In 2007, Saint Joseph's College begins its thirty-eighth year of the Core Program.  This Curriculum is unique among colleges and universities.  At other colleges, students are required to take a number of courses in different areas to fulfill their general education requirements.  This often takes place during the first year or two of the student's college experience.  However, at Saint Joseph's these required general education courses are evenly spread out through a student's  four years at the College...this means that you get the benefit of beginning study of your major in your first year of college.

 

Special Lecturers in Core
Stephen Bloom, author of Postville (a book read in Core) came to campus recently to talk with the Core I students.

Brennan Hill, author of Jesus the Christ: Contemporary Perspectives, talks with  Core 9 students about his book.	Veron Cantrell, M.D., an alumnus of SJC spoke with Core I students about the book, America Behind the Color Line.

For our students (who have declared a major) this gives the benefit of four years of study in the major as well as four years of general education. Students learn from students of other majors.  Writing and other communication skills are developed throughout the four years of the college experience.  Our alumni continue to tell us of the advantages of this form of general education.  They tell us that their Core education helps in the promotion process as they bring knowledge of a number of skills that can be used in different jobs.

Throughout Core our students examine value oriented questions and ethical issues so that they may apply these principles to dilemmas they will encounter in the workplace. We all have seen the need for ethics in recent years, and our students are prepared to deal with these issues.

Additionally all our students study cultures other than their own.  Through the study of eastern cultures, and Latin America or Africa, students are better prepared to engage in our multi-cultural society and our global economy. 

To discover what is going on in Core this semester, see the link to the Core syllabi.