Common Learning Agenda
Curriculum of the College of Arts and Sciences
Education for the 21st century should have as its goal the liberation of students to be critical and complex thinkers, lifelong learners, and free and original decision makers who have learned compassion, civility, and a concern for social justice as part of their educational maturation. The Common Learning Agenda was developed by the College of Arts and Sciences to give students the opportunity to acquire the education they will need in order to live and work successfully in the 21st century. The various components of the Common Learning Agenda help in different ways to realize this goal, but they all address a concern for how students learn as well as for what they learn. The six components are:
1. Foundation Seminar
One course required of all students in their first year. Foundation Seminars on appropriate topics may count toward the Broadened Perspectives requirement; or, in some cases, Foundation Seminars may count toward the Disciplinary Breadth requirement.
2. Disciplinary Breadth*
a. Humanities - four courses (no more than two in one department)
b. Social Sciences - two courses (in different departments)
c. Natural Sciences and Mathematics - three courses (two laboratory sciences and one other course in natural sciences, mathematics, or computer science.)
3. Broadened Perspectives for the 21st Century**
Foundation Seminars and Disciplinary Breadth courses also may double-count as Broadened Perspectives courses if they address the relevant topics in a significant way.
a. Perspectives on the Natural and Fabricated Worlds - one course
Courses focus on the influence and impact of technology on society and the environment or principles that help us to live harmoniously with the natural world.
b. Perspectives on Human Diversity - one course
Courses address themes of human diversity either within or across national borders.
4. Disciplinary Depth
A departmental, interdepartmental, or college major.
5. Capstone Experience
One integrative course or equivalent experience during the senior year.
6. Writing Competency
One W1 and two W2 courses; also may count toward requirements for Foundation Seminar, Disciplinary Breadth, Broadened Perspectives, Disciplinary Depth, or Capstone requirements.
*The Disciplinary Breadth requirements may be fulfilled by any courses in the appropriate division. (Note that two of the courses in natural sciences must have laboratories.)
**Courses which fulfill the Broadened Perspectives requirement are available on the Registrar's web pages under Course Information.
Contact InformationCommon Learning Coordinator
Helen Morris-Keitelph: 1.570.577.1288
h.morris-keitel@bucknell.edu
