Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cornerstone?

LBCC has embarked on a faculty-led project that embraces liberal arts-based seminar teaching pedagogy, the reading of transformative texts, and the inclusion of student-centered questions in general education courses. This work is part of a national effort sponsored by the Teagle Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Why should I take a Cornerstone class?

In today’s professional workforce, success requires strong critical thinking and analytical skills as well as effective written and oral communication abilities. Employers across diverse industries highly value the capacity to think creatively and adapt to rapid changes. Simply relying on traditional technical training is not enough, as technical skills without critical thinking are at risk of becoming obsolete. The ability to think, create, communicate, analyze, solve problems, and adapt is essential throughout one's life. LBCC's Cornerstone classes are specifically designed to cultivate these crucial skills.

How do I identify a Cornerstone class from other classes?

Finding a Cornerstone class in our schedule of classes is easy. Please use this link and type "Cornerstone" in the attributes cell. Do a search and a list of Cornerstone Classes will appear.

You can also view a tutorial video here.

How is a Cornerstone class different?

Cornerstone classes provide you with an opportunity to broaden your understanding of the world and yourself while strengthening your skills to read closely, write clearly, speak with confidence, and contend with differing viewpoints and perspectives. It’s the exact same class but just taught in a different way that focuses more on critical thinking and dialogue.

What is a transformative text?

Transformative texts —whether ancient or modern—are works that have transformed the world and continue to have the power to transform individual lives under the mentorship of faculty. These “texts” can be written, visual, or musical. We recognize the transformative nature of “reading” a work of art or music and the role of these artistic texts in expressing and challenging universal questions. We utilize transformative texts as a tool for developing critical thinking and communication skills.