Common Curriculum

CU Boulder’s Common Curriculum is a framework of outcomes integrated across the curriculum designed to teach students three habits of mind—Discovery, Reflection, and Engagement—and develop students’ skills in the areas of Communication, Information Literacy, and Critical Thinking. The culminating focus of CU Boulder’s Common Curriculum is Sustainability, ensuring that graduates gain experience applying sustainable practices, promoting sustainable communities, acting as stewards for sustainable futures, and fostering individual well-being, social equity, long-term economic vitality, and the health of the natural environment. CU Boulder delivers the Common Curriculum throughout students’ education in school and college distribution requirements for graduation, in major programs, and during a first-year experience in a Residential Learning Community. The Common Curriculum is scheduled to roll out in fall 2027 and will apply to all new students, including first-year and transfer students.

This site will keep the CU Boulder community up to date on the progress of the discussion, design and implementation of the Common Curriculum. For questions or feedback, please contact us at commoncurriculum@colorado.edu.

Sustainable Futures: Self, Society, World

Learning Objective

At CU Boulder, students will gain an understanding of the interdependence of individual, societal and environmental wellbeing and of the necessity for stewardship to advance balanced and equitable futures for all. Throughout their CU Boulder education, students will cultivate skills and habits of mind that enable them to thrive as individuals and contribute to a thriving world.

Learning Outcomes

Discern their role in advancing resilient communities and demonstrate the ability to act as stewards for sustainable futures.
Explain different discipline-specific definitions of and approaches to sustainable practices.
Explain how sustainable solutions may be achieved through collaboration among different disciplines.
Articulate how specific actions foster individual well-being, social equity, long-term economic vitality, and the health of the natural environment.

Habits of Mind

Discovery

Preparing to Be a Lifelong Thinker and Problem-Solver

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Reflection

Preparing to Engage in Self-Understanding, Sustain Personal Well-Being, and Make Ethical Choices

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Engagement

Preparing to Advance a Diverse Democracy

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Skills

Project Members

Executive Sponsor

Ann Stevens, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs

Sponsor

Katherine Eggert, vice chancellor and senior vice provost for academic planning and assessment
Erika Randall, interim dean and vice provost of undergraduate education