The Cornerstone Program
Mission
The Cornerstone Program, which all Stonehill College students complete, leads them to examine critically the self, society, culture and the natural world. The program honors the College's commitment to free inquiry and social responsibility in the tradition of Catholic higher education. Through the development of the knowledge, competencies, and values that are central to the Cornerstone Program, every Stonehill student will be prepared for a life of learning and responsible citizenship.
Expectations for Students
By choice of content and teaching methods, faculty teaching in The Cornerstone Program assist students in achieving the following goals within these five categories. Students demonstrate these achievements both within courses and within the portfolio.
Intellectual Engagement
Acquiring a breadth of knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences
Demonstrating critical reading abilities
Demonstrating critical thinking abilities
Integrating knowledge across disciplines
Effective Communication
Demonstrating the ability to write clearly and effectively
Demonstrating the ability to speak clearly and effectively in public
Leadership and Collaboration
Demonstrating the ability to contribute effectively to the work of a group
Demonstrating the ability to facilitate the work of a group
Demonstrating the ability to lead the work of a group
Social Responsibility
Valuing the diversity of persons and cultures
Recognizing the inherent dignity of all persons
Making sound decisions about ethical and social justice issues
Engaging in civic life and participatory citizenship
Personal Growth and Discovery
Developing the capacity and desire for continued learning
Exploring and developing one's values and worldview
Valuing free inquiry into all issues and questions of significance
Overview of the Cornerstone Program
The Cornerstone Program consists of several components taken in particular years, and others that may be taken in any year.
First Year
Each student is enrolled in the Critical Encounters program, consisting of four courses in history, literature, philosophy and religious studies. In addition to providing breadth of knowledge, these courses intensively develop students’ writing, reading, and thinking abilities. Through the structure of these courses, students begin to integrate across the disciplines. In most cases, students complete a year of foreign language (Any year-long sequence of French, German, Italian, Latin or Spanish) at this same time, experiencing the diversity of human culture. During the fall semester, students also participate in a one-credit seminar (GE100) designed to foster success in college.
Sophomore Year
Each student chooses from a variety of Learning Communities, further developing the ability to integrate two disciplines to formulate a better understanding of a significant issue, and including the reflective activities of community-based learning or traditional research. In addition to using the skills developed in the first year, students typically develop leadership and collaboration skills as well as public speaking skill during this second year.
Junior Year
Each student reflects further on personal and societal choices, choosing from a number of moral reasoning courses. In these courses, students continue their personal growth and discovery process as well as developing an ability to think critically about ethical issues.
Moral Reasoning
EV 270 Environmental Ethics
HS 326 The Christian Churches in Nazi Germany
PH 222 Ethics: Individual and Society
PH 223 Intro to Moral Reasoning
PH 234 Business Ethics
PH 235 Biomedical Ethics
PH 236 Ethics & the Arts
PH 281 Legal Philosophy
PH 282 Sex and Gender
PS 380 Dirty Hands
RS 200 Ten Commandments
RS 207 Islam and the Bible
RS 233 American Catholic Social History
RS 237 Moral Conflicts- Case Studies
RS 307 Buddhist Ethics
RS 317 Gods, Kings & Justice
Senior Year
Each major program requires a capstone course or experience, designed to help each student synthesize the knowledge, competencies and values of the Cornerstone program with the knowledge, competencies and values of the major discipline.
Distributions (may be taken any year)
Each major program requires a capstone course or experience, designed to help each student synthesize the knowledge, competencies and values of the Cornerstone program with the knowledge, competencies and values of the major discipline.