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Lasallian Core Traditions Program
Lasallian Core Traditions Program
Gregory Sobolewski, Ph. D., Associate Vice-President – Academic Affairs
The Lasallian Core Traditions Program is the required core for the majority of the students in the
undergraduate College, and completion of the core curriculum partially fulfills the general education
requirements. This core provides a common Lasallian educational experience for students and is
grounded in the university mission and the Lasallian dispositions of faith, zeal, service, and community.
These four commitments underscore the ultimate aim of the program: to awaken and nurture the
intellectual, spiritual, and personal development of learners in preparation for lives of service and
commitment to social justice.
The first-year seminar helps new students transition to university life while also beginning to develop
their Lasallian identity as educated, competent, and compassionate members of society. In the secondyear
course, students hone their writing skills through the study of important texts on the virtuous life
from within the Western tradition, including selections from the life and work of Saint John Baptist de la
Salle. In the junior year, students explore issues of social justice inherent in our emerging global society,
while at the same time refining the knowledge, skills, and Catholic Lasallian values needed to evaluate
and respond appropriately to different perspectives on real world issues, problems, and themes. In
the senior capstone course, students explore the historical and philosophical origins of our American
culture and examine how these origins affect our understanding of our work, our relationships, our
faith, and our citizenship. The purpose of this forward-looking capstone course is to prepare students to
live out the Lasallian charism in contemporary America and the world.
Students must complete the 12 credit-hour Lasallian Core Traditions Program to graduate; first-year
students take LCT140; sophomores take LCT225; juniors take LCT375; and seniors take LCT475. In
addition, all students take ID160, an interdisciplinary and experiential arts course.
Courses
ID160 Artscore 2 credits
The purpose of Artscore is to develop in students an appreciation of the arts as a vital element
in understanding the human condition and to prepare students for a lifetime of arts audience
membership. The course explores the interrelationships among the artist, artwork, and audience using
the concepts of freedom and responsibility as integrating themes. Artscore involves preparation for
and evaluation/discussion of arts experiences; attendance at arts events is a requirement of the course.
Taken before the completion of the sophomore year.
LCT140 First-Year Seminar 3 credits
First Year Seminar provides new students at Saint Mary’s University with an integrated, initial academic
experience that enables them to successfully begin the process of developing a Lasallian identity as
educated and compassionate adults committed to ethical participation in our global society. To facilitate
a practical transition from high school to college, emphasis is placed on developing the academic skills
and attitudes necessary for students to think critically about those questions that help shape their
identity as young adults: who am I?, what can I become? and how can I become that person?
LCT225 Perspectives on the Good Human Life 3 credits
Perspectives on the good human life, taken in the sophomore year, moves beyond the first year seminar
focus of self-identity to explore various historical and contemporary perspectives on living life well. In the
spirit of LaSalle’s commitment to serving others and his recognition of the value of those less fortunate,
this course challenge students to examine how their own pursuit of the good life fits into a larger social
and historical picture. As a writing-intensive course, Perspectives allows students the opportunity to
develop their writing skills from the initial stages of critical reading to drafting and revision.
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