Section Home
49 credits, plus 3 credits for DSC 101 (or 1 credit for DSC 201 for transfer students)
Students in all undergraduate academic majors and minors at Marymount University complete a common curriculum, known as the University Liberal Arts Core. The Liberal Arts Core is an integrated learning experience that develops intellectual as well as practical skills. Its purpose is to enable Marymount students to become critical thinkers and lifelong learners who value and pursue knowledge for its own sake, as well as apply knowledge within their chosen professions.
The Liberal Arts Core reflects the mission of Marymount University, its Catholic identity and the heritage of its founders, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. Central to this mission is a commitment to the 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 and values to deepen an appreciation of life. The Liberal Arts Core is therefore grounded in the traditional humanities and sciences, the study of which provides students with a broad understanding of human cultures and the world around them, prompts them to examine their own lives and values, and encourages them to cultivate their sense of personal and social responsibility. Required subjects include theology, religion, philosophy, history, literature, social science, natural science, and mathematics.
There are several other hallmarks or unifying themes of a Marymount education that are supported by the Liberal Arts Core and other University Requirements. The Liberal Arts Core emphasizes the importance of ethical awareness and reflection by requiring a course in moral principles, and the study of ethical issues permeates the rest of the curriculum. The curriculum prepares students for life in an increasingly interdependent world by requiring a global perspective course that focuses on contemporary transnational or cross-cultural issues. Many required courses throughout the curriculum focus on developing written communication, critical thinking, and independent research skills. The Liberal Arts Core also provides students with opportunities to develop aesthetic appreciation through the study of fine art and literature.
Together, the courses in the Liberal Arts Core curriculum promote the following regularly assessed fundamental competencies:
The Liberal Arts Core lies at the heart of academic pursuits at Marymount. It enriches students’ learning, lives, and careers. It fosters each student’s intellectual, spiritual, and moral growth through study, reflection, and application of knowledge. It prepares Marymount students for the challenges of the 21st century by developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to succeed, adapt to change, and contribute to society.
The Liberal Arts Core requires courses in designated fields of study at both introductory and advanced levels. The Liberal Arts Core includes additional general requirements which can be completed by taking designated courses in the core, the major or electives. These are called University Requirements.
There are University Requirements in the following:
There are Liberal Arts Core requirements in the following:
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 EXP, GP, etc.
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. (Note: Please see the policy on internship registration requirements and deadlines under Internship Registration.) The following courses are designated EXP:
AA 400 Internship
AA 433 Research
BIO 400 Internship
BIO 433 Research
CHM 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
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
HPR 240 Principles of Epidemiology
HPR 308 Global Health and Culture
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
SOC 385 Global Inequality and Community Development
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 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: CMD 209 Contemporary Journalism, CMD 300 Report Writing, CMD 402 Organizational Communication, CMD 425 Senior Seminar in Communication
Criminal Justice: CJ 209 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 II
Fashion Merchandising: AA 273 Visual Merchandising, AA 407 Product Development II, AA 422 Senior Seminar in Fashion Merchandising
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
Media Design: CMD 202 Illustration, CMD 360 Communication and Design Studio, CMD 404 Performance Media Lab
Nursing: NU 236 Fundamentals of Nursing, NU 403 Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Paralegal Studies: LA 280 Introduction to the Legal System
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
ACT 420 Advanced Accounting Topics
BIO 300 Writing for Science
BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods
CMD 300 Report Writing
CMD 301 History of Graphic Design
CJ 300 Writing for Criminal Justice
CJ 495 Senior Seminar
ECO 431 Contemporary Issues in Economics
ED 357 Teaching Social Studies and 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
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 The Renaissance and the 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 452 American Interiors
ID 454 Historic Preservation
IS 200 Approaches to Gender and Society
IS 240 Introduction to Visual and Cultural Studies
IT 210 Software Engineering
IT 355 Software Testing, Documentation, and Quality Assurance
IT 489 Capstone Project
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
NU 302 Health Assessment
NU 425D Nursing Capstone
PH 315 Metaphysics and Epistemology
PH 328 Contemporary Philosophy (in selected semesters)
PH 345 Philosophy of Religion
PH 350 Philosophy of Science
PH 355 Existentialism and Phenomnology
PH 360 Philosophy and Literature
PH 370 Philosophy of Art
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
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 103 Western Civilization I
HI 104 Western Civilization II
HI 110 History of the United States to 1877
HI 111 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
FA 215 Wheel-Thrown Ceramics
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 Medieval Europe
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 Math for Liberal Arts with Quantitative Reasoning Workshop
MA 121 Math for Liberal Arts
MA 124 History of Mathematics
MA 127 Applied Geometry
MA 132 Statistical Analysis
MA 151 Mathematical 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 Economics
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 Inequality 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
SOC 385 Global Inequality and Community Development
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 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 301 Social and Political Philosophy
PH 303 Animals, the Environment and Ethics
PH 305 Business Ethics
PH 307 Philosophy of Law
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 The Religion 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 and Three
TRS 272 The Mystery of the Church
TRS 273 Sacraments in Christian Theology
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
TRS 362 Friendship, Marriage, and God
TRS 370 The Bible as Literature
TRS 380 The History of the Early Church
TRS 381 Medieval and Reformed Theology
TRS 382 The Church in the Modern World
Theological Ethics (TRS-E moral principles Designation)
One course to be chosen by students who have taken, or will take, an Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) course:
TRS 351 The Foundations of Christian Morality
TRS 352 Catholic Medical Morality
TRS 353 Catholic Social Morality
Written Communication
6 credits
Written Communication (WR Designation)
All students take the following two courses:
EN 101 Composition I
EN 102 Composition II
Catalog Links