Foundation Course and Capstone Seminar

Foundation Courses and Capstone Seminar

The three foundation courses and the capstone seminar provide Mount Aloysius College students with opportunities to experience interdisciplinary instruction, familiarize themselves with the College and our Mercy values, improve their critical thinking and writing skills, and explore and reflect upon the implicit and explicit values of self and the contemporary world.

Connections I (LA 101) is a 1-credit course designed and required for all new and first-year students. The purpose of this course is to integrate new students into the community of thinkers and learners. Students are challenged to enhance their intellectual potential, understand their academic and moral responsibilities, appreciate diversity, and develop their critical thinking, learning, and communication skills.

Connections II (LA 201) is a 1-credit course designed and required for all sophomore students. One must successfully complete Connections I to enroll in this course. The purpose of the course is to develop the critical reading, thinking and writing skills of the second-year student. Students who successfully complete this course will improve their reading comprehension, oral communication, and expository writing skills.

Connections III (LA 301) is a 1-credit course designed and required for all junior students seeking a baccalaureate degree. One must successfully complete Connections I and II to enroll in this course. The purpose of the course is to review and strengthen skills in critical reading, the conventions of academic writing, and the formulation of a research question in preparation for the senior capstone experience. Additionally, students will examine the Mercy values in the context of their discipline.

The Capstone Seminar (LA 400) is required for all students seeking a baccalaureate degree. One must successfully complete Connections I, II, and III to enroll in this course. The capstone seminar should be taken in one’s senior year. It provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate the mastery of their discipline and the ability to integrate and synthesize the liberal arts and Mercy values in a research project that includes a 20-page paper.

Together the Mount Aloysius College foundation courses and capstone seminar will foster and develop students’ critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. The interdisciplinary approach in each will enable students to make connections between their liberal arts education, their vocation, Mount Aloysius College, and the Mercy values.