|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Core Focuses on Integration of Knowledge
4/26/2010
 The University of St. Thomas Board of Directors approved a new undergraduate core curriculum that focuses on the integration of knowledge. The core will be introduced in fall 2011.
The core’s strong emphasis on integration brings it into greater conformity with Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Constitution for Catholic Universities, Ex corde Ecclesiae, published in 1990.
“Integration of learning has long been a hallmark of Catholic education,” says Dominic A. Aquila, UST’s Academic Vice-President, “and is a much needed complement and corrective to the over-emphasis on specialization in undergraduate education in the United States. It is entirely fitting that UST’s new core was approved in this year, which marks the 20th anniversary of Ex corde’s publication. “
A Task Force chaired by Dean of Arts and Sciences Fr. Joseph Pilsner comprised 10 faculty members from across the disciplines whose effort culminated thirty-six months of meetings and discussions by faculty members.
“Our Task Force was asked to identify what Ex corde Ecclesiae is calling Catholic universities to do and then to bring the new core curriculum into conformity with this summons within the boundaries requested by the administration,” Fr. Pilsner said.
According to the Task Force’s Proposal that was approved by the Curriculum Committee, and forwarded to the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board, “The vision of Ex corde Ecclesiae is that the most comprehensive understanding of reality is achieved when disciplines collaborate and enlighten one another. Core courses introduce students to the distinctive contributions to knowledge made by various academic disciplines.”
Aspirations of Ex corde Ecclesiae include the natural desire to know the truth, dialogue between faith and reason, dialogue of faith with cultures of our time, dialogue of faith with modern sciences and technology, achieving an integrated worldview, social teachings of the Church and professional ethics.
Faculty Senate President Dr. J. P. Faletta comments on the process, “The new core curriculum represents the culmination of over three years of negotiations, efforts and several proposals; it is a product that built on the previous work.”
Dr. John Starner, associate professor of mathematics, served as a member of the Core Curriculum Task Force that produced the final draft. Dr. Starner expressed his approval of the final draft. “The real work of refining and developing course work that will fill this framework and form our core curriculum lies ahead,” Starner said. I have high hopes for the outcome of this process.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
