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University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core

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Breadth of Learning in an Atmosphere of Inquiry

49 credits, plus 3 credits for DSC 101 (or 1 credit for DSC 201 for transfer students)

A Marymount education reflects the mission of Marymount University, its Catholic identity and the heritage of its founders, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. The university fosters each student’s intellectual, spiritual, and moral growth through study, reflection, and application of knowledge. Marymount students prepare for the challenges of the 21st century by developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to succeed, adapt to change, and contribute to society.

In addition to requirements of their academic majors and minors, undergraduate students at Marymount complete a common curriculum, known as the University Liberal Arts Core. This creates an integrated learning experience that develops intellectual as well as practical skills. Courses in the core provide students with knowledge of human cultures and the world around them, prompt them to examine their own lives and values, and encourage them to cultivate their sense of personal and social responsibility. As a result, Marymount students become critical thinkers as well as reflective practitioners and are prepared to be lifelong learners who value and respect the importance of knowledge as they integrate and apply it.

Marymount University’s Liberal Arts Core is grounded in a Catholic intellectual tradition for which faith and reason are in harmony and education of the whole person is centered on examining fundamental questions of human existence, knowledge, and morality to deepen an appreciation of life. Examination of these topics through study in the traditional humanities and other disciplines provide breadth and depth to an understanding of self, community, and world.

Together, the core, major courses, and other University Requirements promote the following fundamental competencies:

Critical thinking
Information literacy
Communication
Inquiry
Ethics
Global perspective

The Liberal Arts Core lies at the heart of academic pursuits at Marymount. It enriches students’ learning, lives, and careers.

Breadth of Learning in an Atmosphere of Inquiry

The Liberal Arts Core requires courses in designated fields of study at both introductory and advanced levels in order to achieve both breadth and depth. Some courses have roots in the richness of the past. Others introduce recent methodologies. In addition to the Liberal Arts Core there are University Requirements, which can be completed by taking designated courses in the core, the major, or electives. The foundational approach to education for both the core and the majors is inquiry-guided learning, in which students ask engaging questions and search for answers through critical thinking, problem solving, and respectful dialogue focused on the examination of ideas.

There are University Requirements in the following:

Ethics (ETH)
Experiential Learning (EXP)
Global Perspective (GP)
Inquiry Learning (DSINQ)
Writing-Intensive (WI)

There are Liberal Arts Core requirements in the following:

Humanities
- Introductory and Advanced History (HI-1 and HI-2)
- Introductory and Advanced Literature (LT-1 and LT-2)
- Fine Arts (FNA)
Mathematics and Sciences
- Mathematics (MT)
- Natural Science (NS)
- Introductory and Advanced Social Science (SS-1 and SS-2)
Philosophy and Theology
- Introductory and Advanced Philosophy/Philosophical Ethics moral principles courses (PH-1, PH-2, and PH-E)
- Introductory and Advanced Theology and Religious Studies/Theological Ethics moral principles courses (TRS-1, TRS-2, and TRS-E)
Written Communication (WR)

A full list of courses identified as fulfilling University Requirements or the Liberal Arts Core follows. Any course that fulfills either requirement is also noted in the Course Description. Such courses include the appropriate designation, such as ETH, EXP, GP, etc.

University Requirements

Ethics (ETH Designation)

One designated course is required, in addition to the Liberal Arts Core requirement of a moral principles course. The following courses are designated ETH:

HI 203 Western Civilization I

HI 204 Western Civilization II

HI 210 History of the United States to 1877

HI 211 History of the United States since 1877

PH 301 Social and Political Philosophy

PH 305 Business Ethics

POL 104 American Government

POL 310 Political Parties and Interest Groups

POL 315 The Presidency

SOC 306 Social Class in Arlington

SOC 350 Social Justice

SOC 351 Addressing Injustice: Qualitative Research Methods

SOC 375 Topics in Human Rights

Experiential Learning (EXP Designation)

