Core Curriculum Summer Retreat
The Core Curriculum Summer Retreat (CCSR) is a pioneering initiative co-organized by the Foundations Development Directorate at Sabancı University and The Center for the Core Curriculum at Columbia University. This annual retreat brings educators from both institutions together to foster international collaboration, pedagogical innovation, and leadership development within core curriculum programs.
Purpose & Vision
Designed as a unique platform for intellectual exchange, the retreat encourages self-reflection, cross-cultural dialogue, and professional growth among participants. Through workshops, peer discussions, excursions, and guest lectures, faculty members engage in critical conversations on how core curricula can respond to contemporary challenges in higher education and beyond.
Annual Themes: Addressing the Challenges of Our Time
The retreat focuses on a pressing global issue each year, shaping discussions and activities around a central theme. The 2024 theme, "Core Curriculum in an Age of Crises" addressed the impact of political turmoil, economic instability, climate change, and technological disruption on higher education. Participants examined how core curricula can equip students with the critical thinking skills, adaptability, and ethical foundations necessary to navigate these challenges.
CCSR aspires to be a long-term, sustainable effort that strengthens core curriculum programs globally, ensuring that higher education remains responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking. By cultivating an engaged, international community of educators, we aim to inspire innovative teaching approaches that empower students to become informed, responsible global citizens.
Photo Gallery: CCSR 2024
