Core Curriculum

Requirements for All Degrees

To earn an undergraduate degree from Radford University, students must fulfill both Core Curriculum requirements and the requirements associated with a specific degree and major, as well as sufficient electives to complete the minimum semester hours required for graduation.

Core Curriculum requirements are detailed below. They are followed by an outline of requirements associated with specific degrees (B.A., B.S., etc.). Details of the requirements for specific degrees and majors can be found in the department sections.

Core Curriculum Program

Radford University is committed to the development of mature, responsible, well-educated citizens. In addition to acquiring a diverse body of knowledge, RU graduates will possess a love of learning and a range of intellectual skills that enable them to meet the challenges and realize the promise of living in a complex, multicultural, and ever-changing world.

The Core Curriculum places a clear emphasis on the competencies central to a liberal arts education for the modern world. The centerpiece of this program is a common experience for all students in Core Foundations. In this required four-course sequence (12 hours), students must demonstrate competencies rooted in the principles of grammar, rhetoric, and logic – the classical education known as the trivium. The Core Curriculum also includes five required courses (16 hours) in Core Skills and Knowledge, two courses (6 hours) in National and International Perspectives, and three courses (9-11 hours) in Supporting Skills and Knowledge.

University Core

A. Core Foundations (12 hours)

• CORE 101 , CORE 102 , CORE 201 , and CORE 202 

B. Core Skills and Knowledge (16 hours)

• Mathematical Sciences (3)
• Natural Sciences (4)
• Humanities (3)
• Visual and Performing Arts (3)
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (3)

College Core

A. National and International Perspectives (6 hours)

• U.S. Perspectives (3)
• Global Perspectives (3)

B. Supporting Skills and Knowledge (9-11 hours)

• Mathematical Sciences or Natural Sciences (3 or 4)
• Humanities, Visual and Performing Arts or Foreign Languages (3 or 4)
• Social and Behavioral Sciences or Health and Wellness (3)

To meet their academic needs, students in particular colleges and/or departments/schools may be limited in which courses they use to satisfy core curriculum requirements. Students should consult with their advisors for information about specific college or departmental/school requirements in these areas.

Students are advised to take CORE 101  during their first semester of enrollment or receive transfer course equivalency credit. In addition, students are advised to take University Core A courses in sequence each semester, excluding summers, until the sequence is successfully completed.

So that a student’s RU education might have as much disciplinary breadth as possible, students must fulfill Core Curriculum requirements with courses with prefixes different from that of their major. An exception may be made for one course. Furthermore, students are restricted from taking more than one course with the same prefix to fulfill requirements in University Core B; and students are restricted from taking more than one course with the same prefix to fulfill requirements in College Core A.

Students must successfully complete 43-45 hours in the Core Curriculum.

To fulfill the mission of the Core Curriculum, Radford University has designed a program with a number of general and specific learning outcomes that will be met by all undergraduate students.

University Core A. Core Foundations
(12 hours required)

Upon completion of University Core A (Core Foundations), Radford University students will have achieved competency in four key concept areas: written communications, oral communication, critical thinking, and technology/information literacy.

Goal 1: Radford University students will demonstrate competency in critical reading, standard written English, audience-specific writing, clear and effective prose, and other elements of composition.

Radford University students will be able to:

• effectively use standard written English (including grammar, punctuation, spelling and sentence structure) to construct a thesis-driven essay supported by reasonable arguments
• demonstrate the writing process through invention, organization, drafting, revision, editing, proofreading and presentation
• choose appropriate genres and styles when writing for a variety of different audiences
• describe and evaluate critically a variety of print and other sources, synthesize and document material appropriately and avoid plagiarism when developing a research paper

Goal 2: Radford University students will be able to communicate orally in clear and coherent language appropriate to purpose, occasion and audience.

Radford University students will be able to:

• identify and explain components of and influences on the communication process in interpersonal, small group and public speaking contexts
• demonstrate effective listening and critical analysis skills in interpersonal, small group and public speaking contexts
• identify and apply communication strategies appropriate to audiences in interpersonal, small group and public speaking contexts
• identify and demonstrate communication skills appropriate in interpersonal, small group and public speaking contexts

Goal 3: Radford University students will learn to distinguish knowledge from opinion, challenge ideas and develop reasonable strategies for belief formation.

