Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Core Curriculum

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Core Curriculum

Our curriculum embodies the tradition of a liberal arts education in light of the Catholic faith, which emphasizes a concern with ultimate questions and personal and spiritual development within a diverse world. The Core Curriculum prepares students for global citizenship, stewardship of the Earth, and a productive career by cultivating a passion for intellectual life, a commitment to moral responsibility, and a desire to improve the human condition through socially conscious citizenship.

Courses taken by all: these courses provide a foundation for academic life at the college, explore questions of ultimate meaning, and engage with the broad questions of liberal education.

  1. Introduction to Purposeful Learning (ID 101)
  2. First-Year Seminar
  3. Fundamental Philosophical Questions (PH 103)
  4. Study of Christian Traditions and Thought (RS 100-level)
  5. Junior Seminar

Intellectual Exploration: Intellectual Exploration courses expose students to the breadth of disciplinary learning and the various ways of looking at and understanding themselves and the world. Students will take (or satisfy through transfer equivalent) coursework in each subject area in any semester prior to graduation.

  1. Literature & The Arts
  2. History & Society
  3. Scientific Inquiry
  4. Quantitative Reasoning
  5. Second Language for students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (not required for students pursuing a B.A in Engineering)

Edmundite Tradition: Courses in the Edmundite tradition explore the Society of Saint Edmund’s rich heritage of Catholic intellectual thought and abiding commitments to social justice and inclusion.  Students will take one course with each of the following designations. These courses may also fulfill areas listed above or may reside in the majors and minors:

  1. Catholic Intellectual Tradition
  2. Engaging Diverse Identities

Professional Competencies:  A Saint Michael’s education will also develop skills essential to every career choice.  Each major has been designed with the following learning outcomes:

  1. Ethical Decision Making
  2. Information Literacy
  3. Oral Communications
  4. Written Communications

 

List of Courses by Category:

Introduction to Purposeful Learning

  • Credits: 1

  •  

    Transfer Student Waivers for Purposeful Learning

    Incoming transfer students who transfer 24 or more semester credit hours to Saint Michael’s College are waived from taking ID 101. Incoming transfer students with fewer than 24 earned hours must either have transfer credit for these courses, or they must enroll in ID 101. Questions about this policy should be directed to the Registrar’s Office.


    Failing Purposeful Learning

    Students who earn failing grades in ID 101 are not expected to repeat the course, as the course content is geared toward new incoming SMC students. However, the credit must be replaced with approved coursework designed to enhance their capacity for self-reflection and explore their educational journey. Appropriate replacement courses include selected ID-100 offerings (including Be Well and Careers With Purpose) and ID-200. Depending on offerings, additional replacement courses may be available. Questions about appropriate replacement courses should be directed to the Office of Purposeful Learning.

First Year Seminar

Fundamental Philosophical Questions

Study of Christian Traditions and Thought

Junior Seminar

Literature & The Arts

History & Society

Scientific Inquiry

Quantitative Reasoning

Second Language for B.A.

(this core requirement is not required for students pursuing a B.A. in Engineering)

Catholic Intellectual Tradition

Engaging Diverse Identities

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