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Core Curriculum

As the shared academic experience of all Detroit Mercy undergraduate students, the Core Curriculum is the signature element of a Detroit Mercy education. The Core serves as the foundation to the university's mission to "integrate the intellectual, spiritual, ethical and social development of our students."  

The  is provided to students through approved courses that incorporate outcomes designated for core knowledge areas or integrating themes.

The core curriculum is distributed among six knowledge areas (Communication Skills, Mathematical & Statistical Knowledge, Scientific Knowledge, Religious & Philosophical Knowledge, Essential Humanities, and Ethic & Social Responsibility) and six integrating themes (Reading, Writing, & Research; Critical Thinking; Cultural Diversity; Human Difference; Personal Spiritual Development; and Spirituality & Social Justice).

Knowledge areas consist of thirteen outcome areas mapped to thirteen courses (39 credits*). The six integrating themes are interwoven among core approved courses in the knowledge areas or within a student’s major, but may require additional credits.

Knowledge Areas

39 Credits*

Knowledge Area A: Communication Skills

6

A1: Oral Communication
A2: Written Communication

Knowledge Area B: Mathematical & Statistical Knowledge

6

B1: Quantitative & Symbolic Reasoning
B2: Statistical & and Probabilistic Reasoning

Knowledge Area C: Scientific Knowledge

6

C1: Physical Sciences
C2: Social Sciences

Knowledge Area D: Religious & Philosophical Knowledge

9

D1: Philosophical Knowledge
D2: Religious Knowledge
D3: PHL or RELS Elective

Knowledge Area E: Essential Humanities

9

E1: Historical Experiences
E2: Literary Experiences
E3: Aesthetic Experiences

Knowledge Area F: Ethics & Social Responsibility

3

F1: Ethics

* Credits may vary one to three credits based on major.

Integrating Themes (IT)**

 

Integrating Theme 1: Reading, Writing, & Research Across the University

 

Integrating Theme 2: Critical Thinking

 

Integrating Theme 3: Cultural Diversity

 

Integrating Theme 4: Human Difference

 

Integrating Theme 5: Personal Spiritual Development

 

Integrating Theme 6: Spirituality & Social Justice
**Each IT requirement may be fulfilled by a course in the student's major that has been approved for the core curriculum or by another core curriculum course.

List of University Core Curriculum approved courses

Additional approved classes may exist and will be noted in the Self-Service – Student course catalog and class schedule.

It is recommended that students consult closely with their academic advisor and review their degree evaluation before registering for core courses, as there may be prerequisites or specific courses unique to a program of study.

Knowledge Areas (39 Credits*)

Knowledge Area A: Communication Skills (6 credits)

A1: Oral Communication
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • Fundamentals of Speech

A2: Written Communication
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • Academic Writing

Knowledge Area B: Mathematical & Statistical Knowledge (6-7 credits)

B1: Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • Algebra
  • and MTH 1030 and MTH 1040 Algebra
  • Mathematical Analysis I
  • Mathematical Analysis II
  • Elementary Functions
  • Analytic Geometry & Calculus I
  • Analytic Geometry & Calculus II

B2: Statistical and Probabilistic Reasoning
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • Biostatistics
  • Fundamentals of Investments
  • Quantitative Analysis
  •  and Scientific Lit; Scientific Presentation
  • Applied Probability & Statistics
  • Applied Statistics for Nursing
  • Statistics
  • Social Research Methods

Knowledge Area C: Scientific Knowledge (6-8 credits)

C1: Physical Sciences
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • /: Environmental Science
  • Current Topics in Biology
  • and General Biology I + Lab
  • and Hum Anat & Phys I + Lab
  • Chemical Principles (2)
  • Intro Chem for the Health Sciences
  • Chemistry in Society (2)
  • History of the Universe
  • and Gen Physics I + Lab (2)
  • Energy and Society

