April 26, 2013

This document is our proposal for a renewed Core curriculum at Boston College. This proposal reflects the culmination of our collective work on Core renewal during this academic year. The development of the renewed Core has involved extensive input from faculty, students, alumni, and administrators. We will be holding an open Town Hall Meeting on Sunday, May 5, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, in the Heights Room in Corcoran Commons, to answer questions and hear your feedback on the proposal. 

In preparation of reading this document, we want to bring the following to your attention:

1. It’s the same footprint, but it’s a better footprint

The footprint of the renewed Core remains the same, with 42 credits across the current disciplinary requirements. Our decision to maintain the size of the Core came from a consensus across the university of the value of a broad liberal arts education. While the footprint remains the same, we believe that the Renewed Core will provide a more intellectually engaging academic experience for students.

2. Cultural Diversity Re-imagined

Our research revealed several ways in which the current Cultural Diversity requirement is problematic. To address these issues, we have reimagined Cultural Diversity as a new requirement in “Global Differences and Social Justice.” All students will fulfill this requirement through their Complex Problem course, with other Core courses also addressing issues related to global differences and social justice.

3. Will this work with student schedules? Yes.

In designing the renewed Core, we have gone to great lengths to account for the range of student needs across all schools and majors. We are working with departments to ensure we do not limit students’ abilities to pursue and complete majors and/or professional accreditation.

4. AP Credit

In the renewed Core, students will be able to apply AP credit to place out of disciplinary requirements, per departmental discretion. AP credits may be applied to Core credits in Exploration; all students will be required to take 12 credits in Community of Inquiry courses.

5. Study Abroad

The renewed Core should have no impact on students’ ability to study abroad. It will be up to departments whether individual courses taken abroad may fulfill Core requirements. 

6. A commitment to student input

The leadership of the renewed Core includes the creation of a new Core Student Advisory Committee. This group will be made up of elected students, and contribute to Core innovation and improvement through offering ongoing feedback and input.

7. When will the renewed Core be launched?

Our goal is to have the renewed Core up and running by fall of 2016, for the class of 2020. We plan to pilot new Core courses over the next few years, which will be offered to small groups of students as an optional way to fulfill Core requirements. Otherwise, this proposal will not affect current students’ schedules or Core requirements.

Over the summer, the administration will make a final decision about the renewed Core proposed here. If the proposal is approved, we will roll up our sleeves in fall 2013 to move forward with planning and implementation. Thank you for your continued input on our exciting project of Core Renewal.

Sincerely, 

Mary Crane, Director, Institute for the Liberal Arts
David Quigley, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Andy Boynton, Dean, Carroll School of Management