Students completing the Core Curriculum will experience the following areas of strength. - Curriculum Connections: Learning progressions that acknowledge the need for students to move from introductory to advanced study are included as well as opportunities to explore a wide range of academic disciplines. The entire curriculum is connected to the purpose of “Becoming Like Christ for God’s Glory.” Consequently, the content addressed through core classes is expanded on the in the academic major and allows students to naturally build content and skill connections.
- Biblical Thinking and Living: Students are provided with opportunities to study Scripture in depth, to develop interpretive skills, and to wrestle with difficult theological and philosophical questions that will allow them to step into the challenging conversations that we all encounter in a secular society. Students who wish to earn a second major in Bible may still do so by embedding 6 credits of Bible Exposition work into the elective space in the Enhanced Curriculum.
- Leadership Development: Students complete a two-course sequence in leadership development that examines the integration of personal spiritual formation, biblically-based leadership, professional skills, and cultural and global engagement. A focus on individual strengths and motivations and their impact on calling and career is included. This sequence is designed to provide a “bookend” experience for students. They complete the first course at the beginning of their program and the second course towards the end. This allows opportunity to plan for personal growth experiences and to reflect upon those experiences at the end of the program.
- Cultural and Global Engagement: Students are introduced to a biblical foundation for cultural and global engagement during the first leadership course and then identify a personal plan for growth and engagement across their Northwestern experience. Students are encouraged to select experiences such as cultural and global engagement courses, modern world languages, study abroad experiences or cross-cultural opportunities. In the second leadership course student critically reflect on their growth related to cultural and global engagement.
- Foundational Skills: Course work is designed to provide foundational skills in effective oral and written communication and information literacy, recognizing that these are essential skills across academic disciplines.
- Broad Exposure to Academic Disciplines: Recognizing that professionals need skills from a variety of academic fields, students are given the opportunity to explore a broad range of courses from different disciplines. These include academic areas such as the humanities, the arts, social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences.
|