The strength of Habib's Liberal Core is built on its seven Forms of Thought and Action. These seven Forms of Thought, which were inspired by Stanford University's Breadth Governance model, but adapted to our own unique regional context, include: historical and social thought, philosophical thought, rhetoric and expression, formal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, scientific method and analysis and creative practice. All students are required to take a determined minimum number of courses under each form of thought and action.
The study of philosophy has traditionally been at the heart of all Liberal Core curricula. Philosophical thought serves to enhance the reflective powers of the student, which is essential to concept-generation and innovation in all fields. Furthermore, an understanding of the philosophical depth of a tradition is crucial to a shared sense of inheritance. Habib faculty also widely share an interest in philosophy/theory. All students will be required to take a minimum of two courses in Philosophical Thought.
Historical & Social Thought (2 courses)
The extraordinary significance of historical and social knowledge in modern times arises from the unprecedented pace of change in modernity, as well as the growing complexity of modern societies. Across the disciplines, Habib University's faculty also demonstrate a remarkably coherent historical approach to both social scientific and humanistic knowledge. All students will be required to take a minimum of two courses in Historical & Social Thought.
Language & Expression (2 courses)
The development of linguistic and expressive abilities is widely recognised to be a key benefit of a Liberal Arts education, and language and literature have traditionally been as central to liberal core curricula as philosophy. Communicative power is one key to achieving success in all fields and disciplines. All students will be required to take a minimum of two courses under this rubric.
Formal Reasoning (1 course)
Deductive thinking is crucial across fields and disciplines in both Science and Engineering, as well as in Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, and a deductive reasoning requirement is standard in higher and liberal education. Such a requirement also reflects the strength of our Science and Engineering faculty at Habib University. All students will be required to take a minimum of one course in Formal Reasoning.
Quantitative Reasoning (1 course)
Numbers and quantities are an essential part of modern civilization and its forms of knowledge. Quantitative reasoning is the ability to interpret and contextualize large amounts of data, and it is an essential skill in virtually all professions. All students will be required to take a minimum of one course in Quantitative Reasoning.
Natural Scientific Method & Analysis (1 course)
The development of scientific method and analysis is a fundamental feature of modernity and its forms of knowledge. A natural science requirement is standard in higher educational and liberal institutions. To ensure the scientific literacy of all our graduates, students will be required to take a minimum of one course in Natural Scientific Method & Analysis.
Creative Practice (1 course)
Creativity is increasingly recognised as an important indicator of success, and it is often a required feature of the best higher educational curricula. Given the nature of our programs and faculty in both AHSS and SSE, we have an excellent opportunity to make creative practice a distinctive feature of the Habib experience. All students will be required to take at least one course under this rubric.