An internship, research, student-teaching, clinical experience, or research experience is required. Most students meet this requirement through the internship in their majors. The following courses are designated EXP:

AA 400 Internship

AA 433 Research

BIO 400 Internship

BIO 433 Research

CHM 433 Research

COM 400 Internship

COM 433 Research

CJ 400 Internship

CJ 433 Research

ECO 433 Research

ECO 490 Internship

ED 433 Research

ED 460, 460E, 460S Student Teaching

EN 400 Internship

EN 433 Research

FA 400 Internship

FA 433 Research

GSP 433 Research

GD 400 Internship

GD 433 Research

HPR 400 Internship

HPR 433 Research

HIM 400 Internship

HI 400 Internship

ID 400 Internship

IT 400 Internship

IT 433 IT Research

LA 433 Research

LA 490 Internship

LS 400 Internship

MA 400 Internship

MA 433 Research

MGT 433 Research

MGT 490 Internship

NU 433 Research

NU 490 Internship

PH 400 Internship

POL 400 Internship

PSY 400 Internship

PSY 405 General Psychology Laboratory Instructor Practicum

PSY 433 Research

SOC 400 Internship

SOC 433 Research

TRS 400 Internship

Global Perspective (GP Designation)

One designated course, study abroad, or foreign language course is required. The following courses are designated GP:

AA 405 Fashion in the Global Marketplace

ECO 350 Economics of Poverty

ECO 485 International Economics

EN 204 World Literature: Romanticism through Post-Modernism

FA 110 Cross-Cultural Visual Thinking

FIN 485 International Finance

FR 101 Introductory French I

FR 102 Introductory French II

GER 101 Introductory German I

GER 102 Introductory German II

IT 110 Information Technology in the Global Age

MGT 385 International Business

MGT 485 International Management

MKT 485 International Marketing

POL 102 International Relations

POL 103 Comparative Politics

POL 355 Advanced International Relations Theory

POL 360 Strategy and Power in World Politics

POL 380 Politics of Latin America

POL 381 Politics of Sub-Sahara Africa

POL 382 Politics of Western Europe

POL 385 Politics of South Asia

POL 386 Politics of East Asia

PSY 230 Abnormal Psychology

PSY 325 Cultural Psychology

SOC 131 Principles of Sociology

SOC 203 The Global Village

SOC 261 Through the Sociological Lens I

SOC 361 Through the Sociological Lens II

SOC 365 Gender Inequality in Global Perspective

SOC 375 Topics in Human Rights

SP 101 Introductory Spanish I

SP 102 Introductory Spanish II

TRS 201 Understanding Religion

TRS 202 Religions of the World

TRS 340 Judaism in Thought and Practice

TRS 345 Buddhist Traditions

Inquiry Learning (DSINQ Designation)

Four designated inquiry-guided learning courses are required. At least three courses in the major are designated as inquiry-guided learning. In addition, DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar and DSC 201 Transfer Student Experience are inquiry courses. The following courses are designated DSINQ and required by the major/program:

All majors: DSC 101 First-Year Seminar or DSC 201 Transfer Student Experience

Art: FA 213 Painting I, FA 353 Handmade Books, FA 422 Senior Project

Biology: BIO 151 General Biology I, BIO 300 Writing for Science, BIO 410 Seminar

Business Administration: MGT 223 Sophomore Business Experience, MGT 323 Junior Business Experience, MGT 423 Senior Business Experience, MGT 489 Senior Seminar, MSC 300 Business Statistics

Communication: COM 209 Introduction to Journalism, COM 300 Report Writing or COM 305 Journalism II, COM 402 Organizational Communication, COM 425 Senior Seminar

Criminal Justice: CJ 209 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System, CJ 304 Applied Research Methods, CJ 495 Senior Seminar

Economics in Society: ECO 305 Business and Economics of Sports or ECO 330 Managerial Economics, ECO 431 Contemporary Issues in Economics

