Registrar

Core Curriculum

This innovative and interdisciplinary core curriculum is a cohesive program that informs, inspires, and transforms Manchester students into persons of ability and conviction. By securing academic foundations, requiring interdisciplinary knowledge and skills, and delivering high‐impact student experiences, the core curriculum prepares students to live, work, and thrive in a complex world.

The curricular framework embodies both the mission and the values of Manchester University. Courses will embody the mission and values through specific course content, though not every course offered in a specific category is required to include the same values or engage the same portion of the mission statement.

The new core curriculum is comprised of three main components, each made up of multiple categories. The total hours may vary from 32 to 41 credit hours.

Core Curriculum
Foundation (13-15 Credits)
LA-FWS	First‐Year Writing Seminar	3
LA-FCS	First‐Year Communication Seminar	3
LA-FQR	Quantitative Reasoning	3‐4
LA-FSS	First Year Success Seminar	1
LA-FCG	Cultural and Global Understanding	3-4

Exploration (9-13)
LA-EAH	Arts and Humanities	3
LA-ENS	Natural Sciences	3-6
LA-ESS	Social Sciences	3-4

Transformation (10-13)
LA-TFR	Faith, Reason, and Ethics	3
LA-TBI	Big Issues ‐ 2 courses	6-7
LA-TCE	Creative Expression	1‐3

	*Total Credit Hours*	*32‐41*

Updated as of May 2024


First Year Writing Seminar (3 Credits) \| LA-FWS
FYWS 111	First Year Writing Seminar

First Year Communication Seminar (3 Credits) \| LA-FCS
COMM 110	Foundations of Human Communication

First Year Success Seminar (3 Credits) \| LA-FSS
INTD 101	First Year Success Seminar

Quantitative Reasoning (3-4 Credits) \| LA-FQR
DATA 210	Statistical Analysis
MATH 115	Elementary Probability & Statistics
MATH 121	Calculus I
MATH 122	Calculus II
MATH 125	Mathematical Modeling
MATH 211	Quantitative Skills for Business
PHIL 230	Logic
PSYC 241	Stats & Research Design I
SOC 325	Quantitative Research Methods

Cultural and Global Understanding (3-4 Credits) \| LA-FCG
BUS 202	Exploring International Business
EDUC 230	Educational Psychology
ENG 216	Topics in Literature and Cultural Studies
ENG 227	Twenty-First Century Literature
ENG 238	World Literature
ENG 242	African American Literature
ENG 246	Comics, Graphic Novels, and Film
ENG 250	Literary Passport
ENG 261	Women in Literature
EXSC 313	International Sports Medicine
GNST 125	Intro to Gender Studies
GNST 201	Introduction to Queer Studies
HIST 121	World History to 1500
HIST 123	World History From 1500
HIST 210	Modern China & East Asia: 1750 to Present
HIST 226	Imperialism and the Modern World
HIST 237	Race & Ethnicity in US History
HIST 242	South & Southeast Asia: Ancient-1500
HIST 254	Latin American History
HIST 256	African American History
HIST 263	Making of India & Pakistan
HIST 317	British Empire & Making of the Modern World
HIST 353	Women and Gender in India and China
IDIV 240	Making of the Modern Mind
MUS 124	Popular Music & Culture
MUS 230	World Musics
NURS 300	Maternal Newborn
NUTR 315	International Foods and Nutrition
PEAC 110	Introduction to Peace Studies
PEAC 218	Mediating Conflict
PEAC 320	Peacemaking in Practice Abroad
PHIL 327	Indigenous Thinking
POSC 235	Development & Politics of Latin America
POSC 366	Wealth & Poverty in the Global Economy
POSC 371	The United Nations
REL 222	Religions of East Asia
REL 223	Religions of India
REL 244	The Religions of Abraham
REL 247	Jesus in the Middle Eastern Perspective
SOC 210	Urban-Rural Dynamics
SOC 228	Racial, Ethnic, & Gender Inequality
SOC 311	Cultural Anthropology
SOC 313	Cultural Ecology
SOWK 228	Racial, Ethnic, & Gender Inequality
SPAN 111	Food Cultures
SPAN 112	Memory and Culture
SPAN 201	Communication and Culture
SPAN 202	Cultures and Controversies
SPAN 301	Oral Communication


