UK Core - University of Kentucky

Dear Students, Parents and Friends,Welcome to the University of Kentucky!This is an exciting time, filled with great expectations. You are here to explore all that theUniversity of Kentucky has to offer from great degree programs taught by world-classprofessors to the richness of our co-curricular experiences, ranging from interesting andintriguing speakers, student clubs and organizations, cultural events and athletics. One newinitiative we are thrilled about for this coming year is the UK Core, our new General EducationProgram. This is the core educational experience for all students at the University of Kentucky.It is the centerpiece of our educational efforts and was designed to offer our students activelearning experiences that will become the foundation of their professional and academiccareers.The UK Core offers courses in ten areas:Intellectual Inquiry in Arts and Creativity are “hands-on” courses which allow students toengage actively with the creative process. Students will define and distinguish differentapproaches to “creativity,” demonstrate the ability to critically analyze work produced by otherstudents, and evaluate results of their own creative endeavors. In general education, a focus oncreativity adds to the vitality and relevance of learning and will translate into graduates who arebetter prepared to face the challenges of a dynamic society.Courses in Intellectual Inquiry in the Humanities develop students’ skills in interpretation andanalysis of creations of the human intellect such as art and literature (including folklore,popular culture, film and digital media), philosophical and religious contemplation andargumentation, language systems, and historical narratives. In these courses, students gain theability not only to analyze the works themselves but to evaluate competing interpretations ofsuch works.Courses in Intellectual Inquiry in the Social Sciences promote an understanding of therelationships between individuals and society and how scholars have come to understand theserelationships using conceptual models and processes of inquiry. Through a discipline-basedstudy of social problems or themes, students will learn to critically evaluate the variety of socialsituations with which they may be confronted in their everyday lives.Courses in Intellectual Inquiry in the Natural, Physical and Mathematical Sciences engagestudents in the fundamental processes of science through the exploration of an area in science.Students will be expected to use their knowledge of scientific concepts to formulatepredictions, collect and analyze data, and construct explanations for the questions posed.