Goal 4

Dialogues of Learning core curriculum

Lynn’s core curriculum — called the Dialogues — is nationally known and recognized. It restructures the traditional college curriculum to increase students’ exposure to classic liberal arts material throughout their learning experience and instill a common set of knowledge across all majors.

The core curriculum is taught through 12 courses centered on three themes: Self and Society, Justice and Civic Life, and Belief and Reason. In addition to liberal arts knowledge, the Dialogues core curriculum also focuses on skills and knowledge areas essential to the success of the 21^st century student through the Quantitative Reasoning and Scientific Literacy courses.

As part of the core curriculum, students also participate in the Citizenship Project. This initiative is a mandatory course focused on civic engagement that allows students to explore the UN SDGs and engage with community partners along the way.

Additionally, students in the mandatory core course DJC 200 explore the UN SDGs through research-based learning projects and through another institutional initiative known as the Impact Series, which was crafted specifically for students to experience a deep dive into issues of justice and sustainability.

By crafting a core curriculum that revolves around dialogue of pressing and important social issues, Lynn University directly furthers target 4.7 of SDG 4, which calls for ensuring that learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development by fostering global citizenship and an appreciation of cultural diversity.

Dialogues Speaker Series

The Dialogues Speaker Series is a non-partisan series that welcomes public figures who are committed to solving pertinent issues in our community. All events are open to the general public, students, faculty, and staff. In AY 23–24, the series welcomed:

• The Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP) Supreme Court Director Kelsi Brown Corkran 

• Animal rescue advocate and founder of The Asher House Lee Asher

• Violinist and human rights advocate Mariela Shaker

Events for this series that are recorded are made publicly available through the university’s institutional repository, SPIRAL.

Accelerated Degree Scholars Program

Lynn University’s Accelerated Degree Scholars Program provides a pathway for high-achieving students to complete their 120-credit undergraduate degrees in three years. After demonstrating academic excellence in their first year, participating students can take additional classes during the subsequent summer, fall, and spring terms at no additional tuition cost.

The program has specific requirements for continued participation and offers support to the students who enroll, including faculty mentors and access to relevant student organizations, such as Lynn Scholars Support.

Community Outreach Programs

In AY 22–23, Lynn University kicked off its Community Knights initiative. This program is an effort to take the knowledge and expertise of Lynn’s faculty and staff into community settings with the goal of expanding educational opportunities for community members. Through community outreach, Lynn University faculty spoke at high schools, middle schools, libraries, community town halls, and more during AY 23–24.