Total Credit Hours Required: 33 minimum
Students at Flagler College are required to complete Flagler’s general education program: the Core Academic Experience. The Flagler Core is a 33-credit hour sequence of specially designed courses that impart nine key skills (or “Literacies”) and that are informed by Flagler College’s Core Values: Citizenship with Integrity, Thoughtful Stewardship, Respectful and Inclusive Community, and Transformative Learning. These Core requirements should normally be completed by the end of the Sophomore Year.
The Core Academic Experience has three parts, all of which are required. First is the First Year Seminar on Liberal Education and Citizenship (FYS): a writing-intensive class that uses both classical and contemporary readings as well as current events to introduce students to Flagler College, the Flagler Core, and to the academic standards that characterize high-quality college-level work.
The second part consists of nine Core Literacy classes, typically taken during the first and second years at Flagler. Each Core class is unique, but each fulfills a single Core Literacy requirement (see A-I below) and is themed around one of Flagler’s Core Values. Students must take one class in each Literacy, and at least one class must also fall under each of Flagler’s four Core Values.
The third and final part of the Core is the FlagSHIP: an 2-3 week intensive, engaged, and experiential learning experience for students in their second year at Flagler that serves as the capstone to the Core and the completion of the first half of the student’s college experience. FlagSHIP courses are typically taken during the special January inter-term (between Fall and Spring semesters) or the Mayterm (immediately following the Spring semester) of the student’s second year.
Students who enter with an AA/BA/BS degree will have all Core requirements waived. Partial waivers are determined by the Registrar, as indiciated below.
I. FIRST YEAR SEMINAR (3 CREDIT HOURS)
The First Year Seminar on Liberal Education and Citizenship is Citizenship is a requirement for all first-time college students. First Year Seminar serves as both an introduction to the Flagler Core Academic Experience and a writing-intensive class that uses both classical and contemporary readings as well as current events to introduce students to Flagler College and to the academic standards that characterize high-quality college-level work. By the end of FYS students will know the basics of constructing an evidence-based argument, what it means to choose a major, and where various offices and services are located around campus. Taught by faculty from a wide range of disciplines, this course will help students understand how to read deeply, think broadly, write clearly, and communicate soundly. Students enrolled in the Honors Program should complete HON 100 to fulfill the First Year Seminar requirement.
• FYS 152 First Year Seminar on Liberal Education and Citizenship
• or
• HON 100 Honors Freshman Seminar
II. THE CORE LITERACIES (27 CREDIT HOURS)
The Literacy Courses are the centerpiece of the Flagler Core. Students fulfill nine (9) requirements while choosing from a wide range of specially designed classes. While making these choices, students pick at least one course themed to each of Flagler College’s four Core Values. As an example, any class with the catalog number COR 121 fulfills the Literacy requirement of Natural Scientific Inquiry (indicated by the second digit of the course number) and also the Value requirement of Citizenship with Integrity (indicated by the final digit). Courses that meet specific requirements will have course numbers that match the table below.
Core Classes by Literacy and Value
|
Citizenship with
Integrity
|
Thoughtful
Stewardship
|
Respectful and
Inclusive Community
|
Transformative
Learning
|
Academic Writing |
COR 101 |
COR 102 |
COR 103 |
COR 104 |
Oral Communication |
COR 111 |
COR 112 |
COR 113 |
COR 114 |
Natural Scientific Inquiry |
COR 121 |
COR 122 |
COR 123 |
COR 124 |
Social Scientific Inquiry |
COR 131 |
COR 132 |
COR 133 |
COR 134 |
Quantitative Reasoning |
COR 141 |
COR 142 |
COR 143 |
COR 144 |
Creativity |
COR 151 |
COR 152 |
COR 153 |
COR 154 |
Social & Cultural Inquiry |
COR 161 |
COR 162 |
COR 163 |
COR 164 |
Historical Inquiry |
COR 171 |
COR 172 |
COR 173 |
COR 174 |
Ethical Inquiry |
COR 181 |
COR 182 |
COR 183 |
COR 184 |
(Actual course titles will vary based on current offerings, which can be previewed here: Current Core Class Titles)
Students are required to take one class in each literacy, as follows:
(A) ACADEMIC WRITING (3 CREDIT HOURS)
The objective of this Literacy is to help students build a foundation in the practice of college-level academic writing. Instruction will provide students with the skills needed to effectively communicate through writing in college and beyond. This literacy may not be waived with transfer, dual enrollment, or test credit. Students must complete this literacy with a grade of C- or higher. Students may not take Academic Writing classes as electives.
Students choose one of the following. (Note, actual class titles will vary each semester. Titles may be found here.)
• COR 101 Academic Writing and Citizenship
• COR 102 Academic Writing and Thoughtful Stewardship
• COR 103 Academic Writing and Respectful and Inclusive Community
• COR 104 Academic Writing and Transformative Learning
(B) ORAL COMMUNICATION (3 CREDIT HOURS)
Oral communication is a fundamental and empowering skill even during the digital revolution that has swept the world. Effective oral communication helps students strengthen their critical thinking skills and enhances their leadership ability. Furthermore, our role as citizens in diverse communities demands ethical communication, which promotes fairness, honesty, accuracy, personal integrity and respect for others.