Radford University students will be able to:

• apply the processes of deduction, induction, and other key elements of logical reasoning
• create a well-reasoned argument by evaluating the validity of ideas and information, providing evidence and support and arguing against competing claims when applicable
• analyze issues, solve problems and apply reasoning to everyday situations
• evaluate written and verbal arguments by discerning any logical fallacies, distinguishing between documented fact and opinion, examining explicit and implicit assumptions and assessing the use of evidence to draw inferences and conclusions

Goal 4: Radford University students will be able to acquire, analyze and synthesize digital and print information and explain how digital information is organized and communicated.

Radford University students will be able to:

• explain contemporary technological trends and issues
• utilize industry standard technologies as appropriate for academic purposes
• identify economic, societal, legal, privacy and ethical considerations for using and sharing digital and print information
• demonstrate the use of basic research techniques to locate information from a variety of electronic and print sources
• apply appropriate modes of inquiry to evaluate digital and print information in terms of credibility, reliability and accuracy

Required (12 hours)

All students must pass each of the following four courses, which should be completed during the student’s first four semesters:

CORE 101. Essentials of Written and Oral Communication .*
CORE 102. Advanced Written and Oral Communication .*
CORE 201. Topics in Critical Inquiry .
CORE 202. Topics in Ethical Inquiry .
CORE 103. Honors Written and Oral Communication .*

*Class will replace CORE 101  and CORE 102  for those new students in the RU Honors Academy whose backgrounds and abilities indicate that they are prepared for this course.

University Core B. Core Skills and Knowledge
(16 hours required)

To meet their academic needs, particular colleges and/or departments/schools may recommend that students select specific courses to satisfy University Core B requirements. Students should consult with their advisors for information about specific college or departmental/school recommendations in University Core B. Upon completion of University Core B (Core Skills and Knowledge), Radford University students will have achieved competency in five key concept areas: mathematical sciences, natural sciences, humanities, visual and performing arts, and social/behavioral sciences.

Goal 5: Radford University students will be able to use the tools of mathematics and quantitative reasoning to conceptualize and solve problems.

Radford University students will be able to:

• identify and interpret relationships among numeric, symbolic and graphical information
• generate mathematical models using numeric, symbolic and graphical information for use in real-world applications
• solve problems using numeric, symbolic and graphical information

The following courses have been approved to meet University Core B Core Curriculum Requirements in the Mathematical Sciences:

Required (3 hours)

All students must pass one of the following courses in the Mathematical Sciences:

MATH 111. Math Content for Teachers I .
MATH 112. Math Content for Teachers II .
MATH 114. Math and Human Society .
MATH 116. Math and Humanity .
MATH 125. Finite Mathematics for Business and Economics .
MATH 126. Business Calculus .
MATH 132. Honors Applications of Mathematics .
MATH 137. College Algebra .
MATH 138. Precalculus Function Analysis .
MATH 151. Calculus and Analytic Geometry I .
MATH 152. Calculus and Analytic Geometry II .

Goal 6: Radford University students will understand the methodologies of scientific inquiry; think critically about scientific issues and understand that the results of scientific research can be critically interpreted; participate in informed discussions of scientific issues; and describe the natural/physical world within the context of a specific scientific discipline.

Radford University students will be able to:

• employ scientific methods to gather and analyze data and test hypotheses in a laboratory setting
• distinguish between findings that are based upon empirical data and those that are not
• explain the relationships among the sciences and between science, technology, popular media and contemporary issues in society
• explain how scientific ideas are developed or modified over time based on evidence
• use the language of science to explain scientific principles within the context of a specific scientific discipline

The following courses have been approved to meet University Core B Core Curriculum Requirements in the Natural Sciences:

Required (4 hours)

All students must pass one of the following courses in the Natural Sciences:

ASTR 111. General Astronomy I .
ASTR 112. General Astronomy II .
BIOL 103. Environmental Biology .
BIOL 104. Human Biology .
BIOL 105. Biology for Health Sciences .
CHEM 101. General Chemistry .
CHEM 102. General Chemistry .
CHEM 120. Chemistry of Life .
GEOL 100. Earth Resources and Natural Hazards .
GEOL 105. Exploring Earth; Earth Through Time .
GEOL 106. Exploring Earth: Earth Through Time .
PHYS 111. General Physics .
PHYS 112. General Physics .
PHYS 221. Physics .
PHYS 222. Physics .

Goal 7: Radford University students will understand the importance of the search for answers to humankind’s most fundamental and profound questions and the ways in which these questions have been examined.

