Syracuse Sun

Rapid technological changes, environmental challenges, and social injustices are presenting graduates with complex issues that require creative solutions. In response, the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs have revised their Liberal Arts Core (LAC) curriculum to better prepare students for an evolving world. The new curriculum will be implemented in Fall 2025 for incoming students.

The LAC is a set of graduation requirements for undergraduates at A&S/Maxwell, including those dually enrolled with the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications or the School of Education. It guides students through various liberal arts courses. The updated LAC shifts from traditional disciplinary perspectives to a thematic approach and requires a course with research or experiential learning components.

Courses in the LAC will cover global perspectives, languages, arts, politics, sciences, cognition, ethics, quantitative reasoning, data literacy, and more. This reimagined curriculum aims to provide a foundation relevant to personal and professional lives.

The revision process began in 2020 under leaders such as Karin Ruhlandt, dean emerita of A&S; Lois Agnew, Syracuse University interim vice chancellor and provost; and Carol Faulkner, Maxwell senior associate dean for academic affairs. A committee evaluated the core requirements with input from students and alumni.

A&S Dean Behzad Mortazavi praised those involved: “I want to express my gratitude to Karin, Lois, Carol and the many faculty, alumni and students who shared their valuable ideas... As we confront complex issues like climate change... it’s crucial for students to be ready to face both current and emerging challenges.”

Further details about the new Liberal Arts Core will be announced later.