The Ethics, Applied Ethics, Religious Studies breadth requirement builds on the living legacy of the Marist Brothers and reflects the strong sense of community found here at the College. Courses in Ethics, Applied Ethics, and Religious Studies provide students with the chance to develop their understanding of philosophical and religious traditions and to engage actively with ethical and spiritual questions.

Please note: (1) A cross-listed course can only satisfy ONE breadth requirement within the Core. For example, REST 214 Religious Themes in Literature can fulfill either the Ethics, Applied Ethics, Religious Studies or the Literature Breadth requirement, but not both of these; (2) Some special topics courses might fulfill the Ethics, Applied Ethics, Religious Studies requirement; (3) Many Religious Studies courses work in particular Pathways, as well as fulfilling the Ethics, Applied Ethics, Religious Studies breadth requirement. See the Pathway course lists on the Marist Core website for more information. 

Ethics, Applied Ethics, Religious Studies PDF

The study of fine arts is the study of cultural and personal expression. It is through such media as painting, theatre, sculpture, architecture, creative writing, film, dance, photography, and music that artists have expressed emotion and spirituality, as well as confronted and commented upon social and political issues. Courses in the fine arts study the creation, history, or analysis of an artistic form and in doing so encourage students to investigate the aesthetic dimension of their environment. Through the study of fine arts, students develop the critical skills, vocabulary, and creativity necessary to analyze and operate within this environment, and assess the important concerns that artists have always addressed in society.

Please note: (1) Some, but not all, courses focused on student artistic production/performance count toward the Fine Arts Breadth requirement. You should carefully consult the list below to determine whether or not a course fulfills this requirement. (2) Some special-topics courses might fulfill this requirement. (3) Some of the courses listed below might work in particular Pathways, as well as fulfilling the Fine Arts requirement. 

Fine Arts Breadth PDF

The study of history is fundamentally concerned with understanding how and why societies change over time. The historical method encourages the development of a sense of context, perspective and coherence, while also identifying complexity and ambiguity. The discipline provides a framework for understanding the human condition, and it exposes students to different values and societies. Core history courses emphasize the diversity of interpretations in the study of the discipline.

Please note: (1) A cross-listed course can only satisfy ONE Breadth requirement within the Core. For example, HIST 217 Catholics in the U.S. can fulfill the History or the Social Science or the Ethics & Justice Breadth requirement, but not all three at once; (2) Some specialtopics courses might fulfill the History Breadth requirement; (3) Many history courses work in particular Pathways, as well as fulfilling this Breadth requirement. See the Pathway course lists on the Marist Core website for more information.

History Breadth PDF

Literature acquaints us with those images, symbols, and stories that are of enduring value for a particular culture. Core courses in literature seek to enhance students’ abilities to derive pleasure and significance from literary work. These courses also orient students to the properties and conventions of literary language so that they may participate more fully in the ongoing creation of meanings and values within their culture. Attention to literature enhances students’ interpretive and analytical skills, as well as their ability to make evaluative judgments.

Please note: (1) Not all courses offered by the English Department fulfill the Literature Breadth requirement. Writing and theatre workshops do not fulfill this requirement. Also, if you are not an English major but are interested in taking a 300-level English course for Core credit, you may request permission to do so from the faculty member teaching the course; (2) Some special-topics courses might fulfill the Literature Breadth requirement; (3) Many literature courses work in particular Pathways, as well as fulfilling this Breadth requirement. See the Pathway course lists on the Marist Core website for more information.

Literature Breadth PDF

Using generalization, abstraction, and deduction, mathematicians create models of all types of physical and social phenomena. For that reason, mathematics is the language used to express concepts and to facilitate analysis in the natural and social sciences. The study of mathematics promotes critical thinking, quantitative analysis, and deductive reasoning, essential skills in an ever-changing world.

Please note that (1) MATH 108 Intermediate Algebra and MATH 180N Mathematical Concepts for Elementary School Teachers do not fulfill the mathematics Breadth requirement; (2) Many Mathematics courses work in particular Pathways as well as fulfilling the Mathematics Breadth requirement. See the Pathway course lists on the Marist Core website for more information.

Mathematics Breadth PDF

We all exist in a physical world. The discoveries of scientists constantly change our understanding of the universe, while on a more personal level, these discoveries constantly alter the way we live. In order to be a well-educated individual and in order to make responsible decisions, one must have a basic understanding of how scientists ask and answer questions, and how scientific theories are formed and modified. While focusing on a specific subject area, classes in the Natural Sciences will address some of the following questions:

• How do scientists make decisions?
• What is a scientific theory and why do theories change?
• What does it mean when the media uses the phrase “according to scientists?”
• What is the relationship between scientific information and ethical decision-making?

To answer these questions, one must gather information and engage in analytical thinking and problem-solving. Then, in order to have conversations with other scientists and the broader community, one must be able to effectively communicate the conclusions derived from this process. Thus, while gaining an understanding of a specific field, the students in Natural Science classes will develop their science literacy while practicing the basic academic skills of gathering information, analyzing information, and communicating.

Please note that many courses work in particular Pathways as well as fulfilling the Natural Science Breadth requirement. See the Pathway course lists on the Marist Core website for more information.

Natural Science Breadth PDF

All students at the College take PHIL 101 Philosophical Perspectives, typically in their freshman or sophomore year.

The social and behavioral sciences bring particular perspectives and broad and diverse bodies of knowledge and use a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods to understand the nature and functioning of human beings and the varied social systems in which they operate. Courses in the social and behavioral sciences inform the student of what is known about the human condition and encourage questions about that knowledge. They explore questions about individual development, the multiple cultures that form society, specific institutions that organize social interactions (such as the economic and political systems) the family, education and religious systems. Please note that many courses work in particular Pathways, as well as fulfilling the Social Science Breadth requirement. See the Marist Core website for additional information.

Social Science Breadth PDF

The Distribution section of the Marist Core requires that you, 1)  Complete a total of 36 Distribution credits, 2)  Complete one course in each of 8 Breadth areas (Fine Arts, Natural Science, etc.), 3)  Complete a 4-course interdisciplinary Pathway; Distribution Overflow courses are extra Breadth courses that help you reach the 36-credit Distribution threshold.

Click here for a detailed explanation on the Distribution Overflow