Columba Cornerstone
The Columba Cornerstone course welcomes students to the exciting pursuit of knowledge and immerses them in the central work of the University: learning.
This 3-credit first-year seminar is your gateway to inquiry and engagement. It is the foundation of the Core Curriculum and is taken by all Iona University undergraduate students in the first semester.
Named for Saint Columba (521-597 CE), an early medieval monk who founded a center of learning, culture and spirituality on the Isle of Iona off the west coast of Scotland, the Columba Cornerstone introduces you to time-honored questions in the liberal arts.
Through the Columba Cornerstone, you will explore topics that are critical to our times, including diversity and sustainability in a digitally and globally connected world, and you will use your learning experience to consider new, cutting-edge approaches to traditional problems.
Columba Cornerstone Components
Your Columba Cornerstone course will be linked with another core curriculum course or introductory course to create a learning community that will give you different perspectives on the topics studied in your learning community courses.
All sections within the particular Cornerstone theme share a common text, allowing you to collaborate with students in other sections.
You will be working closely with your faculty and fellow students and building lasting communities and friendships. You will also have opportunities to learn about the many services and departments that are available to support your learning experience!
Your Columba Cornerstone course will provide instruction on four topics, which have been designed to help you build a foundation of essential learning and enhance your Iona experience.
These topics include:
- The Iona Story
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Information and Digital Literacy
- Critical Thinking
Structured to deepen your critical thinking skills, the Cornerstone course emphasizes reading, writing, speaking and collaboration.
Your Cornerstone course integrates classroom and experiential learning. You will be required to engage in a minimum of two co-curricular activities, such as:
- Attending an Iona Theatre Program production or viewing a Chapman Gallery exhibit
- Participating in service activities with Mission & Ministry
- Attending a Week of the Peacemaker or Heritage Week event
- Participating in R-U-OK? trainings sponsored by the Counseling Center
- Attending a Careers in Science Lecture
- Participating in a Hynes Center competition
