Open Curriculum and Core Curriculum are two types of Liberal Arts education. Here is a brief explanation of each:

  • Open Curriculum: In this type of curriculum, students have the freedom to choose their courses without being restricted by specific requirements in their major. They can take classes from various disciplines based on their interests and preferences. For example, universities like Brown and Amherst follow an open curriculum approach.

  • Core Curriculum: In contrast, the core curriculum focuses on providing students with a well-rounded education by requiring them to take specific mandatory courses in addition to their major. These courses are designed to develop a broad range of knowledge and skills. The core curriculum does not limit students to a specific field of study, but rather emphasizes the importance of a strong foundation in general education.