The Mission of Intellectual Foundations
The Intellectual Foundations Program at Buffalo State College promotes an understanding of the continuity of human history, the depth of inherited knowledge, the validity of diverse modes of inquiry, the value of artistic expression and the richness of our collective experience. The purpose of the Intellectual Foundations Program is to develop the skills and habits of the mind required for a life of intellectual curiosity and civic engagement.
The Intellectual Foundations Program
You will begin building your Intellectual Foundations with Foundations of Inquiry (BSC 101), a course on critical thinking and research skills as applied to interdisciplinary topics in the Liberal Arts, and College Writing I & II (ENG 101 & 102).
The word "cognate" means 'similar in nature' or 'having common origins.' The Cognate Foundations include disciplines in the Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and their cognate disciplines. The Foundations of Civilizations include American History, Western Civilization and Non-Western Civilization.
You will explore in depth, important issues facing every community and workplace today through Diversity and Technology & Society courses. You will further develop capacity for success through the Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning, Foreign Language, and Writing Across the Curriculum ("writing-intensive") courses.
See the I.F. Program Structure for more details.
Who Must Complete the Intellectual Foundations Program?
- Undergraduate students entering Buffalo State, who begin college as freshmen (anywhere) on or after Fall 2006, must complete the Intellectual Foundations Program.
- Students who entered any college prior to Fall 2006 may not elect the Intellectual Foundations Program.
- Students readmitted to Buffalo State after a two year or more absence will be placed in the Intellectual Foundations Program, but may opt for other General Education programs.