Students choose one of the following. (Note, actual class titles will vary each semester. Titles may be found here.)
• COR 111 Oral Communication and Citizenship with Integrity
• COR 112 Oral Communication and Thoughtful Stewardship
• COR 113 Oral Communication and Respectful and Inclusive Community
• COR 114 Oral Communication and Transformative Learning
(C) NATURAL SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY (3 CREDIT HOURS)
Natural science is an ever-growing body of knowledge, and an evidence-based way of understanding the nature of our world. Scientific Literacy has never been more needed than now as we navigate the challenges of the 21st century. Evidence-based knowledge depends upon the collection and analysis of empirical data. These data are gathered on biological, chemical, and physical phenomena to test hypotheses or challenge theories. Scientific Literacy requires disciplined critical thinking skills, and an ability to discern the reliability of information sources. Finally, natural scientific inquiry must be paired with clear and effective communication of data-based evidence, to improve our lives. Students may not take Natural Scientific Inquiry classes as electives.
Students choose one of the following. (Note, actual class titles will vary each semester. Titles may be found here.)
• COR 121 Natural Science and Citizenship with Integrity
• COR 122 Natural Science and Thoughtful Stewardship
• COR 123 Natural Science and Respectful and Inclusive Community
• COR 124 Natural Science and Transformative Learning
(D) SOCIAL SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY (3 CREDIT HOURS)
Exposure to research in the social sciences can make us better, more informed consumers of information. Many occupations require the use of research findings and are increasingly important when it comes to public policy and decision-making. By applying principles and methods from the social sciences, we can address questions about how and why we, as humans, act the way we do. Critical thinking is key for analyzing and interpreting information, as well as a basic understanding of social scientific theory and practice.
Students choose one of the following. (Note, actual class titles will vary each semester. Titles may be found here.)
• COR 131 Social Science and Citizenship with Integrity
• COR 132 Social Science and Thoughtful Stewardship
• COR 133 Social Science and Respectful and Inclusive Community
• COR 134 Social Science and Transformative Learning
(E) QUANTITATIVE REASONING (3 CREDIT HOURS)
Quantitative reasoning is the ability to understand and use quantitative information to come to a solid conclusion. It involves the application of basic mathematical, and critical thinking skills to draw justified conclusions from facts and evidence at hand. Students who successfully complete a quantitative reasoning course at Flagler College will be able to think analytically and apply basic mathematics and statistics skills to interpret data, draw conclusions, and solve problems within a disciplinary or interdisciplinary context. Students may not take Quantitative Reason classes as electives.
Students choose one of the following. (Note, actual class titles will vary each semester. Titles may be found here.)
• COR 141 Quantitative Reasoning and Citizenship with Integrity
• COR 142 Quantitative Reasoning and Thoughtful Stewardship
• COR 143 Quantitative Reasoning and Respectful and Inclusive Community
• COR 144 Quantitative Reasoning and Transformative Learning
(F) CREATIVITY (3 CREDIT HOURS)
Creative work is the manifestation of creative effort in the form of cultural artifacts both physical and digital, tangible and temporal. These artifacts may include but are not limited to tangible artwork (painting, sculpture, printing, etc.), digital artwork (digital graphics, websites, etc.) creative literature, music, theatrical performance, etc. Because creativity is an important component in all aspects of human endeavors it’s important to point out that the emphasis is on the application of human creative skill to the appreciation of aesthetic beauty and emotional power.
Students choose one of the following. (Note, actual class titles will vary each semester. Titles may be found here.)
• COR 151 Creativity and Citizenship with Integrity
• COR 152 Creativity and Thoughtful Stewardship
• COR 153 Creativity and Respectful and Inclusive Community
• COR 154 Creativity and Transformative Learning
(G) SOCIAL & CULTURAL INQUIRY (3 CREDIT HOURS)
The ability to uncover aspects of our shared humanity is essential to a productive career in any walk of life. Reflection upon our inner core and other cultures gives us the means to think of the many ways we can create shared meaning and understanding through intra- and intercultural communication. Comfort with the tension of competing but equally valuable ways of life is a mark of mature leadership.
Students choose one of the following. (Note, actual class titles will vary each semester. Titles may be found here.)
• COR 161 Social & Cultural Inquiry and Citizenship with Integrity
• COR 162 Social & Cultural Inquiry and Thoughtful Stewardship
• COR 163 Social & Cultural Inquiry and Respectful and Inclusive Community
• COR 164 Social & Cultural Inquiry and Transformative Learning
(H) HISTORIAL INQUIRY (3 CREDIT HOURS)
All courses in the Historical Inquiry category demonstrate how the past informs the present, emphasize the importance of context when studying historical topics, and introduce students to the types of evidence scholars use to develop narratives and reach conclusions pertaining to historical examination.
