The Bradley Core Curriculum exposes all students to the requisite range of knowledge, skills and perspectives that prepares them for further learning and guides them on the path of continued growth to facilitate their success and fulfillment in a changing, complex world. In essence, the Bradley Core Curriculum lays the foundation for a lifetime of intellectual development.
More specifically, the Bradley Core Curriculum advances Lydia Moss Bradley’s intent that the university “furnish its students with the means of living an independent, industrious and useful life,” by equipping them with a common set of attributes, understandings and tools to:
- Make connections between thoughts, ideas and people through more emphasis on collaboration, critical thinking, decision-making and inquiry across disciplines and cultures;
- Become better communicators with the integrative, reflective and multidisciplinary mindset necessary in today’s global society; and
- Embrace the flexibility of a customizable Bradley Experience by pursing the subject areas that best support or complement their individual interests, abilities and future plans.
Core Learning Outcomes
The Bradley Core Curriculum was designed to help students achieve specific Core Learning Outcomes that span all aspects of the program.
- Critical and creative thinking. Bradley graduates will think critically, independently and creatively, and will employ evidence-based decision-making to solve problems and build new knowledge.
- Effective communication. Bradley graduates will be effective oral, written and non-verbal communicators as well as active readers and listeners.
- Multidisciplinary integration. Bradley graduates will approach learning in an integrated manner, connecting knowledge and skills across multiple disciplines.
- Practical application. Bradley graduates will apply knowledge and skills from the classroom in real-world situations.
- Social awareness. Bradley graduates will understand and act ethically upon their connections to larger communities.
Core Values
The Bradley Core Curriculum is grounded in a set of fundamental perspectives, Core Values, that lie at the heart of the university's scholarly enterprise.
- Curiosity;
- Freedom of inquiry and expression;
- Belief in the unity of knowledge;
- Pursuit of knowledge as its own end;
- Dedication and persistence in learning;
- Strong work ethic;
- Humility and circumspection toward what is known;
- Habit of self-reflection;
- Integrity;
- Flexibility; and
- Civility.
