ACADEMICS

While committed to the same broad goals as the traditional American liberal arts college, Tusculum’s mission distinguishes it as a Civic Arts college.

THE COMMONS CURRICULUM

Introduction

While committed to the same broad goals as the traditional American liberal arts college, Tusculum’s mission distinguishes it as a Civic Arts college. In addition to graduating individuals who have the knowledge and skills necessary for continued learning, an education in the Civic Arts tradition seeks to graduate students who are prepared to participate in the public discourse that is at the heart of any democratic society and to strive for the continuous improvement of their communities and of the emerging global society.

Purpose

The Commons is rooted in the republican tradition of responsible and virtuous citizenship that informs modern pluralistic civil societies and in the Judeo-Christian tradition, with its emphasis on compassion for others and respect for the dignity and worth of all persons.

The Commons is designed

to be an integrated and coherent core curriculum that establishes intellectual common ground through a series of courses and experiences employing both theory and practice;
to incorporate innovative pedagogies that will develop students’ abilities as engaged learners in both the classroom and the community; and
to develop the knowledge, skills, perspectives, and practical wisdom crucial to effective citizenship. Most specifically, Tusculum seeks to graduate individuals who will become engaged in their communities in various ways and who will know how to most effectively achieve the common good and justice in a global context.

Handbooks & Forms

INTERACTIVE VERSIONS OF THE COMMONS HANDBOOKS

Rubrics

The rubrics are listed below in Microsoft Word [.doc] format.

To post rubric scores, go to the Tusculum College Rubric Entry Tool (TCRET) website at:
http://cs.tusculum.edu/TCRubric/index.html