Buffalo State initiated Intellectual Foundations as its new general education program in fall 2006. The mission of Intellectual Foundations (IF) is to:
“Promote 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.”
Our goal is to transform students through their time at Buffalo State into creators of knowledge. For this, critical thinking skills are crucial. In Intellectual Foundations, students learn these skills through a range of interdisciplinary topics—topics that will excite students and the faculty who will teach them.
Intellectual Foundations faculty play a singular role in shaping the minds of Buffalo State students.
Our curriculum is diverse and well-rounded, thanks to the community of scholars who present it.
Important Note:
Faculty, please refer to the Provost IF Waiver Fact Sheet when advising students who enrolled Fall 2006-spring 2014. Encourage students to explore minors and double majors as students need a minimum of 120 hours to graduate.
The implementation date for the revised program, Intellectual Foundations 2014 (IF14) is fall 2014. IF 2014 applies to summer 2014 and fall 2014 transfer students and newly admitted students
Please contact Amitra A. Wall, assistant dean of Intellectual Foundations and first-year programs, at (716) 878-5906, to learn more about teaching and professional development opportunities.
