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The Liberal Arts Core Curriculum at Concordia Becoming Responsibly Engaged in the World As an essential part of the liberal arts approach to learning, every candidate for the Bachelor of Arts degree at Concordia is required to take a specific set of courses that comprise the Liberal Arts Curriculum. These courses are designed to provide a solid foundation in written and oral communication skills and to establish a broad background of knowledge through the study of a variety of disciplines. Core courses emphasize the development of analytical and critical thought processes and the ability to recognize and deal constructively with significant problems. Though the Core Curriculum, students develop an appreciation for other peoples and cultures and an ability to respond to change in creative, effective ways. The core curriculum's explicit goal is to prepare our students to be responsibly engaged in the world.
The Core Curriculum consists of 13.5 courses arranged in the following major groups. FOUNDATION COURSES: 4.5 courses/4.5 courses credit EXPLORATION COURSES: 8 courses/Course credit PERSPECTIVES COURSES: 2 courses/0 courses credit CAPSTONE COURSE: 1 course/1course credit
FOUNDATION COURSES
EXPLORATION COURSES These courses constitute the heart of the Concordia Core Curriculum. They are designed to provide students with the breadth of knowledge and experience that characterize the well educated liberal arts student. They are also designed to assure that Concordia students are prepared to responsibly influence the affairs of the world. No one part of the core curriculum can accomplish these goals individually, but the whole of the Core can do so. Consequently, students are required to take seven courses in the various areas of the Core: Two courses are required in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics: one in Natural Science and one in Mathematics. Two course are required in the Social Sciences. One advanced course in World languages is required. And two courses are required in the Arts and Humanities: one in the Arts and one in the Humanities. No more than one course from a single department may be taken to satisfy the Exploration requirement in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Arts and Humanities and the Social Sciences. A wide variety of course are available for students in their pursuit of these requirements. In addition, an advanced Religion course is required in the student's Junior or Senior year.
PERSPECTIVES COURSES Perspectives courses are designed to help students understand the global and increasingly interdependent character of the world. They will help them to see that no position is without a perspective and no policy is without an assumptive base. Students are required to take two courses with Perspectives designation: one with U.S. Cultural Diversity designation and one with an International and Global designation. As a testimony to Concordia's global perspective, these courses are to be found in all parts of the Core curriculum. CORE REQUIREMENTS All students must complete these requirements. Students may no take any core requirements S-U (pass/fail). *Inquiry Seminar (INQ 100) *Communication (IOC 100/either IWC 100 or IWC 120) *Religion-100 is to be taken during the first year or sophomore year. *Holistic Health-Physical Education-111, Wellness, is recommended for the first year. *Health Activity-Students may choose any 112 activity to complete the requirement. *Exploration Courses: Students may not take more than one course form the same department to satisfy requirements for Exploration areas I, II, and III. Students must take at least one 300-level Exploration Course from I, II, III or IV as well as V (Religion II) during the junior or senior year. I. Natural Science and Mathematics-Two course: 1 Science and 1 Math Natural science course numbers followed by a "N" Mathematics courses number followed by a "K" II. Social Sciences-Two courses; Social science course numbers followed by a "S" III. Arts and Humanities-Two courses: 1 Arts and 1 Humanities; Arts course numbers followed by a "R" Humanities course numbers followed by a "H" IV. World languages-pass at the 2nd semester level World language course numbers followed by a "W" V. Religion II-1 course During the junior or senior year. Religion course numbers followed by a "J" *Perspective Courses-1 U.S. Cultural Diversity course and 1 International and Global Perspectives course U.S. Cultural Diversity course numbers followed by a "U" International and Global Perspective course numbers followed by a "G"
(See the College Catalog for complete core descriptions)
Alternative Methods of Completing Core and Distribution Requirements A growing number of students enter college with prior credit. This is possible through cooperative programs like Minnesota’s PSEO program, Advanced Placement tests, CLEP and International Baccalaureate programs. It is important that courses completed by alternative methods are not repeated by students. If a student claims to have fulfilled a requirement by testing or previous post-secondary work, but you can find no evidence of the work in the advisee’s file, contact the Registrar’s Office. PSEO Program Credit Through the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program, Minnesota high school students are able to attend higher educational institutions. Once at Concordia, that credit is treated as a transfer credit. Students should request an official transcript from their higher educational institution and have it sent to the Registrar’s Office. Their credit will be evaluated and added to their academic record. ADVANCED CREDIT
Advanced Placement Students may obtain advanced placement and credit in courses at Concordia by scoring 3, 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Program Test of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). Credit must be recorded during the student’s first year at Concordia. (Please see chart on page 5.) CLEP Tests -- Students wishing to receive credit by CLEP examination should contact the Registrar’s Office for information.
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