Office of Undergraduate Affairs

Core Competencies

The Brandeis Core enables you to focus on learning goals central to your academic and professional success: becoming an effective communicator, researcher and critical thinker. No matter your course of study or professional interests, these bedrock skills will prepare you for a life of learning and mastery.

With the exception of quantitative reasoning, you can fulfill these foundational literacies through courses and/or equivalent experiences within your major.

Quantitative Reasoning

Quantitative Reasoning [QR] courses are offered within a variety of disciplines. Students will learn to collect, summarize, and analyze numerical data; to make abstract concepts operational; and to think critically about the accuracy and soundness of conclusions based on data or on mathematical models.

Fulfilling Quantitative Reasoning Requirements

Oral and Written Communication

Oral Communication

Students fulfill the oral communication requirement through satisfactory completion of any course designated as oral communication [OC]. Oral Communication courses enhance students' ability to speak and listen effectively in a range of contexts. Through these courses, students acquire concrete skills to critically evaluate orally presented information and arguments, and consider specific techniques for using language as a communication tool in various situations, including (but not limited to) oral presentations, interviews, active debate, discussion facilitation, and critique. 

Written Communication

Students fulfill the written communication requirement through satisfactory completion of any course designated as writing intensive [WI]. Writing intensive courses include multiple writing assignments, assessments, and revisions. From individualized writing instruction and critical feedback of their work, students learn to articulate complex thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in a variety of written formats suited to a range of academic and professional audiences.

Fulfilling Communications Requirements

Technologies

Students fulfill the technologies requirement through satisfactory completion of any course designated as digital literacy [DL]. In digital literacy courses, students learn how to identify and apply the appropriate technological tools to discipline-specific tasks. They are asked to evaluate the ethical and societal dimensions of a given technology and the tradeoffs inherent in its use.

Fulfilling Technologies Requirements

Teamwork and Collaboration

In teamwork and collaboration [TWC] courses, students acquire critical listening, conflict management, and consensus building skills through engagement in collaborative experiences. Students learn to identify, respect, and leverage the strengths of all team members, while recognizing the importance of individual accountability in interdependent work.

More Information Coming Soon!

Core Competencies Committee