and cultural knowledge
• philosophical knowledge
• theological and religious studies knowledge
• ethics.

Each core course must reinforce at least one of the following skills:

• communication
• critical thinking
• ethical awareness
• information literacy
• quantitative & qualitative analysis & research methods
• technological literacy.

In addition, a core course may (but need not) be approved to satisfy one of the following four values requirements:

• understanding and promoting justice
• understanding diversity in the U.S. or the world
• understanding spirituality or faith in action in the world
• promoting civic engagement or leadership.

Students must take one course (not necessarily a core knowledge area course) in each of those four values areas. Courses that satisfy the values requirements can be core knowledge area courses, courses in a major, courses in a minor, or elective courses. For details, and for submitting values course proposals, see:

http://www.luc.edu/core/valuesareas.shtml.

All the best,

Anthony L. Cardoza
Faculty Director of the University Core Curriculum

Faculty Resources

• Core Innovation Awards 2008-2009
• Course Proposals
• Director's Message
• Meeting Core Requirements
• Related Links