One enduring element of the mission of Marist College has been to provide students with an experience that blends career preparation with an education in the tradition of the liberal arts. The commitment of the faculty to providing students with a rounded education is evident in the Core/Liberal Studies Program that emphasizes the following goals:
In the required Introduction to Philosophy course, students are introduced to the variety of ways of understanding one's relationship with the world. In the required Ethics course, students consider the integral role of values in the pursuit of knowledge and in human society. In the required Writing courses, students develop their skills in scholarly documentation and in the organization and presentation of ideas, skills important to success in academic and professional life.
The distribution requirements ensure that students are introduced to a broad range of disciplines. Since each discipline represents a distinctive approach to knowledge and understanding, these courses complement the attention to values awareness emphasized in the common courses. These courses are content-based and emphasize an understanding of the skills, methodology, and ethical issues of each discipline.
The required Capping Course is a discipline-based experience that addresses the general concerns of the discipline within a wider context and addresses values issues developed throughout the Core/Liberal Studies Program.
The Core/Liberal Studies Program is in effect for all incoming freshmen except students in the Integrative Major. Students transferring to Marist may receive Core/Liberal Studies credit for courses previously taken. Core/Liberal Studies courses cannot be taken Pass/No Credit. Once a student has matriculated at Marist, Core/Liberal Studies Capping Course requirements must be fulfilled at Marist College.
