II. Academic Curriculum
Foundations
Breadth of Knowledge- Fields
Attributes
Core Capstone
Courses in Major Field
Auxiliary & Elective Courses
AP/CLEP/IB & Transfer Credit
AP Chart 2011-2012 (.pdf)
Canisius College-Academic Curriculum
In keeping with its liberal arts ideals and objectives, Canisius College requires that all its students complete a well-rounded program of humanistic studies embracing art and literature, natural and social sciences, oral and written communication, history, philosophy, and religious studies.
A. Foundation Courses
The Core Curriculum provides a Foundation of four common courses, generally completed in the first year. These courses include basic instruction in writing (FYS 101, ENG 101), attention to the process of critical thinking through basic development of information literacy (FYS 101, ENG 101, PHI 101, RST 101), and basic understanding of the importance of studying religion and philosophy within the Catholic and Jesuit tradition of education (PHI 101, RST 101).
Foundation FYS 101 Explorations of Academic Writing: Special Topics
This course emphasizes the production of academic writing through critical analysis of texts, with topics drawn from a wide range of academic disciplines. The courses are intended to be seminar style with reading and discussion appropriately challenging for first year students, with the expectation that students will be able to write so as to enhance learning, find and evaluate information, practice academic integrity, negotiate the process of revision, and use correct grammar and syntax.
Foundation ENG 101 Writing about Literature
This course develops strategies for reading and writing about literature (poetry, drama, fiction, literary essays), with the expectation that students will be able to understand and interpret primary literary texts; develop writing skills; and develop and organize interpretive essays through the use and evaluation of sources. ENG 101 courses will have a significant component of the course devoted to writing instruction and developing information literacy. It is expected that in ENG 101 students will engage in revision, as well as write at least 15 pages of polished prose, and that they will engage in appropriate research activities.
Foundation PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy
This requirement acknowledges the special place of the study of philosophy in Catholic Jesuit education. The course provides a thoughtful examination of philosophical issues, with the expectation that students will be able to use logical and critical analysis to understand the claims and arguments proposed by classical and modern philosophers, including some in the Catholic philosophical tradition.
Foundation RST 101 Introduction to Religious Studies
This requirement acknowledges the special place of the study of religion in Catholic Jesuit education. The course provides an academic introduction to religion, with the expectation that students will understand the nature and role of religion in human life and society, including the Jesuit and Catholic traditions as well as other world religions.
B. Breadth of Knowledge/Fields
Collectively through the Breadth of Knowledge requirement, students are encouraged to reflect about their inner lives, to consider how attention to the life of the mind bears upon reality, and to discern the human relationship to the natural world and to social institutions. The skills and knowledge students develop through the Breadth of Knowledge reflect the variety of disciplinary norms specific to each Field.
The seven Fields are:
Field 1: Religious Studies and Theology
Designated courses that enable students to gain a clearer understanding of the role which religion plays in human life through a careful and systematic examination of religious ideas, institutions, values, or patterns of belief and practice.
Field 2: Philosophy
Designated courses that enable students to understand, articulate, and evaluate the values, principles, and assumptions on which individual and social decisions rest.
Field 3: Arts
Designated courses that enable students to understand the aesthetic dimension of creative work in the fine arts and/or literature and to articulate how that creative work mirrors and shapes human experience.
Field 4: History
Designated courses that enable students to understand how historians use evidence to study the recorded past, to situate events, artifacts, and experiences in their historical context, and to analyze the process of change over time.
Field 5: Social Sciences
Designated courses that enable students to explain, interpret, and critically analyze human behavior and social structures from the perspective of the social science through which the courses are offered.
Field 6: Natural Sciences
Designated courses that enable students to explain, interpret, and critically analyze the natural world using the scientific method from the perspective of the natural science through which the courses are offered.
Field 7: Mathematical Sciences
Designated courses that enable students to reason quantitatively, abstractly, or computationally about the world using the symbol systems rooted in quantitative measures, logical analysis, and/or algorithms to solve practical problems.
C. Cross-disciplinary Knowledge and Skills Courses- Attributes
The Core Curriculum provides six requirements which address matters central to the Catholic Jesuit tradition of education and necessary for preparing students for the modern world. Students are required to take courses with all six designations. Any course may carry the Cross-Disciplinary Knowledge or Skill designations as long as the course has a significant component on the specific subjects. Designated courses may also satisfy Field and major requirements, as well as elective credit.
Diversity Designation
Designated courses that enable students to develop an understanding of the multicultural character of the United States by giving attention to the cultural differences within the United States in many areas of society. This Core goal is grounded on the assumption that education ought to provide students with the intellectual tools and expansive perspectives by which to examine their own communities and values as well as the communities and values of people different from them.
