Inquiry Pathways
Explore Your Passions. Find Your Path.
To solve complex problems, we need complex thinking. CSU's Inquiry Pathways help you develop that complex thinking by offering the opportunity to explore contemporary issues and enduring questions from a variety of perspectives and with a variety of methods. In completing three courses in the same pathway, you will have gained a well-rounded understanding of the issue and a variety of tools and techniques to engage with them.
All CSU students may complete one or more pathways by completing three courses within that pathway. Some courses fit into multiple pathways, and so can count toward the completion of both. You are encouraged to work with your advisor to identify pathways of interest to you and design your core curricular experience.
What path will you take?
How can we achieve a more just world? How do social and legal structures impact different groups differently? How do systematic inequalities persist, and how can we dismantle them? How is power and privilege distributed across a society? Can we achieve real social equality while respecting individual liberty? What does a more inclusive, equitable society look like and how can we help create it? These are the questions that motivate the Justice & Society Pathway. As you complete courses across the university, you’ll investigate the meaning and demands of individual liberty, racial equity, gender rights, economic disparities, environmental justice, and more. You’ll develop your critical thinking, cultural understanding, and empathy all in the service of analyzing complex social issues and developing effective strategies for advocating for change. The Justice & Society Pathway is a transformative experience. Whether you aspire to be a policy maker, activist, or simply a more informed global citizen, the courses in this pathway will empower you to make a meaningful impact in your community and beyond.
Pathway Courses
Complete any of the three courses below to earn a Deep Inquiry Badge in Justice & Society.
| Course | Core Curriculum Requirement |
|---|---|
| ANT 210 Introduction to Native American Studies | Human Culture & Creativity |
| AST 208 Womanism/Black Feminism | African-American History & Culture |
| COM 232 Interracial Communication | African-American History & Culture |
| COM 248 Intercultural Communication | Diversity in Society |
| CRM 201 The Criminal (In?)Justice System | Society & Human Behavior |
| EDB 242 Education and Social Change | Diversity in Society |
| ENG 204 Global Ways of Being | Global Human Perspectives |
| INQ 110 What is a Happy Life? | Inquiry Launch |
| INQ 132 College Life 101 | Inquiry Launch |
| PHL 111 Meaning and Happiness | Human Culture & Creativity |
| PHL 114 The Problem of Suffering | Global Human Perspectives |
| PHL 115 Selfhood, Freedom & Diversity | Diversity in Society |
| PHL 133 What Do We Owe Nature? | Human Culture & Creativity |
| PHL 215 Technology Ethics | Human Culture & Creativity |
| PHL 216 AI & Data Ethics | Human Culture & Creativity |
| PHL 240 Healthcare Ethics | Human Culture & Creativity |
| UST 200 Cleveland: The City | Society & Human Behavior |
| UST 207 Ohio Government | Society & Human Behavior |
| UST 289 Planet Earth: A User's Guide | Scientific Inquiry |
| WGS 151 Introduction to Womens and Gender Studies | Diversity in Society |
Are you passionate about the environment and eager to make a real impact? Are you curious about the interdependence of human systems (such as economies and cities) and the environment? The Environmental Sustainability pathway is designed to provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand and address pressing environmental challenges. This pathway will explore the interdependence between humans and natural resources, the science of environmental change, public policies for environmental sustainability, the practice of conservation and green design, and our ethical responsibilities to the environment.
Pathway Courses
Complete any of the three courses below to earn a Deep Inquiry Badge in Environmental Sustainability.
| Course | Core Curriculum Requirement |
|---|---|
| ANT 101 Human Biocultural Evolution | Scientific Inquiry |
| CHM 151 Chemistry Around Us | Scientific Inquiry |
| ENG 107 College Writing II - Environmental Sustainability | Research & Professional Writing |
| EVS 206 Introduction to Environmental Science | Scientific Inquiry |
| PHL 133 What do we owe nature? | Human Culture & Creativity |
| UST 232 Belonging in the City | Diversity in Society |
| UST 259 Eco-Exploring Cleveland | Scientific Inquiry |
| UST 289 Planet Earth: A User's Guide | Scientific Inquiry |
Might you be the next Transformative Leader to help shape our Cleveland communities? What even is a “Transformative Leader” and what skills set them apart from others? Embark on the Transformative Leadership Pathway to find out! This pathway is designed to integrate leadership competencies into your undergraduate experience, regardless of your major. In this pathway, you’ll be immersed in experiential learning opportunities, providing a hands-on approach to acquiring skills, knowledge, and insights by tackling real-world challenges in a controlled environment. This will include experiential activities such as simulations, case studies, and role-playing activities aimed at developing your problem-solving skills and adaptability, building trust through effective collaboration techniques, and improving your ability to effectively communicate. Completing the Transformative Leadership Pathway will prepare you to handle unexpected situations in the future, help you to engage with diverse perspectives and navigate interpersonal dynamics, and improve your emotional intelligence by practicing empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution – all key elements of effective leadership!
