Columbia University's core curriculum

Hi everyone! I'm thinking of applying to Columbia University and I've heard they have this unique core curriculum. Can someone help explain what it's about and how it affects the college experience for students there?

Certainly! Columbia University is known for its Core Curriculum, which is a set of mandatory courses designed to provide a well-rounded liberal arts education to all undergraduate students, regardless of their major. Established in 1919, the Core Curriculum seeks to expose students to a diverse range of ideas, cultures, and knowledge in various disciplines.

There are several components to Columbia's Core Curriculum:

1. Literature Humanities: Students read and study classic works of literature, starting from ancient Greece to contemporary writings. The objective is to engage in discussions and form ideas on the human experience from a variety of perspectives.

2. Contemporary Civilization: This course focuses on the analysis of essential texts in moral, political, and social thought, ranging from ancient civilizations to contemporary society. Students critically examine ideas around democracy, ethics, and justice.

3. Art Humanities: Students explore the history and context of arts from various cultures and time periods, analyzing paintings, sculptures, and architectural works.

4. Music Humanities: This course introduces students to Western music from the Middle Ages to the present, covering key composers, works, and styles.

5. University Writing: To enhance and refine academic writing skills, students take this course centered around engaging in critical analysis, research, and the development of well-structured arguments.

6. Frontiers of Science: Designed to provide an understanding of the scientific method, this course exposes students to various cutting-edge scientific concepts and fosters appreciation for scientific thinking.

7. Foreign Language Requirement: Students must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language, either through completion of an intermediate-level course or testing.

8. Global Core Requirement: This requirement includes courses on cultures, societies, and histories that lie beyond the Western world, allowing students to gain a wider perspective on global issues and diversity.

9. Physical Education and Health: All students must complete two semesters of physical education and take a mandatory health workshop.

In terms of how this affects the college experience, the Core Curriculum encourages intellectual curiosity and cohesiveness among students. It creates a shared background for discussions, both inside and outside of the classroom, as every student will have experienced the same set of courses. By design, the Core Curriculum promotes critical thinking and multidisciplinary understanding, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Keep in mind that the Core does require students to dedicate a significant amount of time to these mandatory courses, which might not directly relate to their major. However, alumni often cite the Core Curriculum as an invaluable aspect of their education, as it provides them with the skills to think critically and engage with different ideas and fields throughout their careers.