Ethics Designation
Designated courses that enable students to develop an understanding of personal action, the good in terms of human agency, happiness, and living a worthwhile life. Focus will be upon moral issues, living well, and the frameworks that make living well intelligible, both personally and professionally. This Core goal is grounded on the assumption that an understanding of ethics is an integral part of educating the whole person.
Global Awareness Designation
Designated courses that enable students to develop an awareness of nations, countries, regions, communities, and cultures outside of the United States. This Core goal is grounded on the assumption that we live in an increasingly interconnected world, and that a liberal arts education ought to provide students the intellectual tools and understandings to comprehend global events.
Justice Designation
Designated courses that enable students to develop an understanding of the nature of justice, including the tension between justice and power, as well as the causes of injustice. The focus will be upon the promotion of justice.
Advanced Writing-intensive Designation
Designated courses at the 200-level or above with significant emphasis on using writing as a way to learn. The Core goal is that students will engage in the process of drafting, re-writing, and editing at an advanced level, with extensive commentary and assistance of instructors.
Oral Communication Designation
Designated courses that enable students to develop abilities to communicate effectively and appropriately in a range of contexts, including face-to-face, through practicing their skills at both sending and receiving messages. Effective communication helps maintain a sense of community as well as an ability to craft consensus in an increasingly diverse and complex world. Preparation for life in the modern world requires sensitive and skillful communication with those of widely different backgrounds, cultural experiences, and values.
D. Core Capstone (1 designated course or experience)
The Core Curriculum provides for a Core Capstone, an opportunity for students to reflect upon the meaning and significance of the Core Curriculum, as well as to consider the value of public service and the necessity of leadership. Students take the Core Capstone once all the other core requirements have been fulfilled, usually in the junior or senior year
E. Courses in Major Field
(Required number of courses varies with major)
Each major has its own specific requirements, which are listed by the individual department in the College Catalog. Students should make sure that any restricted electives are chosen from among the courses approved by the department involved. Generally, a minimum of 120 credits with a 2.0 cumulative average are required to graduate.
F. Auxiliary and Elective Courses
(Required number of courses varies with major)
The remaining courses outside of the core curriculum and major requirements may be chosen in any area. These free electives complete the student’s requirements for the baccalaureate degree.
Minors are available in over 35 areas. The requirements for each minor are outlined in the appropriate departmental sections of the College Catalog.
AP & Transfer Credit
College Credit Earned in High School
AP Credit
Please see the Advanced Placement (AP) Credit Equivalencies chart for the list of qualifying exams. Credit will be granted for AP scores of 3, 4, and 5 only. No college credit will be granted until official scores are received and evaluated by the Director of Student Advisement. Students may apply up to 30 AP credits towards their degrees.
To have official scores sent, students must contact The College Board at 1-888-CALL-4-AP or online at www.collegeboard.org and reference the Canisius Code: 2073.
CLEP Credit
Students may obtain credit for previously completed examinations sponsored by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). The minimum acceptable grade for these exams are “pass” for a pass/fail grade, “C” for a letter grade and 50 on exams graded on a standard score scale of 20-80. No credit is awarded for the CLEP general examination. Credit in the appropriate subject area is granted by the Office of Student Records and Registration after the student has matriculated at the college; however, not all CLEP exams are acceptable as transfer credits. In addition, credits being used to fulfill departmental major requirements must be first approved in writing by the department chair.
For more information or to request an official score report, students may go to the College Board website: www.collegeboard.org/clep. If you have any further questions about CLEP credit and the possibility of CLEP credit fulfilling degree requirements, please contact the appropriate associate dean.
International Baccalaureate Equivalencies (IB) (As of Fall 2009)
Canisius College grants academic credit for only higher level (HL) IB exams with a minimum grade of five (5). A student who has earned the IB Diploma will be awarded a maximum of 30 credit hours and will have individual HL diploma exams evaluated as transfer credit to be applied toward major, core curriculum, or elective course requirements. Major credit will be determined in consultation with department chairs. Students will not receive additional credit for AP exams that duplicate credit awarded for the IB exams.
If a student does not attain the IB Diploma but presents individual Higher Level examinations with scores of 5 or above, he/she will receive 3-6 credits per examination (depending on the Canisius College course equivalency) up to a total of 30 credits. These credits may be applied toward major, core curriculum, or elective course requirements. Major credit will be determined in consultation with department chairs.
Credit for subsidiary exams will not be awarded. Official IB exam scores should be sent directly to the Office of Student Records, who will consult with the Director of Academic Advisement or the major program or department as needed.
Transfer Credit from Other Colleges
Students who have completed college level course work from other colleges and universities must have official transcripts sent to the Office of Student Records and Registration at Canisius College. A high school transcript or student grade report is not sufficient.
Transcripts must be requested in writing from the other institution and there may be a fee involved for this service. Once the transcript is received it will be evaluated and credit will be awarded.
Students may receive free elective or major requirement credit provided that they have achieved a grade of “C-” or higher in the courses to be transferred.