Radford University students will be able to:

• explain the nature and methods of inquiry in the humanities
• describe and explain differing views of the meaning, value and purpose of life
• explain historical, philosophical, religious or literary sources according to societal or cultural perspectives
• interpret and critically evaluate historical, philosophical, religious or literary expressions of the human experience

The following courses have been approved to meet University Core B Core Curriculum Requirements in the Humanities:

Required (3 Hours)

All students must pass one of the following courses in the Humanities:

ENGL 200. Literary Texts and Contexts .
HIST 101. World History to 1500 .
HIST 102. World History after 1500 .
PHIL 111. Knowledge, Reality and Human Condition .
PHIL 112. Ethics and Society .
PHIL 114. Origins of Western Philosophy .
POSC 110. Introduction to Politics .
RELN 111. Introduction to Religion .
RELN 112. Survey of World Religions .
RELN 203. Sacred Texts of the West .
RELN 206. Survey of Religious Experiences .

Goal 8: Radford University students will experience and analyze ways in which the visual and performing arts reflect and communicate aspects of the human experience.

Radford University students will be able to:

• analyze works of art in terms of the medium’s distinctive language and syntax
• identify and explain how works of art express human values and experiences within specific historical, cultural and social contexts
• identify and explain how the visual and performing arts have been used as vehicles for influencing culture
• evaluate works of art from the perspectives of aesthetic and critical criteria

The following courses have been approved to meet University Core B Core Curriculum Requirements in the Visual and Performing Arts:

Required (3 hours)

All students must pass one of the following courses in the Visual and Performing Arts:

ART 111. Art Appreciation .
ART 215. Art History Survey: Prehistory to Gothic .
ART 216. Art History Survey: Renaissance to Contemporary .
CVPA 266. Travel Study in Visual and Performing Arts .
DNCE 111. Dance Appreciation .
MUSC 100. Introduction to Music Literature .
MUSC 121. Art of Music .
MUSC 123. Art of Jazz .
THEA 100. Theatre Appreciation .
THEA 180. Introduction to World Cinema .

Goal 9: Radford University students will understand how individual, social, or cultural factors influence human behavior and shape reciprocal relationships between people and society.

Radford University students will be able to:

• explain the social or cultural factors that shape individuals’ ideas and behaviors
• explain how individual and collective behaviors shape societies and cultures
• explain social or behavioral science concept
• use social or behavioral science concepts to interpret real-world problems, including the underlying origins of such problems

The following courses have been approved to meet University Core B Core Curriculum Requirements in the Social and Behavioral Sciences:

Required (3 hours)

All students must pass one of the following courses in the Social and Behavioral Sciences:

ANSC 101. Human Origins and Biocultural Evolution .
APST 200. Introducing Appalachia .
ECON 105. Principles of Macroeconomics .
ECON 106. Principles of Microeconomics .
GEOG 101. Europe and the Americas .
GEOG 102. Africa and Asia .
GEOG 103. Introduction to Human Geography .
HIST 111. U.S. History to 1865 .
HIST 112. U.S. History since 1865 .
POSC 120. Introduction to American Government .
PSYC 121. Introductory Psychology .
RELN 205. Religion and Culture .
SOCY 110. Introduction to Sociology .
SOCY 121. Understanding Cultures .

College Core A. National and International Perspectives
(6 hours required)

To meet their academic needs, students in particular colleges and/or departments/schools may be limited as to which courses they use to satisfy College Core A and College Core B requirements. Students should consult with their advisors for information about specific college or departmental/school requirements in College Core A and College Core B.

Upon completion of College Core A (National and International Perspectives), Radford University students will have achieved competency in two key concept areas: U.S. Perspectives and Global Perspectives.

Goal 10: Radford University students will understand how social and cultural (for example, political, historical, economic, environmental, religious or geographic) forces shape the American experience.

Radford University students will be able to:

• explain basic facets of the American experience with attention to unity and diversity in American society
• use material studied to explain contemporary issues in the United States
• evaluate common institutions in American society and how they have affected or continue to affect, different groups

Required (3 hours)

All students must pass one of the following courses in U.S. Perspectives:

APST 200 - Introducing Appalachia .
ECON 101. Survey of Economics .
ECON 105. Principles of Macroeconomics .
ECON 106. Principles of Microeconomics .
ENGL 203. Readings in American Literature .
GEOG 201. North America .
GEOG 202. Commonwealth of Virginia .
GEOG 203. Appalachian Geography .
HIST 111. U.S. History to 1865 .
HIST 112. U.S. History since 1865 .
POSC 120. Introduction to American Government .
SOCY 110. Introduction to Sociology .

