Core Area Committees

Core Area Committees discuss proposed course designations via email and, when necessary, meet as a group. Faculty seeking a core designation(s) for a course must submit a proposal. Learn more about the process on our Courses page.

USF Core Breadth Policy

Students may receive their only exposure to an area of academic study that is not in their major through the university CORE. Because of this, CORE courses should generally be introductory survey courses that provide an introduction to an academic discipline, or a broad area of an academic discipline, rather than specialized courses that examine a specific area in more depth. The exception to this breadth requirement is First Year Seminars/Transfer Student Seminars. 

USF Core Turf Policy

The expectation is that Core area classes are taught by faculty with training, expertise, and affiliation in the associated disciplines of the Core areas. Exceptions must be approved by appropriate department chair.

Core Assessment

For information on the five-year Core Assessment process, please see our Core Assessment page. 

Members: Fall 2020 - Spring 2021

Area A: Foundations of Communication

  • Chair, Public Speaking Director: Michelle LaVigne
  • Composition Director: Jonathan Hunt
  • Rhetoric and Language: Cathy Gabor
  • SOM: Kimberly Rae Connor

Area B: Math and Sciences

  • Chair, Mathematics: Emille Lawrence
  • Biology: Jennifer Dever
  • Chemistry: William Karney
  • Computer Science: Alark Joshi
  • Environmental Science: John (Jack) Lendvay
  • Kinesiology: Karen Francis & Shannon Siegel
  • Physics: Brandon Brown

Area C: Humanities

  • Chair, History: Taymiya Zaman
  • English: Bruce Snider
  • Modern & Classical Languages: Stephen Roddy

Area D: Philosophy and Theology

  • Chair, Philosophy: Jacqueline Taylor
  • Theology & Religious Studies: Mark Miller
  • SOM: Marco Tavanti

Area E: Social Sciences

  • Chair, Psychology: Lisa Wagner
  • Communication Studies: Brandi Lawless
  • Economics: Michael Jonas & Mario Muzzi
  • Environmental Studies: Stephen Zavestoski
  • International Studies: John Zarobell
  • Media Studies: Inna Arzumanova
  • Politics: Kouslaa Kessler-Mata
  • Sociology: Evelyn Rodriguez
  • Urban Studies: Tanu Sankalia

Area F: Visual and Performing Arts

  • Chair, Art + Architecture: Catherine Lusheck
  • Performing Arts and Social Justice: Megan Nicely