Education: ED 301 Foundation of Literacy Development, MDS 480 Senior Seminar

English: EN 200 Elements of Literary Study, EN/IS 240 Introduction to Visual and Cultural Studies, EN 321 Modern Drama, EN 429 Topics in Performance or EN 490 Major Author(s)

Fashion Design: AA 265 Fashion Illustration I, AA 385 Apparel Design II, AA 407 Product Development

Fashion Merchandising: AA 273 Visual Merchandising, AA 407 Product Development, AA 422 Senior Seminar in Fashion Merchandising

Graphic Design: GD 202 Illustration I, GD 360 Graphic Design Studio II, GD 401 Graphic Design Studio III or GD 404 Performance Media Lab

Health Information Management: IT 205 Computer Technology, HIM 365 Integrated Health Care Technology, HIM 489 HIM Capstone Project

Health Sciences: HPR/PSY 225 Health Psychology, HPR 302 Fitness and Health Assessment, HPR 308 Transcultural Concepts in Health and Illness, HPR 415 Applications in Human Performance

History: HI 250 Research and Writing, HI 322 Colonial and Revolutionary America, HI 420 Senior Seminar

Information Technology: IT 205 Computer Technology, MSC 300 Business Statistics, IT 489 Capstone Project

Interior Design: ID 204 Foundation Studio III, ID 306 Practice Studio II, ID 409 Senior Capstone II

Liberal Studies: LS 420 Senior Seminar

Mathematics: MA 257 Introduction to Number Theory and Proof Techniques, MA 325 Differential Equations, MA 420 Abstract Algebra, MA 425 Introduction to Real Analysis

Nursing: NU 236 Fundamentals of Nursing, NU 403 Research and Evidence-Based Practice

Paralegal Studies: LA 280 Introduction to the Legal System, LA 391 Legal Research and Writing, LA 491 Computerized Legal Research

Philosophy: PH 325 Ancient Philosophy or PH 326 Medieval Philosophy or PH 327 Modern Philosophy, PH 328 Contemporary Philosophy: 19th-21st Century

Politics: POL 250 Research and Writing, POL 305 American Policy Process, POL 420 Senior Seminar

Psychology: PSY 260 Learning and Cognition, PSY 302 Research Design for Psychology, PSY 497 Senior Seminar

Sociology: SOC 351 Addressing Injustice: Qualitative Research Methods, SOC 352 Addressing Injustice: Quantitative Research Methods, SOC 365 Gender Inequality in Global Perspective, SOC 495 Senior Practicum

Theology and Religious Studies: TRS 201 Understanding Religion; TRS 361 Grace and Sin, Heaven and Hell; TRS 451 Christian Faith in the Modern World or TRS 499 Senior Seminar

Writing Intensive (WI Designation)

Three designated writing-intensive courses are required, in addition to the Liberal Arts Core requirement of the Written Communication sequence. The following courses are designated WI:

AA 320 Fashion Research and Communication

BIO 300 Writing for Science

BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods

COM 300 Report Writing

CJ 300 Writing for Criminal Justice

CJ 495 Senior Seminar

ECO 431 Contemporary Issues in Economics

ED 357 Teaching Social Studies and the Creative Arts

EN 200 Elements of Literary Study

EN 225 Literary Superheroes

EN 227 Short Fiction

EN 240 Introduction to Visual and Cultural Studies

EN 270 Approaches to Creative Writing

EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice

EN 303 Literary Nonfiction

EN 308 Style and Revision

EN 321 Modern Drama

EN 340 Major Women Writers

EN 350 The American Dream

EN 424 Senior Seminar

EN 426 Studies in the Novel

EN 429 Topics in Performance

EN 490 Major Author(s)