C2: Social Sciences
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • Science, Technology, and Race (3)
  • Introduction to Economics
  • Microeconomic Principles
  • Macroeconomic Principles
  • Money and The Financial System
  • Comparative Economic Systems (2)
  • Economic Development (2)
  • School and Society
  • Professional Practice of Engineering (2)
  • World Regional Geography (2)
  • Health Economics
  • Introduction to Legal Studies
  • Intro to Political Science
  • Introduction to Law and the Judiciary
  • Women and Politics (3)
  • Civil Liberties and Equality
  • Politics in Africa
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology (3)
  • Social Psychology
  • Psychology of Environment (2)
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Cultural Anthropology (2)

(2) - Fulfills two core requirements
(3) - Fulfills three core requirements

Knowledge Area D: Religious & Philosophical Knowledge (9 credits)

D1: Philosophical Knowledge
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • Introduction to Philosophy

D2: Religious Knowledge
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • / Catholicism:Spirit & Methods (3)
  • The Study of Religions
  • Asian Religions (2)
  • Western Religions (2)
  • / Introduction to Islam
  • Introduction to Judaism
  • The Rise of Christianity
  • Religion in the United States of America
  • Black Religion in America (2)
  • Geographies of Religion
  • Intro to Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) (2)
  • Prophets and Visionaries (2)
  • Jesus and Gospels (2)
  • Introduction to the New Testament (2)

D3: Additional PHL/RELS Elective
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • // Classical and Contemporary Catholicism (3)
  • / Dynamics of Spiritual Growth (3)
  • /RELS 3800 Sport and Spiritual Traditions (2)
  • Person and Society
  • Symbolic Logic
  • Social & Political Philosophy
  • / Philosophy of Religion (3)
  • Philosophy of God
  • Aquinas: First University Masterpieces
  • Aesthetics (3)
  • Ancient Philosophy
  • Medieval Philosophy
  • Early Modern Philosophy
  • Philosophy of Feminism (3)
  • Philosophy, Visuality, and the New Media
  • Contemporary Moral Issues
  • PHL 3200 Contemporary Ethical Theory
  • Philosophy of the Human Person
  • African Philosophy and Culture (3)
  • Metaphysics (2)
  • Existentialism
  • / Classical Islam
  • Philosophy of Law
  • Contemporary Philosophy (2)
  • Epistemology (2)
  • Elements of Political Thought
  • Philosophy of Religion
  • RELS 3051/ Creative Islam
  • /ISLM 3200 Modern Debates in Islam
  • / Islam in America
  • Buddhism (3)
  • Buddhisms in America (2)
  • Class, Race, and Gender
  • RELS 3590 Religion, Health and Healing
  • Religions and Sci-Fi (2)
  • Religions and Global Wellbeing
  • Gender and Religion (2)
  • Gender in Asian Traditions (2)
  • The Torah
  • Prophets, Wisdom and Apocalyptic
  • The Four Gospels
  • Sexuality & Love in Contemp Christian Thought
  • Sex, Race and Class: Feminist/Womanist Ethics

(2) - Fulfills two core requirements
(3) - Fulfills three core requirements

Knowledge Area E: Essential Humanities (9 credits)

E1: Historical Experiences
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • Introduction to History
  • Ancient Mediterranean World
  • Medieval Europe
  • Early Modern Europe
  • Europe in the 19th & 20th Cent.
  • Modern Middle East
  • United States to 1877
  • United States Since 1877 (2)
  • Comparative Civilizations
  • Modern Latin American
  • Modern Africa (2)
  •  Social Hist of Art in Italy (2)
  • African-American History (3)

E2: Literary Experiences
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • Study of Fiction
  • Study of Poetry
  • Study of Drama

E3: Aesthetic Experiences
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • Sketching for Product Development
  • Architectural History & Theory II (2)
  • Visual Communication
  • Documentary Film Production
  • Intro to Creative Writing
  • Study of Film
  • Film Genres
  • Intermediate Creative Writing
  • Introduction to the Arts
  •  Social History of Art in Italy (2)
  • Introduction to World Art History
  • Survey of Our Music Heritage
  • Music of the Theatre
  • American Music
  • African-American Women in Music (2)
  • Introduction to Museum Studies
  • Aesthetics (3)
  • Introduction to the Theatre
  • Fundamentals of Human Expression
  • Fundamentals of Acting

(2) - Fulfills two core requirements
(3) - Fulfills three core requirements

Knowledge Area F: Ethics and Social Responsibility (3 credits)

F1: Ethics
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • Engineering Ethics (2)
  • Health Care Ethics
  • Foundations of Ethics
  • Introduction to Christian Ethics (2)
  • Justice: Contemp Issues and Theories (2)
  • Christian Ethics

(2) - Fulfills two core requirements
(3) - Fulfills three core requirements

* Credits may vary one to three credits based on major.

