Mercy Core Curriculum

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Undergraduate Student Learning Outcomes
Bachelor Degrees

The Mercy Core curriculum is the foundation of a College of Saint Mary education. More than an academic requirement, it is a call to lead with courage, think with purpose, and act for justice. Rooted in the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy, the Mercy Core blends academics with action to prepare women for impactful lives.

Common Intellectual Experiences

CORE 101: Leading with Mercy (1 Credit)

This course introduces students to the College of Saint Mary (CSM) community; helps students discover what it means to be a CSM student in light of the CSM mission, the Sisters of Mercy’s Critical Concerns, and women’s leadership; and assists students in applying these values to their personal and professional lives.

CORE 199: Critical Concerns: Theology and Action (3 Credits)

Core 199 courses examine the theology of the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy and focus on their integration into students’ personal mission/vocation. All Core 199 courses include a significant service/advocacy project.

CORE 400: Women of Impact (1 Credit)

This capstone course focuses students on “what comes next” for the CSM graduate. Through a range of integrative projects students employ core learning to practice leadership in their communities, their professions and their personal lives. The course culminates with students’ finalization of a personal mission statement which is woven through each student’s final professional presentation on scholars' day.

Theology (3 Credits)

Theology courses are an opportunity to see how the Christian tradition, particularly Catholicism, tries to tackle the “big questions” of human life, so that students can reflect on their own deeply held values and sense of purpose. Theology courses also encourage students to observe how religion in general, and Christianity in particular, influences (and is influenced by) the wider world. Only Theology courses from a Catholic university meet the Theology requirement.

Philosophical Ethics (3 Credits)

Ethics courses approved for this requirement introduce students to, or build upon, foundational philosophical ethical theory and method, integrating those theories with particular applied ethical issues. Only philosophy courses can meet the Philosophical Ethics requirement. 

Core Competencies

Academic Writing & Information Literacy (6 Credits)

To cultivate competence in Academic Writing and Information Literacy, students will both learn and apply the writing process (brainstorming, drafting, workshopping, revising, and editing) and information literacy skills (finding, evaluating, and documenting sources) to produce effective written communication in the Liberal Arts. Courses approved for this competency must require students to complete multiple writing tasks of progressive length and complexity, totaling at least 18-20 pages. Students must be afforded the opportunity to edit and resubmit drafts for at least some of these writing assignments.

Creative Thinking & Expression (3 Credits)

To cultivate competence in Creative Thinking and Expression, students will employ the habits of creativity in English or the fine arts (imagination, artistry, wonder, receptivity, and experimentation) to effectively represent and respond to complex problems or ideas. Courses approved for this competency must engage students in creating, workshopping, revising, and/or sharing their work and in applying creative thinking to represent and respond to complex problems or ideas. 

Critical Reading & Analysis (6 Credits)

To cultivate competence in Critical Reading and Analysis, students will learn strategies and techniques for reading, interpreting, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating a text’s message, purpose, context, and argument. Students will challenge not just what they are reading but the lens through which they read. Courses approved for this competency must include specific instruction on strategies and techniques for reading and analyzing primary and/or secondary texts and evaluating the significance of a text’s message, purpose, or argument.  Student proficiency with these strategies and techniques must be assessed both orally and in writing.

Global Citizenship (3 Credits)

Global Citizenship courses come from a wide array of disciplines and include a focus on the power structures in society, especially the effect of systemic oppression on traditionally marginalized populations. Special focus is given to women’s experiences.

Quantitative Reasoning (3 Credits)

To cultivate competence in Quantitative Reasoning, students will learn essential mathematical principles and select and apply appropriate mathematical knowledge and skills when solving problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. Courses approved for this competency will include broad introductions to mathematics with instruction and practice in problem-solving methods that are effective and efficient for a broad array of problems.

Scientific Thinking (4 Credits)

To cultivate competence in Scientific Thinking, students will learn and apply scientific evidence, principles, theories, and methods to analyze models, data, and complex problems. Courses approved for this competency will include instruction in scientific evidence, principles, theories, methods and analysis along with applications as well as scientific communication such as units, scientific notation, syntax, and discipline-specific language. These courses will include a lab.

Understanding Human Behavior & Social Systems (3 Credits)

To cultivate competence in Understanding Human Behavior and Social Systems, students will learn and apply the theories and methods of social scientists to recognize how social institutions, cultures, and interactions influence human behavior (personal behavior and behavior in groups). Courses approved for this competency will include instruction concerning social scientists’ use of historical and contemporary data (how and why social scientists gather and analyze qualitative or quantitative data to answer questions or make arguments). Students will apply social scientific theories and practice the methods of social science to understand human behavior.

Courses Approved for Core Competencies

Academic Writing & Information Literacy (6 Credits)

Students must complete either ENG 101 or ENG 102.

Creative Thinking & Expression (3 Credits)
Critical Reading & Analysis (6 Credits)
Global Citizenship (3 Credits)
Quantitative Reasoning (3 Credits)
Understanding Human Behavior and Social Systems (3 credits)
  • COM 306: Intercultural Communication
  • COM 330: Gender and Communication
  • HPS 110: American Government
  • HPS 131: History of the United States to 1865
  • HPS 132: History of the United States since 1865
  • HPS 160: World Geography
  • HPS 210: American Foreign Policy
  • HPS 251: US Women's History
  • HPS 270: The History of Race and Racism in Science and Medicine I
  • HPS 349: Holocaust in Literature and Film
  • HPS 375: Western Civilization to 1500
  • HPS 376: Western Civilization since 1500
  • IDS 210: Advancing Health Equity
  • IDS 211: Underrepresented and Vulnerable Populations in Healthcare
  • LAW 110: The Legal Environment
  • PSY 101: General Psychology
  • PSY 230: Attitudes and Values
  • PSY 235: Social Psychology
  • PSY 236: Alcohol and Substance Abuse
  • PSY 310: History and Applications of Psychology
  • PSY 325: Organizational Behavior
  • PSY 352: Psychology Applied to Television & Film
  • SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology
  • SOC 310: Family Communication & Diversity
  • SOC 325: Organizational Behavior
Scientific Thinking (4 credits, lecture + lab)