Transforming the Ball State University Core Curriculum

The University Core Curriculum (UCC) aims to provide Ball State students with a strong foundation of ideas and skills to pursue fulfilling lives and meaningful careers. To create a distinctive Ball State Core in stronger alignment with the 30-Hour Indiana College Core, the University Core Curriculum Task Force has developed a reimagined University Core Curriculum, including a new structure with implementation recommendations.

Transformed Core FAQs
Executive Summary

Executive Summary

The Charge: The transformed UCC will serve as a unique Ball State University foundation for preparing students for fulfilling careers and meaningful lives. To promote recruitment and timely graduation, we will adjust Ball State University’s Core Curriculum (UCC) from 36 to 30 hours in alignment with the Indiana College Core (ICC).

Core Curriculum Purpose: To provide a liberal arts experience for all students regardless of their programs of study. The UCC offers BSU learning experiences that are ideally different from and complementary to those embedded in programs of study.

Guiding Principles: To promote student and faculty success, the UCC should:

  • Center Ball State University values, enabling students to discover their interests and strengths so they can lead meaningful lives;
  • Catalyze student interest by being available to all students with no restrictions or prerequisites and may function as gateways to majors and minors;
  • Generate enthusiasm, moving students, faculty, and staff from “have to” to “get to”;
  • Demonstrate the distinct contributions of various disciplines, ensuring students and faculty see themselves and what they value in the UCC;
  • Promote innovative best practices for teaching and learning, such as smaller classes, affordable textbooks, and access to high impact practices;
  • Support easy transfer of the ICC certificate and ICC credits, including dual credit, AP, CLEP, and/or on-campus or online courses taken at other colleges and universities;
  • Increase equitable outcomes for students by removing transfer barriers;
  • Ensure opportunities for Colleges to engage in general education and/or professional training given the shift of the 36-hour core to a 30-hour core. The 6 credit hours are available for College-specific requirements, including bookend courses, professionalization courses, and transitioning from college to the workforce courses.

UCC Structure in Detail

Foundational Intellectual Skills = 9 credit hours

  • Written Communication: ENG 103 (3 credit hours)
  • Speaking and Listening: COMM 210 (3 credit hours)
  • Quantitative Reasoning: MATH 125 (or required MATH core course) (3 credit hours)

Ways of Knowing = 9 credit hours

  • Scientific (3 credit hours)
  • Humanistic and Artistic/Design (3 credit hours)
  • Social and Behavioral (3 credit hours)

Courses offered in this category should be broad and of interest to all students. All courses must align clearly with the ICC learning objectives for the specific way of knowing.

Research-Based Writing = 3 credit hours
Either ENG 104 or a research-based writing course offered by a College that introduces students to the research-based writing conventions in one of the Ways of Knowing fields (listed above).

Beneficence Themes = 9 credit hours
These Themes highlight Beneficence values, goals, and skills and allow students to participate in transdisciplinary conversations; all courses proposed must fulfill the ICC learning objectives for the way of knowing selected by the proposing department.

Below is a list of Beneficence Theme options informed by Ball State University’s enduring values and its strategic plan.

  • Social Responsibility: Engaging responsibly with historical and contemporary frameworks to build and sustain stronger communities.
  • Sustainability:Fostering growth, environmental stewardship, care for human and nonhuman life, and quality of place.
  • Innovation and Creativity: Encouraging imagination and advancement in the arts, sciences, and technology.
  • Global Connections: Recognizing our interdependence and appreciating the varied cultural voices and experiences that shape our world.
  • Being Human:  Exploring what makes us human, including the cultures and values that guide us in an interconnected and rapidly changing universe.
  • Personal and Financial Wellness: Enhancing physical and mental wellbeing, professional success, and economic responsibility.
  • Honors in Practice: Fostering student-directed discovery through high-impact learning opportunities.

Alignment with Indiana College Core (ICC)

ICC General Requirements
  • 30 Hours
  • Meets ICC Competencies and Learning Outcomes
  • Facilitates the Transfer of Credit
  • Minimum GPA of 2.0
 
ICC Competency Requirements
  • Earn 9 Credits: 3 Credits in Each Foundational Intellectual Skills - Written Communication, Speaking and Listening, Quantitative Reasoning
    • In Proposed Structure: ENG 103, COMM 210, MATH 125 or Equivalent (9 Total Hours)

  • Earn 9 Credits: 3 Credits in Each Way of Knowing - Scientific, Humanistic and Artistic, Social and Behavioral
    • In Proposed Structure: 3 Credits from Options for each of the required Ways of Knowing: Scientific, Humanistic and Artistic, Social and Behavioral (9 Total Hours)

  • Earn 12 Additional Credits: Must Meet ICC Competencies and Institutional Curriculum Policies
    • In Proposed Structure: Research-Based Writing (3 Hours)
    • In Proposed Structure: Beneficence Cluster - 3 Courses from Options organized into Themes; Included Courses meet ICC Ways of Knowing (9 Total Hours)

Chair

Anand Marri, Provost

Faculty Members

Kristin Barry, Architecture, CAP
Conor Dailey, Student, CFA
Holly Dickin, Mathematical Sciences, CSH
Brian Gorman, Associate Dean, University College
Emily Rutter, Associate Dean, Honors College
Carolyn Shue, Communication Studies, CCIM
Scott Stephan, History, CSH
Linda Taylor, Elementary Education, TC
Allen Truell, ISOM, MCOB
Ellen Whitehead, Sociology, CSH
LeeAnne Wood, Music, CFA
Kendra Zenisek, Kinesiology, COH

University Governance

Nathan Bogert, Chair of University Senate, CFA
Douglass Roossien, Chair of Faculty Council, CSH

Administrative Support

Debbie Mix, Director of the University Core Curriculum
Carole Kacius, Director of Assessment and Accreditation
Tarek Mahfouz, AVP for Academic Planning and Operations
Kecia McBride, VP for Academic Affairs
Steve Reed, Senior Systems Specialist for Academic Affairs


April Hay, Registrar

Links and Documents

Transformed Core Proposal Documents

UCC Structure Proposal Executive Summary

UCC Structure Proposal Presentation

UCC FAQ Document

University Core Curriculum Links

UCC in the Course Catalog

UCC Assessments

UCC Instructions and Revisions

Lawhead Teaching Award in General Education