Philosophy of Education

John Carroll's philosophy of education revolves around the Catholic and Jesuit model of educating and challenging the whole person. We strive to educate students of character who wish to use the knowledge that they have obtained to help others and engage the world. This is made possible through service learning and immersion trips through the Center for Community Service and Campus Ministry, and study abroad experiences through the Center for Global Education.

The Core Curriculum - Because great minds don’t think alike
All students at John Carroll complete a rigorous, comprehensive core curriculum that will challenge them to think critically and ask the big questions. Our core curriculum cultivates understanding, a global perspective, and the critical thinking and writing skills you’ll need to be a leader in your career and in your community.  You will be taught how we know what we know in a variety of fields, gaining a sense of yourself and a sense of others.

When you encounter a school with a core curriculum, it means that the faculty has thought about what the institution stands for. At John Carroll, our core is:

• informed by the wisdom of 450 years of Jesuit education;
• interpreted by our faculty;
• individualized to each student.

No two cores are alike. Your path through the core curriculum will be unique to you. There are only a few courses that all students share in common, such as English composition and speech communication. Beyond those, the path through the core is up to you and your interests. It is not a checklist of courses to “get out of the way.”  Rather the core is what sets a John Carroll alum apart. It is a way of knowing yourself and your place in the world. 

One student might choose The Witches of Salem to satisfy a history requirement or Understanding Africa through Film for an art history credit. For Philosophy and Religious Studies, you might choose from topical courses such as: Philosophy And The Body, Ethics In Sports, History Of The Idea Of Evil, and Contemporary Jewish Practice. For more course offerings, click here.

First Year Seminar
John Carroll students also complete our First Year Seminar (FYS). FYS is a powerful, interdisciplinary introduction to academic life and college thinking. This isn't College 101 and learning how to do your laundry. FYS is a unique academic immersion where you chose a themed section based on your interests. An economist or a foreign language professor, a chemistry instructor or an art historian may teach your class. As your professor explores ways to approach the topic, he or she will be modeling how to ask good questions, how to examine an idea, and how to challenge ideas respectfully. In essence, First Year Seminar is an intellectual laboratory where you’ll learn how to engage in college-level discourse and analysis. It sets the stage for a profound academic experience.