This paper describes a new core curriculum at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), a state supported black liberal arts college which emphasizes leadership and community service. The new core, "Critical Foundations in the Arts and Sciences" (CFAS), provides more interdisciplinary courses, and facilitates subsequent interdisciplinary study by being brief enough to allow the completion of two majors. The basic goals of the CFAS program are: (1) provide sufficient breadth of knowledge relating to the human experience to facilitate effective functioning in this global information society; (2) provide opportunities for students to develop skills necessary to succeed in academic, professional, and social environments and to facilitate life-long learning; (3) provide the basic skill and knowledge necessary to acquire and process information using traditional and electronic media; and (4) provide specific cultural exposure for NCCU students. The CFAS program delivers the course material more efficiently, so that the total hours required is fewer than that of the traditional core. This facilitates and encourages double majors. Two dual degree programs are described: computer science and mathematics, and computer science and physics. Reading assignments in the math classes motivate students by covering short biographies on the lives of black mathematicians, scientists, and engineers. Achieving accreditation for the computer science degree program is also discussed. (Contains 11 references.) (SWC)