Non-Study Abroad Semester - FallUp to 17.5 Credits

• American University Experience - AUx*(1.5 cr.)
  • AUx – American University Experience is a two-part course sequence: part 1 is during the fall semester and part 2 is during the following fall semester.
• CORE 107 Complex Problems Seminar (3 cr.)
  • This required seminar for all students during their first year at American University demonstrates the value of approaching important conceptual problems and social issues from a variety of perspectives, often from multiple disciplines and including multiple voices.
    Course counts as an AU Core requirement.
• WRT 100 College Writing (3 cr.) or WRT 106 (3 cr.) if received AP credit
  • Develop the essential writing skills for your academic career. 
    Course counts toward the Written Communication and Information Literacy I requirement.
• Math (3 cr.)
• Major requirement (3 cr.)
• Elective (3 cr.)

Study Abroad Semester - Spring15 Credits

• WRTG 101 - College Writing Seminar (3 cr) - For those students who need to take this requirement
• SISA 113- The Anatomy of Contemporary Britain (3 cr)- Fulfills Socio-Historical Inquiry Habits of Mind requirement
• 3 Wroxton electives (9 cr)

The College offers a large number of courses in literature, history, political science, fine arts, core, and sociology. Wroxton electives and their AU equivalents are:

• PHYS 220- Astronomy: An Introduction to Celestial Science
• SISA 213- Britain and Global Issues (200 level Europe and Eurasia Regional Credit)
• HIST 2XX- Britain in the Modern Era
• GOVT 334- British Government and Politics
• LIT 107X- Creative Writing
• IBUS 300X- Fundamentals of International Business
• KSB 2XX – Professional Communication
• LIT 232X- Shakespeare: ‘to hold the mirror up to nature’
• SOCY 3XX- Social Policy in Contemporary Britain
• PSYC 205- Social Psychology: The Psychology of Everyday Persuasion
• SOCY 3XX- Women and Race in Modern Britain
• ARTH 3XX- The Development of British Painting

Enrollment will be based on available seats. Students will submit their course selections ranked in order of preference. 

In the fall, all Cornerstone students join AU's largest living-learning community, University College (UC). In this program, students enroll in a complex problems seminar which satisfies an AU Core requirement.

Live

Students live together in first-year residence halls. Each floor has a theme inspired by a group of UC courses, which in turn inspires community events throughout the semester.

University College housing is mandatory for first year students in the Cornerstone program. 

Learn

Courses are hand-picked Complex Problems seminars from the AU Core curriculum. The seminars create an environment for collaboration and communication across the classes.

Living in Wroxton:

In the spring, students will live abroad in Wroxton. At Wroxton you will encounter the quintessential English village scene. Set in the rural heart of England, Wroxton offers a peaceful environment for learning amid beautiful countryside of lawns, lakes, gardens and woodland. The College continues to meet its founding vision of an intellectual community, cloistered in an idyllic setting. Housed in a remarkably beautiful, modernized 17th-century manor house, to Henry James, Wroxton was part of the essence of England.

However, the quiet country setting belies a close proximity to leading cultural and entertainment centers that provide an important dimension of the program. The bustling market town of Banbury is only a ten minute drive away and Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford, London and Birmingham are all close by and easily accessible, an outstanding selection of theaters, concert halls, museums, galleries, restaurants and major shopping areas are at hand.

Housing and Meals:

AU students are housed on campus which overlooks the beautiful grounds of the estate. The Abbey retains its 17th century charm but has been completely modernized. There’s even a gym at the disposal of students. All meals are included while on campus. Breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner are served buffet-style in the dining hall. Suggestions are welcome and students should not be surprised to find their requests for a particular dish on the college’s menu the following week!