Faculty members voted to present a new core curriculum to the Board of Trustees later this month.
The new core curriculum has been in the works since before the COVID – 19 pandemic but is finally scheduled to take effect next semester. In 2022, The Wood Word reported that a new core curriculum would be rolled out in the Fall 2023 semester, but the co-chair of the Undergraduate Core Curriculum Committee, Dr. Erin Sadlack, explained that the roll out was delayed because the core was simply not ready.
Faculty turnover also resulted in new faculty being unfamiliar with the 2022 proposed core which contributed to the delay.
Sadlack explained that the new core will include an emphasis on metacognition to encourage students to become more insightful learners.
The new core is also designed to be integrative so that different programs can add courses into the core curriculum if they choose to expand the course offerings for their students.
Co-Chair of the Undergraduate Core Curriculum Committee Dr. Adam Shprintzen explained that through developing a more integrated curriculum, students will be able to connect concepts and skills from classes required in the core to their specific major, and thus better prepare students for their careers after college.
Language learning is one area that is intended to be strengthened. Language courses will focus on a conversational approach so that students can strengthen their speaking proficiency in real-world situations instead of emphasizing strict grammatical concepts.
New core requirements will include a writing requirement, an oral requirement and a quantitative requirement to continue to provide students with a well-rounded and comprehensive academic foundation.
Sadlack said that the decision to implement a new core is rooted in a desire to empower Marywood students.
“How do we empower [students] to communicate effectively, how do we empower them to reason effectively, to make ethical decisions? All of those outcomes were at the base of what’s happening,” said Sadlack.
“The education that students receive in the core has always made Marywood unique, distinct and tied to the mission and our values,” said Shprintzen.
The committee plans to create a website for students and faculty to familiarize themselves with core requirements and structure, and to help navigate through this transitionary period.
The new core requirements will only affect incoming students. Sadlack ensures that the new core is in no way designed to delay anyone from their graduation date, and reassures that advisers will work closely with students to ensure this.
Shprintzen explained that there is still logistical work that needs to be completed this semester to prepare for the coming changes in the fall and that professors will have to work to be more intentional about integrating these new focuses, like metacognition, into their courses.
If the Board of Trustees votes in favor of implementing this new core, the committee will continue the logistical work needed to roll out the core next semester.
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