Integrating Themes (Up to 18 credits**)

Integrating Theme 1: Reading, Writing, and Research across the Curriculum

IT1: Reading, Writing, and Research across the Curriculum 
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • Architectural History and Theory II (2)
  • Biology and Social Issues
  • Business Law (2)
  • Chemical Principles (2)
  • Chemistry in Society (2)
  • Construction Materials
  • Strategies for Prevention of Oral Diseases and Scientific Literature
  • Fundamentals of Engineering Design
  • Intro to Professional Writing (2)
  • Writing about Literature (2)
  • Technical Writing
  •  Business Writing
  • History of the English Language
  • ENL 4070 Grant Writing
  • HSA 4700 Evidence-Based Research for Health Services Administration
  • Historical Methods
  • Nursing Research & Evidenced-Based Practice
  • PHIL 3410 Philosophy of the Human Person
  • Metaphysics (2)
  • Epistemology (2)
  • Developmental Psychology (3)
  • Abnormal Psychology (2)
  • Health Psychology (2)
  • Sex Differences and Sex Roles (2)
  • Critical Thinking & Writing for Social Workers (2)
  • The Complexity of Gender: Applied Approaches for Inquiry and Social Change (2)

(2) - Fulfills two core requirements
(3) - Fulfills three core requirements

Integrating Theme 2: Critical Thinking

IT2: Critical Thinking
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • Architectural History & Theory III
  • Ecology Laboratory
  • Physiology
  • Business Law (2) 
  • Introduction to Software Engineering
  • Thermodynamics I
  • Introduction to Professional Writing (2)
  • ENL 3000 Writing About Literature (2) (Effective Fall 2025)
  • United States Since 1877 (2)
  • Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
  • Leadership in Nursing Practice (2)
  • Critical Thinking
  • and Gen Physics I + Lab (2)
  • Introduction to Christian Ethics (2)
  • Buddhism (3)
  • Christianity and World Religions
  • Critical Thinking & Writing for Social Workers (2)
  • The Complexity of Gender: Applied Approaches for Inquiry and Social Change (2)

(2) - Fulfills two core requirements
(3) - Fulfills three core requirements

Integrating Theme 3: Cultural Diversity

IT3: Cultural Diversity
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  •  Black America Social Relations and Social Institutions (2)
  • Multicultural Competence in Treating Substance-Related Disorders
  • Introduction to Arabic I
  • Introduction to Arabic II
  • Introduction to Arabic III
  • Intermediate Arabic I
  • International Human Rights Law
  • Introductory Chinese I
  • Intercultural Communication
  • Comparative Economic Systems (2)
  • Economic Development (2)
  • Professional Practice of Engineering (2)
  • African-American Literature (2)
  • Introduction to French I
  • Introduction to French II
  • Introduction to French III
  • Intermediate French I
  • Introduction to German I
  • Introduction to German II
  • Introduction to German III
  • Intermediate German I
  • African-American History (3)
  • Population Health and Epidemiology
  • Health in the Community
  • Multicultural Understanding (2)
  • Introduction to Italian I
  • Introduction to Italian II
  • Aesthetics (3)
  • Philosophy of Feminism (3)
  • African Philosophy and Culture (3)
  • Introduction to Polish I
  • Race and Political Thought
  • POL 3100 Women and Politics (3)
  • Health Psychology (2)
  • Cross-Cultural Socialization
  • Asian Religions (2)
  • Western Religions (2)
  • Buddhism (3)
  • Buddhisms in American (2)
  • Religions and Global Wellbeing (2)
  • Cultural Anthropology (2)
  • Introduction to Spanish I
  • Introduction to Spanish II
  • Introduction to Spanish III
  • Intermediate Spanish I