FA 345 Renaissance Art

FA 365 Baroque Art

FA 370 19th-Century Art

FA 380 Modern Art

FA 422 Senior Project

GD 301 History of Graphic Design

HCM 220 Quality Management in Health Care

HI 250 Research and Writing

HI 322 Colonial and Revolutionary America

HI 365 History of Medieval Europe

HI 370 History of Christianity in Medieval Europe

HI 375 Renaissance and Reformation

HI 420 Senior Seminar

HIM 365 Integrated Health Care Technology

HIM 489 HIM Capstone Project

HON 399 Research Tutorial

HPR 301 Health/Fitness Program Management

HPR 415 Applications in Human Performance

ID 408 Senior Capstone 1

ID 435 Advanced Professional Practice

ID 452 American Interiors

ID 454 Historic Preservation

IS 200 Approaches to Gender and Society

IS 240 Introduction to Visual and Cultural Studies

IT 110 Information Technology in the Global Age

IT 210 Software Engineering

IT 355 Software Testing, Documentation, and Quality Assurance

IT 489 Capstone Project

LA 391 Legal Research and Writing

LA 491 Computerized Legal Research

LS 300 Liberal Studies Readings and Portfolio Development

LS 420 Senior Seminar

MA 420 Abstract Algebra

MA 425 Introduction to Real Analysis

MDS 480 Senior Seminar

MGT 291 Business Communication

MKT 204 Sustainable Marketing

NU 302 Health Assessment

NU 425 Nursing Capstone

PH 315 Metaphysics and Epistemology

PH 328 Contemporary Philosophy (in selected semesters)

PH 345 Philosophy and Religion

PH 350 Philosophy of Science

PH 355 Existentialism and Phenomnology

PH 360 Philosophy and Literature

PH 370 Philosophy of Art

PH 405 Philosophy of Law

PH 406 Moral Psychology

PH 415A Area Studies: Asian Philosophy

PH 422 Senior Seminar (in selected semesters)

PH 425 Philosophy of Biology

PH 440 Philosophy of Mind

POL 250 Research and Writing

POL 355 Advanced International Relations Theory

POL 380 Politics of Latin America

POL 381 Politics of Sub-Sahara Africa

POL 382 Politics of Western Europe

POL 385 Politics of South Asia

POL 386 Politics of East Asia

POL 420 Senior Seminar

PSY 311 Early Childhood Development

PSY 330 Counseling Theories and Process

PSY 363 Abnormal Primate Psychology

PSY 497 Senior Seminar

SOC 204 Engaging Diversity

SOC 261 Through the Sociological Lens I

SOC 361 Through the Sociological Lens II

SOC 365 Gender Inequality in Global Perspective

SOC 400 Internship

SOC 495 Senior Seminar

TRS 320 American Religious History

TRS 361 Grace and Sin, Heaven and Hell

TRS 362 Friendship, Marriage, and God

TRS 380 The History of the Early Church

TRS 381 Medieval and Reformed Theology

TRS 499 Senior Seminar

Liberal Arts Core Requirements

Humanities

12 credits

Introductory college-level courses are required in history and literature. Students also select two courses in two different fields from designated fine arts, advanced history, or advanced literature courses.

Introductory History (HI-1 Designation)

One course from the following is required:

HI 203 Western Civilization I

HI 204 Western Civilization II

HI 210 History of the United States to 1877

HI 211 History of the United States since 1877

Introductory Literature (LT-1 Designation)

One course from the following is required:

EN 201 World Literature: The Ancient World

EN 202 World Literature: The Middle Ages

EN 203 World Literature: Renaissance through Enlightenment

EN 204 World Literature: Romanticism through Post-Modernism

EN 205 American Literature I

EN 206 American Literature II

EN 207 Theater History

EN 220 The Movie or the Book? Narrative Adaptation in Cinema

EN 225 Literary Superheroes

EN 227 Short Fiction

EN 230 American Multicultural Literature

IS 220 The Movie or the Book? Narrative Adaptation in Cinema

Fine Arts, Advanced History with a prerequisite, Advanced Literature with a prerequisite (FNA, HI-2, or LT-2 Designation)