Pathway Courses
Complete any of the three courses below to earn a Deep Inquiry Badge in Transformative Leadership.
| Course | Core Curriculum Requirement |
|---|---|
| AST 208 Womanism/Black Feminism | African-American History & Culture |
| HON 101 Collaboration, Humanities, Leadership | Inquiry Launch |
| INQ 110 What is a Happy Life? | Inquiry Launch |
| PHL 111 Meaning and Happiness | Human Culture & Creativity |
| PHL 114 The Problem of Suffering | Global Human Perspectives |
| PHL 115 Selfhood, Freedom & Diversity | Diversity in Society |
| PHL 133 What Do We Owe Nature? | Human Culture & Creativity |
| PHL 215 Technology Ethics | Human Culture & Creativity |
| PHL 216 AI & Data Ethics | Human Culture & Creativity |
| PHL 240 Healthcare Ethics | Human Culture & Creativity |
| SOC 250 Diversity & Sport | Diversity in Society |
| UST 201 Building Cleveland: Architecture, Planning, and Society | Human Culture & Creativity |
| UST 205 Public Service Careers | Society & Human Behavior |
| UST 206 Global Cities | Global Human Perspectives |
| WLC 204 World Literature | Global Human Perspectives |
How do we create a “healthy future”? In this pathway we will investigate what it means to build healthy lives individually and collectively. This involves exploring questions such as “What is health?,” “How does our lived environment affect our health?,” and “How do we protect and promote community health for all?” Ensuring a healthy future also requires thinking about a wide range of topics such as how the foods & substances we consume affect our health, how the pollutants & chemicals we’re exposed to diminish our health, and why health disparities continue to persist between different communities. This pathway is designed to increase awareness of the myriad issues that impact human health, and to prepare students with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate these issues in bringing about heathy futures for all.
Pathway Courses
Complete any of the three courses below to earn a Deep Inquiry Badge in Healthy Futures.
| Course | Core Curriculum Requirement |
|---|---|
| BIO 106 Human Biology in Health and Disease | Scientific Inquiry |
| BIO 266 Human Anatomy & Physiology I | Scientific Inquiry |
| BIO 268 Human Anatomy & Physiology II | Scientific Inquiry |
| CHM 151 Chemistry Around Us | Scientific Inquiry |
| EDB 202 The Inquisitive Mind of the Learner | Society & Human Behavior |
| HED 10 Healthy Lifestyle Choices | Inquiry Launch |
| HSC 180 Introduction to Gerontology | Society & Human Behavior |
| HSC 205 Social and Cultural Determinants of Health | Diversity in Society |
| INQ 110 What is a Happy Life? | Inquiry Launch |
| PHL 111 Meaning and Happiness | Human Culture & Creativity |
| PHL 114 The Problem of Suffering | Global Human Perspectives |
| PHL 115 Selfhood, Freedom & Diversity | Diversity in Society |
| PHL 133 What Do We Owe Nature? | Human Culture & Creativity |
| PHL 240 Healthcare Ethics | Human Culture & Creativity |
Technology is now an inescapable component of our lives. Just as the invention of the plow revolutionized how we produce food and organize society, artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies are now reshaping society. This pathway explores the interconnectedness of technological innovation, humanity, and society. You will explore the profound ways that technology not only reflects but also shapes societal values, habits, and institutions. Courses in this pathway may address questions such as: What is the future of work, education, writing, and/or art in the age of AI? What is the future of play and relationships? What is the future of privacy? What is the future of life in a hyper-technological world? How should we be thinking about social media and smartphones? Should we use technology to enhance ourselves, the environment, and/or society? What criteria should we use to decide upon guidelines, guardrails, and guideposts to better manage technology in our lives? What is the relationship between humanity and technology?
Pathway Courses
Complete any of the three courses below to earn a Deep Inquiry Badge in Technology & the Future of Society.
| Course | Core Curriculum Requirement |
|---|---|
| ENG 108 College Writing II - AI & Writing | Research & Professional Writing |
| INQ 131 What is Computer Science? | Inquiry Launch |
| INQ 170 Engineering Launch | Inquiry Launch |
| PHL 215 Technology Ethics | Human Culture & Creativity |
| PHL 216 AI & Data Ethics | Human Culture & Creativity |
| PHL 220 Sci-fi, Tech, and Human Nature | Human Culture & Creativity |