Arts and Humanities (3 Credits) \| LA-EAH
ART 201	Art and Life
ART 246	History of Modern & Contemporary Art
ART 253	Women in the Arts
ENG 115	Intro to Literature
HUM 211	Exploration in the Arts
REL 106	Becoming Who You Are

Natural Sciences (3-6 Credits) \| LA-ENS
BIOL 104	Foundations of Human Communication
CHEM 101	Chemical Science
CHEM 136	Forensic Science
ENVS 130	Introduction to Environmental Studies
NASC 103	Physical Science
NASC 210	Exploration of the Natural Sciences
NURS 405	Research for Evidence-Based Practice

Alternatively, student may take two 100 or 200-level courses, each in a different discipline, from BIOL, CHEM, ENVS, NASC, or PHYS to fulfill the Natural Sciences requirement.

Social Sciences (3-4 Credits) \| LA-ESS
CRIM 110	Intro to Criminal Justice
EDUC 111	Exploring Educational Systems
HIST 113	North American History to 1865
HIST 114	United States History Since 1865
HIST 207	Epidemic Disease in US History
HIST 233	Puerto Rico and the United States
PSYC 110	Introduction to Psychology
POSC 123	American Politics
POSC 150	International Relations
POSC 234	Democracy & Dictatorship
SOC 102	Human Conflict
SOC 110	Civic Engagement
SOWK 110	Intro to Social Work


Faith, Reason, and Ethics (3 Credits) \| LA-TFR
PHIL 201	Intro to Philosophy
PHIL 205	A Meaningful Life
PHIL 206	The Human Person
PHIL 215	Ethical Decision Making
PHIL 219	Business Ethics
PHIL 221	Medical and Research Ethics
REL 101	Intro to the Hebrew Bible
REL 102	Intro to the New Testament
REL 111	Christian Traditions
REL 113	The Bible & Philosophical Thought
REL 120	Intro to Religious Studies
REL 121	Sacred Traditions
REL 247	Jesus in the Middle Eastern Perspective

Big Issues (2 Courses) (6-7 Credits) \| LA-TBI
COMM 336	Video Games & Virtual Identity
INTD 321	Trauma and Resilience
INTD 322	Fashion and Cultural Identity
INTD 323	Incarcerated Shakespeare
INTD 324	Feminist Theory
INTD 335	Emotion in the Workplace
INTD 340	Pathways to Purpose
INTD 343	Philosophy of Mind
INTD 350	Migrants and Refugees
INTD 355	Critical Issues in Education
INTD 405	Life and Death
INTD 410	Cinema for Social Change
INTD 425	Environmental Philosophy
INTD 427	International Women's Rights
INTD 441	Globalization
INTD 445	Development of Modern Scientific Thought
**NURS 450	Capstone: Leadership in Nursing Practice
POSC 332	Power and Politics in America
POSC 366	Wealth & Poverty in the Global Economy
SOC 351	Community & Environmental Sociology
SOC 355	Health, Medical Care, & Society
SOWK 355	Health, Medical Care, & Society

Creative Expression (1-3 Credits) \| LA-TCE
ART 131	Basic Design
ART 210	Painting I
ART 212	Torchworking Glass
ART 213	Figure Drawing
ART 221	Digital Photography
ART 241	Ceramics
ART 261	Graphic Design Concepts & Vectors
ART 271	Three-Dimensional Construction
COMM 235	Community Podcasting
COMM 364	Producing for the Internet
ENG 201	Journalism I: Reporting
ENG 317	Journalism II: Editing
ENG 363	Topics in Creative Writing
MUS 100	Piano (Beginner)
MUS 101	Applied Piano (Majors)
MUS 102	Voice (Beginner)
MUS 105	Organ (Beginner)
MUS 107	Voice: Non-Majors (Beginner)
MUS 126	Beat Making & Production
MUS 128	Class Piano I: Non-Majors (Beginner)
MUS 130	A Cappella Choir
MUS 140B	Symphany Orchestra Strings
MUS 146	Symphonic Band
MUS 200	Piano: Non-Major (Intermediate)
MUS 201	Piano (Intermediate)
MUS 202	Voice (Intermediate)
MUS 205	Organ (Intermediate)
MUS 207	Voice: Non-Majors (Intermediate)
POSC 370	Model United Nations