The Liberal Arts Seminars (CORE101 and CORE301) are an integral part of the Core Curriculum at St. Marys College of Maryland.
First-year students (defined for this purpose as students coming in with 24 or fewer credits) are required to take CORE 101 in their first fall semester on campus; while transfer students (more than 24 credits) take CORE 301 during their first semester, whether spring or fall. The seminars are small, discussion-focused classes taught by professors from every discipline at the college.
One goal of the seminar is to help students participate in academic discourse as active members of the college community. In addition, while focusing on a particular topic, students will also be introduced to the four fundamental liberal arts skills .Thus, students will learn to use a variety of critical thinking methods; access information effectively and efficiently while evaluating sources critically; write with proficiency for a variety of audiences; and use effective oral expression strategies and model civility of discourse.
The seminars provide a great opportunity for new students to get to know each other, an upper-class student who serves as a peer mentor, and their professor while learning about engaging and challenging topics.