Two courses in two different fields from the following are required:

EN 321 Modern Drama

EN 322 19th-Century British Poets

EN 323 Modern Poetry

EN 330 Chaucer and the Courtly Love Tradition

EN 340 Major Women Writers

EN 350 The American Dream

EN 351 Literature of Childhood and Adolescence

EN 355 Shakespeare

EN 357 Topics in Literature Before 1800

EN 426 Studies in the Novel

EN 428 Studies in Contemporary Literature

EN 429 Topics in Performance

EN 490 Major Author(s)

FA 103 Two-Dimensional Design

FA 104 Color Theory

FA 105 Drawing I

FA 107 Ceramics I: Introduction to Hand-building

FA 110 Cross-Cultural Visual Thinking

FA 121 Music History I

FA 122 Music History II

FA 150 History of Jazz

FA 161 Dance Appreciation

FA 165 Beginning Modern Dance

FA 170 Beginning Jazz Dance

FA 201 Introduction to Art History I

FA 202 Introduction to Art History II

HI 310 Modern European History: 1815-1914

HI 311 Modern European History: 1914 to the Present

HI 322 Colonial and Revolutionary America

HI 323 The Early National Period and the Jacksonian Era

HI 325C Topics in American History: The Frontier

HI 325D Topics in American History: Virginia and the Old South

HI 345 The Gilded Age and the Progressive Era

HI 350 Modern United States History

HI 365 History of Medieval Europe

HI 370 History of Christianity in the Middle Ages

HI 375 The Renaissance and the Reformation

HPR 170 Beginning Jazz Dance

Mathematics and Sciences

19 credits

College-level courses are required in mathematics, natural science, and social science. Four fields — economics, politics, psychology, and sociology — constitute the social sciences, and requirements vary depending upon the degree being sought.

Mathematics (MT Designation)

One course from the following is required. Credits from MA 019W, MA 094, and MA 095 may not be applied toward any degree.

MA 119 Introduction to Problem Solving with Quantitative Reasoning Review

MA 121 Introduction to Problem Solving

MA 124 History of Mathematics

MA 127 Applied Geometry

MA 132 Statistical Analysis

MA 151 Quantitative Methods for Business

MA 171 Calculus with Precalculus A

MA 181 Calculus

MA 200 Calculus of the Infinite

MA 260 Discrete Mathematics for Information Technology

Natural Science (NS Designation)

At least one course with laboratory from the following is required. Some students have the option of completing a second Natural Science (NS) course, lab optional, or a third Introductory Social Science (SS-1) course.

ASTR 101 Astronomy

BIO 110 Introduction to Environmental Science

BIO 111 Human Genetics for Nonmajors

BIO 120 Introduction to the Biological World

BIO 127 Introduction to Marine Biology and Tropical Ecology

BIO 151 General Biology I

BIO 152 General Biology II

BIO 161 Anatomy and Physiology I

BIO 162 Anatomy and Physiology II

BIO 262 Genetics for Majors

BIO 327 Introduction to Marine Biology and Tropical Ecology

CHM 110 Science of Light and Color

CHM 125 Life Chemistry

CHM 151 Principles of Chemistry I

CHM 152 Principles of Chemistry II

GEOL 102 Principles of Geology

PSC 103 Introduction to the Physical Sciences

PHYS 271 General Physics I

PHYS 272 General Physics II

Introductory Social Science (SS-1 Designation)

The following requirements apply to all students, except those completing a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.):

Two introductory courses in two different fields are required; students must also select between one more of the following courses or a second Natural Science (NS) course, lab optional.

B.B.A. students: ECO 210; ECO 211; and one Introductory Social Science (SS-1) course from politics, psychology, or sociology, are required.