Students choose one of the following. (Note, actual class titles will vary each semester. Titles may be found here.)
• COR 171 Historical Inquiry and Citizenship with Integrity
• COR 172 Historical Inquiry and Thoughtful Stewardship
• COR 173 Historical Inquiry and Respectful and Inclusive Community
• COR 174 Historical Inquiry and Transformative Learning
(I) ETHICAL REASONING (3 CREDIT HOURS)
Ethics deals with questions of good and evil, right and wrong, should and should not. The ability to think critically about ethical issues, to question our own ethical presuppositions and those of others, and to productively engage with people whose ethical perspectives we disagree with or just don’t understand is crucial both on an individual level and for a well-functioning society. These skills are necessary for developing our own ability to make well informed ethical and political choices and to our formation as virtuous individuals. They are also indispensable tools for living and participating in a diverse democracy in which people often have different and sometimes conflicting values that inform their personal and collective decision making.
Students choose one of the following. (Note, actual class titles will vary each semester. Titles may be found here.)
• COR 181 Ethical Reasoning and Citizenship with Integrity
• COR 182 Ethical Reasoning and Thoughtful Stewardship
• COR 183 Ethical Reasoning and Respectful and Inclusive Community
• COR 184 Ethical Reasoning and Transformative Learning
GRADE REPLACEMENT FOR CORE LITERACY CLASSES
In Core Literacy Classes, Grades of D+, D, WF or F may be replaced by taking another Core class in the same literacy. For example, if a student earns a D in COR 132 (a Social Scientific Inquiry / Thoughtful Stewardship Course), the student may take any COR 131, 132, 133, or 134 course to replace the grade. If so, the student earns a total of 3 credit hours and the student satisfies the Value pathway of the course that is replacing the previously taken one Coursework that has its grade replaced by a later course is not counted toward a student’s GPA calculation, nor toward their total credit hours completed.
A student receiving financial aid, student athlete, or international student who considers repeating a course should contact the Office of Financial Aid to determine if he/she will earn sufficient hours for continued eligibility of that financial aid. Students may not attempt any course with the same title and description in any literacy more than three times.
TAKING CORE LITERACY CLASSES AS ELECTIVES
Students are required to pass one class in each Core literacy with a grade of D or higher, except for Academic Writing, which requires a grade of C- or higher. Students may take additional Core classes as electives if approved by the Registrar. Whether a second course in a literacy counts as a replacement or an elective depends on the grade earned in the first course, as explained below:
- First Attempt Grade of WF or F: Second course grade replaces the first according to standard rules for grade replacement.
- First Attempt Grade of D or D+: Second course grade replaces the first according to standard rules for grade replacement, unless the student notifies the Registrar’s office otherwise.
- First Attempt Grade of C- or Higher: second course grade does not replace the first but adds credit hours to graduation.
- Example: A student first takes COR 181 and earns an F. The student then takes COR 183 and earns a B+. The student’s GPA reflects the B+, replacing the F, and has a total of 3 credit hours.
- Example: A student takes COR 181 and earns a B. The student then takes COR 183 and earns an A. The student’s GPA reflects both the B and the A, and has a total of 6 credit hours.
Students may take multiple courses in a given literacy (with the exception of Academic Writing, Natural Scientific Inquiry, and Quantitative Reasoning). Students may not take as electives multiple courses in any literacy with the same title and description.
- Example: A student first takes COR 181 “Living in a Digital World” and earns an A. The student may then take COR 181 “How to Citizen” as an elective.
- Example: A student first takes COR 181 “Living in a Digital World” and earns an A. The student may not take COR 181 “Living in a Digital World” an additional time, as an elective.
CORE LITERACIES AND TRANSFER CREDITS
Various Core Literacies may be satisfied/waived through transfer, dual enrollment, or test credits, with a maximum of 5 total literacies being satisfied in this manner. The Registrar will make an evaluation of the student’s transcript to determine which Literacies are waived.
III. FLAGSHIP (3 CREDIT HOURS)
The FlagSHIP (Flagler College Sophomore High Impact Practice) program is the capstone to the Flagler Core Experience. FlagSHIP provides an intensive, engaged, and experiential learning experience for students in their second year at Flagler. A variety of courses are offered as part of the FlagSHIP program. These courses may utilize study abroad or study away travel, community integrative education, or an intensive seminar format, and are not major-specific. All of the courses foster diverse interactions and build intercultural competence to prepare our students for engaged citizenship in a diverse global community.
Students who enter Flagler with 60+ credits or an AA are exempted from FlagSHIP. All first-year Flagler enrollees will take FlagSHIP during their second year.
Students will register for their FlagSHIP experience in April after they enroll and will complete their FlagSHIP experience in January or May of the following academic year.
Students choose one of the following. (Note, actual class titles will vary. FlagSHIP courses may be found here.)
• CDD 240 FlagSHIP
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TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED: 33 MINIMUM