The program began in 2010 as a collective endeavor of the English, history, philosophy, and religious studies departments as part of an effort to consider to what extent the humanities have shared intellectual interests, goals for student learning, and connections to the rest of the University. The mission is and was to take seriously the importance of the humanities to the University's goal to educate the whole person in connection with the common good and to pool information and resources for doing this in an integrated and effective manner.
engaging with fundamental questions about human life and values.
critical thinking, problem solving, effective communication, and internship opportunities.
Michael Zahorec, Philosophy & Engineering
In the spirit of the Common Academic Program, the departments of Religious Studies, Philosophy, History, and English are each a part of a Humanities Commons program, introducing the seven institutional learning goals while meeting appropriate disciplinary objectives.
The Core Program offers an innovative, 2 ½ year interdisciplinary curriculum that address a common theme, "Human Values in a Pluralistic Culture." Courses are carefully coordinated so students experience the integrated character of the liberal arts. Co-curricular speakers, arts events, and other activities related to course content are integral components of the program. Approximately 120 students enroll each year who represent a cross-section of all majors. ASI 110 and ASI 120 are the Core Program courses that are part of the Humanities Commons.
Students entering the University of Dayton complete a two-year course of study in composition by enrolling in ENG 100 in their first year and ENG 200 in their second year. University of Dayton Honors Program students complete a one-semester course of study in composition by taking ENG 198 or ENG 114 in their first year. ENG 100, ENG 114, and ENG 198 are courses in the Humanities Commons.
Students entering the University of Dayton complete HST 103: Introduction to Global Historical Studies as a part of the Common Academic Program and the Humanities Commons. While this course is taught by many different instructors, all sections will examine key aspects of world history. We will study how patterns of interactions in the past have contributed to the making of our contemporary world.
Students entering the University of Dayton complete PHL 103: Introduction to Philosophy as a part of the Common Academic Program and the Humanities Commons. While this course is taught by many different instructors, all sections will cover the following topics: Philosophical positions that relate to the Catholic intellectual tradition, philosophical conceptions of human flourishing, the use of philosophical conceptions of human flourishing to analyze human problems, perspectives from non-western cultures, social injustice and institutional structures, theoretical tools, and contemporary issues and global dimensions.
Students entering the University of Dayton complete REL 103: Introduction to Religious and Theological Studies as a part of the Common Academic Program and the Humanities Commons. While this course is taught by many different instructors, all sections will cover topics that will address the course objectives: religious positions relating to the Catholic intellectual tradition, the use of these religious conceptions to analyze human problems, perspectives from non-western religions, social injustice and institutional structures, theoretical tools, and contemporary issues and global dimensions.
2023 Edit-a-thon
A rallying cry for many women around the world has been this: “Women deserve a seat at the table.” This statement of empowerment was put on full display in the University of Dayton's Roesch Library on International Women’s Day where a group of female students participating in the Humanities Commons program sat together at a large table, hard at work. Around the table, the students clacked away at their keyboards and munched on cookies as they took part in the program’s very first edit-a-thon, editing the Wikipedia pages of prominent and influential women of their choosing.
UD's mission to educate the whole person is embodied in a new mini-course being developed with a grant from the Social Science Research Council.
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The University of Dayton Core Integrated Studies program helps students make informed choices about academic majors and vocational choices.
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