Baylor honored among nation’s most well-rounded curriculums for fifth straight year

Baylor students aren’t the only ones who earn top scores; the university itself has (again) earned an “A” from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni — one of just 23 colleges and universities to do so.

The letter grade is given based on an institution’s core curriculum requirements. In particular, the survey looked for schools that require at least six of seven specific core subjects. At Baylor, that’s:

• Composition. An introductory college writing class focusing on grammar, clarity, argument and appropriate expository style.
• Literature. Comprehensive literature courses of which a clear majority are surveys and the remainder are literary in nature.
• Foreign Language. Competency at the intermediate level, defined as at least three semesters of college-level study in any foreign language.
• U.S. Government or History. A survey course in either U.S. government or history, exposing students to the sweep of American history and institutions.
• Mathematics. A college-level course in mathematics beyond the level of intermediate algebra.
• Natural or Physical Science. A course in astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, physical geography, physics, or environmental science, preferably with a laboratory component.

Earning a degree from Baylor means becoming well-versed in the “Four C’s:” communication (composition, literature and foreign language), critical reasoning (mathematics and natural or physical science), civic leadership (U.S. government or history) and Christian perspective. Such courses support Baylor’s longtime mission: “to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community.”

Sic ’em, Bears!