An ACU education is about your growth as a whole person - because you are more than your degree.
Our Core Curriculum lies at the heart of this transformation. It's a vital part of every ACU student's education, offering space to reflect on what it is to be human, the nature of our shared social life and the ways we can make a meaningful impact on the world.
As a Catholic university, ACU is committed to both preparing you for your future career, as well as a holistic education that invests in you as a person, beyond your profession.
While all ACU courses draw on aspects of the Catholic tradition of thought in different ways, Core Curriculum units give you an opportunity to dive a bit deeper. In different ways, each of these units draw you into thinking about how we got to this present moment of history, how to think about some of the great challenges of the present time, about what is most precious in life, and how to live well in community with others.
Core Curriculum units aim to complement and enrich your vocational/ career studies, challenging you to broaden and deepen your thinking by investigating fields that are somewhat larger than the main focus of your course. Yet they also aim to assist you to gain valuable personal and professional development (including creative thinking, problem solving, teamwork and communication skills) that are highly relevant to your future life and career.
The Core Curriculum coursework units include options to think about your place in the world more generally through elements of philosophy, theology, history, ethics, social justice, art, and ideas – ancient and modern – that are all intensely relevant in this present moment.
As part of your course of study at ACU, your Core Curriculum studies seek to prepare you, in important ways, for the opportunities and challenges of the future.
Did you know you can take Core Curriculum units as part of a study abroad experience? Explore more about taking a Core Curriculum unit overseas at either our magnificent campus in Rome, Italy, or in a range of other exciting locations across North America, Europe, and Asia.
The Core Curriculum is comprised of three units:
These units are fully integrating within your course of study.
Coursework units: These units are typically delivered through a blend of online activities and on-campus classes, enabling you to collaborate with students from other disciplines, ensuring different viewpoints and lively debate. You can choose which coursework units you wish to study from a range of options below. See the course map in your Course Enrolment Guide for details on when you enrol in your Core Curriculum units.
Community engagement unit: This provides you with a valuable opportunity to participate in partnership with a local community. Each faculty at ACU has its own community engagement programs. For details, see your course Enrolment Guide, and check with your course adviser if you have any questions.
Explore Core Curriculum unit availability in 2027
International Core Curriculum 2027 offerings are available on the Student Portal
What does it really mean to be human?
Explore big questions about freedom, intelligence, gender, disability, life’s meaning and death. You’ll learn from the ideas of great thinkers, reflect on your own views, and engage with others to build new perspectives that will guide you on your journey.
This unit has no prerequisites and is worth 10 credit points.
How do we decide what’s right and wrong and what makes a good life?
Explore big ethical questions around moral goodness, freedom, responsibility and conscience, while tackling real-world issues involving business ethics, environmental ethics, bioethics and the ethics of war. Reflect on your own assumptions, engage with diverse perspectives and develop the skills to navigate complex moral challenges.
This unit has no prerequisites and is worth 10 credit points.
How can you tell truth from lies in a world overflowing with information?
Learn practical skills from history to help you make smarter decisions – especially in today’s world of social media and AI. You’ll practice thinking critically, spotting misinformation and sharing your ideas with confidence.
This unit has no prerequisites and is worth 10 credit points.
Who am I and what really matters in life?
Explore big questions about life - around identity, belonging, love, suffering and meaning and how these questions have been explored through art, theology and philosophy. Reflect on how these questions shape your personal journey and can transform your professional future.
This unit has no prerequisites and is worth 10 credit points.
How have Christian values shaped the world we live in today?
Explore Christian ideals such as love, justice, hope and dignity and explore how these have made a difference historically and have shaped our society.
This unit has no prerequisites and is worth 10 credit points.
What does it really mean to care for others and why does it matter?
Explore core principles of Catholic social thought – human dignity, the common good and social justice – and how they connect to real-world issues like fair work, migration, war and reconciliation. Develop the skills to think critically about ethical challenges and make a positive difference in your life and career. Learn to lead with justice and compassion.
This unit has no prerequisites and is worth 10 credit points.
Curious about how science shapes our world and why it matters?
Explore the origins of modern science, uncover what gives scientific claims their authority and critically examine the role of science today – from breakthroughs to conspiracy theories. Gain the skills to think deeply about science’s power and impact. Join us to challenge assumptions and shape informed perspectives.
This unit has no prerequisites and is worth 10 credit points.
Want to make a real impact on our planet’s future?
Dive into the science behind ecological challenges and climate change, explore the concept of ‘integral ecology,’ and equip yourself to act justly in defence of all living beings. Learn how your choices and values can make a difference.
This unit has no prerequisites and is worth 10 credit points.
Why do humans resort to violence and how can we build lasting peace?
Explore theories behind human conflict, analyse historical and contemporary case studies and learn from inspiring figures like Gandhi and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Gain the insight and skills to advocate for peace in your communities and beyond.
This unit has no prerequisites and is worth 10 credit points.
Ready to make a difference?
Tackle global injustices from healthcare access and inequality to fair work using the Catholic social thought framework. Gain practical skills to analyse complex challenges and become a voice for change in your chosen career. Join us and start shaping a more just world.
This unit has no prerequisites and is worth 10 credit points.
Explore the rich spiritual heritage of Australia and the dialogue between Indigenous traditions and Catholic thought.
Learn how these belief and spiritual systems engage in dialogue and reconciliation. Build your knowledge and gain critical skills to apply these insights to contemporary life.
This unit has no prerequisites and is worth 10 credit points.
* If you've already completed two Core Curriculum units (a 100-level unit and a 300-level unit), you don't need to complete any of the new ones.
* If you've completed UNCC100 or PHCC102 but not yet completed UNCC300 or PHCC320, you can choose one available unit from the new 200-level Core Curriculum to meet your requirement. These 200-level units count as equivalent to UNCC300 or PHCC320 under the updated curriculum (unless otherwise advised by your course adviser).
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