Goal 11: Radford University students will understand how social and cultural (for example, political, historical, economic, environmental, religious or geographic) forces shape experiences in the global setting.

Radford University students will be able to:

• compare and contrast different perspectives used to explain the world or international issues;
• use material studied to explain cross-cultural issues in the world;
• evaluate differences and similarities among world cultures that affect perceptions, beliefs or behaviors, and thus relationships between those cultures

Required (3 hours)

All students must pass one of the following courses in Global Perspectives:

ENGL 201. Readings in World Literature .
FORL 103. Trademarks in Chinese Culture .
CVPA 266. Travel Study in Visual and Performing Arts .
GEOG 101. Europe and the Americas .
GEOG 102. Asia and Africa .
GEOG 140. Introduction to Environmental Studies .
GEOG 280. Regional Geography .
HIST 101. World History to 1500 .
HIST 102. World History after 1500 .
INST 101. Introduction to International Studies .
ITEC 112. A Global Perspective of Information Technology .
PEAC 200. Introduction to Peace Studies .
RELN 112. Survey of World Religions .
RELN 205. Religion and Culture .
SOCY 121. Understanding Cultures .
THEA 180. Introduction to World Cinema .
WMST 101. Women in the World .

College Core B. Supporting Skills and Knowledge
(9-11 hours required)

Upon completion of College Core B (Supporting Skills and Knowledge), Radford University students will have a stronger foundation in three key areas: mathematical sciences or natural sciences; humanities, visual and performing arts or foreign languages; and social/behavioral sciences or health and wellness. As part of this area, students may take a course in a foreign language or health and wellness with learning outcomes specified below.

If a foreign language is chosen to satisfy this requirement, the student will achieve a degree of competence in a foreign language and culture, and will be able to:

• demonstrate language skills appropriate to the level of study
• analyze similarities and differences between their own and the target cultures
• explain contemporary international issues from the perspectives of their own and the target cultures

If a health and wellness course is chosen to satisfy this requirement, the student will understand the implications of health and lifestyle choices for him/herself and society, and will be able to:

• identify health-related choices that promote personal well being and enhance the overall quality of life
• analyze the relations among factors such as nutrition, stress, leisure, and health related fitness activities as they influence personal wellness
• explain how personal health and lifestyle choices affect society at large
• explain how social and cultural factors affect personal health and lifestyle choices

Required (3 or 4 hours)

All students must pass a second course in the Mathematical Sciences or Natural Sciences. In addition to the courses listed in these content areas in University Core B (above), students can also meet this requirement by passing:

STAT 200. Introduction to Statistics .

Required (3 or 4 hours)

All students must pass a second course in the Humanities, Visual and Performing Arts, or Foreign Languages. In addition to the courses listed in these content areas in University Core B (above), students can also meet this requirement by passing a foreign language course:

CHNS 101. Elementary Chinese I .
CHNS 102. Elementary Chinese II .
CHNS 201. Intermediate Chinese I .
CHNS 202. Intermediate Chinese II .
FORL 100. Elementary Conversation in Critical Languages .
FORL 109/209/309/409. Study Abroad Practicum.
FORL 200. Intermediate Conversation I in Critical Languages .
FORL 210. Intermediate Conversation II in Critical Languages .
FREN 100. Elementary French .
FREN 200. Intermediate French .
FREN 210. Intermediate French .
FREN 300. Readings in French .
FREN 320. Topics in French Cinema .
GRMN 100. Elementary German .
GRMN 200. Intermediate German .
GRMN 210. Intermediate German .
GRMN 300. Readings in German .
LATN 101. Elementary Latin .
LATN 102. Elementary Latin .
LATN 201. Intermediate Latin .
LATN 350. Latin Literature .
RUSS 100. Elementary Russian .
RUSS 200. Intermediate Russian I .
RUSS 210. Intermediate Russian II .
RUSS 300. Readings in Russian .
SPAN 101. Beginning Spanish .
SPAN 102. Beginning Spanish .
SPAN 201. Intermediate Spanish .
SPAN 202. Intermediate Spanish .

Required (3 hours)

All students must pass a second course in the Social and Behavioral Sciences or Health and Wellness. In addition to the courses listed in these content areas in University Core B (above), students can also meet this requirement by passing a Health and Wellness course:

HLTH 111. Personal Health .
HLTH 200. Wellness Lifestyle .
NURS 111. Personal Health .
NUTR 214. Introduction to Nutrition .
RCPT 200. Leisure in Contemporary Society .

TOTAL: 43-45 Required Hours in the Core Curriculum