ECO 210 Principles of Microeconomics

ECO 211 Principles of Macroeconomics

POL 102 International Relations

POL 103 Comparative Politics

POL 104 American Government

PSY 101 General Psychology

PSY 110 Human Growth and Development

SOC 131 Principles of Sociology

SOC 203 The Global Village

SOC 204 Engaging Diversity

SOC 261 Through the Sociological Lens I

Advanced Social Science (SS-2 Designation)

All students, except B.B.A. students, select one Advanced Social Science (SS-2) course with a prerequisite from the following.

B.B.A. students select an Advanced Social Science (SS-2) or second Natural Science (NS) course, lab optional.

ECO 304 Environmental Economics

ECO 305 The Business and Economics of Sports

ECO 332 Money and Banking

ECO 350 Economics of Poverty

ECO 431 Contemporary Issues in Macroeconomics

HPR 406 Stress Management

POL 300 State and Urban Politics

POL 305 American Policy Process

POL 307 Race and Politics

POL 310 Political Parties and Interest Groups

POL 312 Media and Politics

POL 315 The Presidency

POL 320 The Congress

POL 330 Judicial Politics

POL 355 Advanced International Relations Theory

POL 360 Strategy and Power in World Politics

POL 380 Politics of Latin America

POL 381 Politics of Sub-Sahara Africa

POL 382 Politics of Western Europe

POL 385 Politics of South Asia

POL 386 Politics of East Asia

PSY 230 Abnormal Psychology

PSY 311 Early Childhood Development

PSY 313 Adulthood and Aging

PSY 321 Psychology of Gender

PSY 325 Cultural Psychology

PSY 341 Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities

PSY 363 Abnormal Primate Behavior

PSY 406 Stress Management

SOC 305 Criminology

SOC 306 Social Class in Arlington

SOC 322 Racial and Ethnic Diversity

SOC 350 Social Justice

SOC 351 Addressing Injustice: Qualitative Research Methods

SOC 352 Addressing Injustice: Quantitative Research Methods

SOC 361 Through the Sociological Lens II

SOC 365 Gender Inequality in Global Perspective

SOC 375 Topics in Human Rights

Philosophy/Theology and Religious Studies, including Moral Principles courses

12 credits

All students take introductory and advanced courses in philosophy and in theology/religious studies. When choosing courses from the advanced sequence, one course must be a designated moral principles course. If a student chooses an Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) course, the other course must be chosen from the Theological Ethics (TRS-E) courses. If a student chooses an Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) course, the other course must be chosen from the Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) courses.

Introductory Philosophy (PH-1 Designation)

All students take the following course:

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy

Advanced Philosophy (PH-2 Designation)

One course from the following is required. (If an Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) course has or will be taken, a Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) course must be selected for this sequence.)

PH 300 Modern Logic

PH 301 Social and Political Philosophy

PH 305 Business Ethics

PH 315 Metaphysics and Epistemology

PH 325 Ancient Philosophy

PH 326 Medieval Philosophy

PH 327 Modern Philosophy

PH 328 Contemporary Philosophy: 19th-21st Century

PH 345 Philosophy of Religion

PH 350 Philosophy of Science

PH 355 Existentialism and Phenomenology

PH 360 Philosophy and Literature

PH 370 Philosophy of Art

Philosophical Ethics (PH-E moral principles Designation)

To be chosen by students who have taken, or will take, an Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) course:

PH 309 Ethical Theory

Introductory Theology (TRS-1 Designation)

All students take the following course:

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2 Designation)

One course from the following is required. If an Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) course has or will be taken, a Theological Ethics (TRS-E) course must be selected for this sequence.

TRS 201 Understanding Religion

TRS 202 Religions of the World

TRS 251 Religions of the Old Testament

TRS 260 The New Testament Gospels

TRS 261 The New Testament Epistles

TRS 270 Christ in Christianity

TRS 271 The Christian God: One in Three

TRS 272 The Mystery of the Church

TRS 320 American Religious History

TRS 325 Religious Approaches to Death

TRS 330 Religious Journeys of Young Adults

TRS 361 Grace and Sin, Heaven and Hell