(2) - Fulfills two core requirements
(3) - Fulfills three core requirements

Integrating Theme 4: Human Difference

IT4: Human Difference
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  •  Black America Social Relations and Social Institutions (2)
  • Science, Technology, and Race (3)
  • International Human Rights Law
  • Sociology of Deviant Behavior
  • Diverse Voices in Literature (2)
  • African American Literature (2)
  • World Regional Geography (2)
  • Modern Africa (2)
  • African-American History (3)
  • Multicultural Understanding (2)
  • African-American Women in Music (2)
  • Introduction to Nursing Practice in Mercy and Jesuit Traditions (2)
  • Leadership in Nursing Practice (2)
  • Philosophy of Feminism (3)
  • African Philosophy and Culture (3)
  • Contemporary Philosophy (2)
  • POL 3100 Women and Politics (3)
  • POL 4670 Politics in Africa
  • Developmental Psychology (3)
  • Psychology of Environment (2)
  • Human Sexuality
  • Psychology of Personality
  • Abnormal Psychology (2)
  • Sex Differences and Sex Roles (2)
  • Black Religion in America (2)
  • Love & Sexuality in Modern Christian Thought
  • Class, Race, and Gender
  • Religions and Sci-Fi (2)
  • Gender and Religions (2)
  • Gender in Asian Traditions (2)
  • Gender, Sex, and Justice (2)

(2) - Fulfills two core requirements
(3) - Fulfills three core requirements

Integrating Theme 5: Personal Spiritual Development

IT5: Personal Spiritual Development
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • / Catholicism: Spirit & Methods (3)
  • // Classical and Contemporary Catholicism (3)
  • / Dynamics of Spiritual Growth (3)
  • /RELS 3800 Sports and Spiritual Traditions (2)
  • Concepts in Community Health (2)
  • and and Engr Co-op I, II; Intro Co-op E&S
  • Introduction to Nursing Practice in Mercy and Jesuit Traditions (2)
  • Transitions Into Professional Practice in the Mercy and Jesuit Traditions (2)
  • / Philosophy of Religion (3)
  • Peace and Social Justice
  • / Exploring Leadership (2)
  • Self-Care & Spirituality (2)

(2) - Fulfills two core requirements
(3) - Fulfills three core requirements

Integrating Theme 6: Spirituality and Social Justice

IT6: Spirituality and Social Justice
(see College/School specific page for program requirements)

  • Science, Technology, and Race (3)
  • Introduction to Architecture II
  • Ethics, Bus. Leadership and Social Resp.
  • / Catholicism:Spirit & Methods (3)
  • // Classical and Contemporary Catholicism (3)
  • / Catholic Social Thought
  • / Dynamics of Spiritual Growth (3)
  • Concepts in Community Health (2)
  • Engineering Ethics (2)
  •  Diverse Voices in Literature (2)
  • Transitions Into Professional Practice in the Mercy and Jesuit Traditions (2)
  • Professional Practice from a Mercy and Jesuit Perspective
  • / Philosophy of Religion (3)
  • Peace & Social Justice
  • / Exploring Leadership (2)
  • Intro to Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) (2)
  • Prophets and Visionaries (2)
  • Jesus and the Gospels (2)
  • Introduction to the New Testament (2)
  • Ethics and Economic Theories
  • Justice: Contemporary Issues/Theories (2)
  • Religions and Global Wellbeing (2)
  • RELS 4230 Prophets, Wisdom and Apocalyptic (2)
  • Self-Care & Spirituality (2)
  • Gender, Sex, and Justice (2)

(2) - Fulfills two core requirements
(3) - Fulfills three core requirements

**Each IT requirement may be fulfilled by a course in the student's major that has been approved for the core curriculum or by another core curriculum course.

For more details about the Core Curriculum, visit your specific college or school from the following list: