Northwestern Core

Introduction

An education at Northwestern College prepares students both to embrace the complexity of God’s creation and to actively participate in God’s redemption of all things. We believe that equipping students for this call is as much about who they are becoming as it is about what they can do. The Northwestern Core curriculum introduces students to a broad array of spheres of inquiry while intentionally cultivating the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to respond to God’s call upon all facets of their lives.

At Northwestern College, integrative learning is our educational vision for all students. Integrative learning is holistic learning. It asks students to consider their relationship to and responsibility toward God’s many-faceted world and to reflect on how their learning shapes who they are becoming. The Northwestern Core embodies the goals of the college’s Vision for Learning: that graduates will trust, love, and worship God, engage ideas, connect knowledge and experience, and respond to God’s call.

By encouraging connections across courses, time, communities, and learning environments, integrative learning reflects an interconnected view of education. Above all, at Northwestern College, integrative learning means the integration of faith and learning. Integrative learning encourages students to connect knowledge gained from many academic disciplines, engage this knowledge in dialogue with biblical and theological understanding, and apply their knowledge and understanding in the context of their calling.

NWCore Goals

1. Integrate Learning

The overarching goals of NWCore are to:

• Integrate faith and learning
• Connect knowledge across disciplines
• Connect knowledge to life outside the academy, including personal and communal calling

2. Seek Knowledge

Students will discover the knowledge, tools, and traditions that motivate disciplinary work. In particular, students will:

• Examine the major themes of the Bible and expressions of Reformed theology, and survey the theology of the broader Christian tradition
• Explore the mosaic of human cultures, human nature, and what it means to be a person
• Investigate the interdependencies and interconnections of the natural world
• Establish and nurture a sense of intellectual curiosity

3. Demonstrate Skill

Students will practice integrative habits of mind by engaging research questions and issues that demand multidisciplinary thinking, including dialogue with biblical and theological understanding. In particular, students will:

• Demonstrate creative and effective abilities in listening, speaking, writing, and visual communication
• Develop effective quantitative and qualitative reasoning
• Engage, interpret, and respond to complex texts and problems
• Practice effective use of  technology in communication and research

4. Live Responsibly

Students will participate in God’s redeeming work by developing a view of ethical responsibility that encompasses both individual behavior and responsible action in community. In particular, students will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the needs of the world and issues of justice, mercy, and humility consonant with God’s redemptive activity in Scripture
• Articulate and support personal beliefs and engage in respectful dialogue with those who hold differing beliefs
• Develop a Christian ethic that informs individual choices; a sense of local, national, and global citizenship; and a sense of responsibility to others and to the natural world
• Discern a calling in which individual abilities and passions serve the needs of the world

Writing-Across the Curriculum (WAC) and Writing-Intensive (WI) Courses

Following consistent findings of writing research, Northwestern College embraces a longitudinal approach to writing instruction through Writing Intensive (WI) courses that form a rigorous Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) program. WI courses incorporate frequent writing activities and assignments in ways that help students learn both the subject matter of the courses and discipline-specific ways of thinking and writing. WI courses use a variety of writing activities, closely integrated with the course material, to help students acquire the knowledge and the skills relevant to that course. Students in these courses will write in a variety of forms, including formal, graded papers that require polished prose, and informal, ungraded papers that allow students to explore ideas and to experiment with writing strategies. WI courses also provide opportunities for students to prepare for, reflect on, and improve their writing-revision of formal writing is an essential part of the process, since it helps students clarify their ideas, recognize their strengths, and learn from their experiences.

Northwestern College students must take 16-20 credits of WI courses to graduate. The credits must come from the following courses:

1. First Year Seminar (4 credits)
2. Senior Seminar (2-4 credits)
3. Course in Major (2-4 credits)
4. Choose two:
   • Historical Perspectives (4 credits)
   • Literary Contexts (4 credits)
   • Belief and Reason (4 credits)

Four of the WI courses (FYS/Writing Studio, Historical Perspectives, Literary Contexts, and Senior Seminar) are NWCore courses. FYS/Writing Studio introduces students to college level writing through an emphasis on writing as a process of drafting, feedback, and revision, while simultaneously encouraging a development of audience awareness. This emphasis on writing as process continues through both the Historical Perspectives and Literary Contexts courses and eventually the Senior Seminar. The WI Course in Major aims to help students learn about the discourse expectations of a particular discipline. More specifically, it helps students understand how to communicate effectively in a discipline by examining the particular rhetorical strategies, usage preferences, and documentation expectations.

The Writing Studio is a required course for all conditionally-admitted students and students who score a 19 or below in the English section of the ACT. The course, which is taught in conjunction with FYS, provides writing instruction and support through individual feedback and mini-lessons on writing.

NWCore Requirements

To graduate with a B.A. or B.S., Northwestern students must complete the NWCore requirements, which include a common Integrative Learning Core and a menu of courses in ten Integrative Learning Categories.

Integrative Learning Core

• First-Year Seminar: Speaking and Writing in Community (4 credits)
• Christian Story I: Biblical Tradition (4 credits)
• Christian Story II: Theological Tradition (4 credits)
• Senior Seminar: Vocation and Social Responsibility (2-4 credits)

Integrative Learning Categories

• Aesthetic Experience (AE) (3-4 credits)
• Choose courses from two different categories: (8 credits)
  • Belief and Reason (BR) (4 credits)
  • Historical Perspectives (HP) (4 credits)
  • Literary Contexts (LC) (4 credits)
• Cross-Cultural Engagement (CC) (3-4 credits)
• Language and Culture (LA) (0-8 credits)
• Physical Wellness (PW) (2-3 credits)
• Quantitative Reasoning (QR) (3-4 credits)
• Science and the Natural World (SN) (4 credits)
• Self and Society (SS) (4 credits)

Total NWCore Credits: 41-55

Students with Earned Degree

Students with a completed baccalaureate degree, Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate Degree Nursing from a regionally accredited college will have met the requirements for the Northwestern Core upon completion of:

• BTS150 or BTS250 (4 credits)
• Senior Seminar (SR) (2-4 credits)

Students with Earned Associate of Applied Science Degrees

Students who transfer to Northwestern with an Associate of Applied Science degree from a regionally accredited college or university must meet the following modified NWCore requirements, with these courses to be taken either at the original institution or at Northwestern. (This does not apply to students who completed an ADN program.)

•  BTS150 or BTS250 (4 credits)
• Aesthetic Experience (AE) (3-4 credits)
• Choose courses from two different categories:
  • Historical Perspectives (HP)
  • Literary Contexts (LC)
  • Belief and Reason (BR)
• Physical Wellness (PW) (2-3 credits)
• Fulfill one category: (3-4 credits)
  • Cross-Cultural Engagement (CC)
  • Language and Culture (LA)
• Quantitative Reasoning (QR) (3-4 credits)
• Science and the Natural World (SN) (4 credits)
• Self and Society (SS) (4 credits)
• Senior Seminar (2-4 credits)

Total NWCore Credits: 33-39

Northwestern Core

NWC101/105 First-Year Seminar: Speaking and Writing in Community

FYS initiates a four-year process in which students form a learning community marked by trust in God and each other; explore some of life’s most profound, enduring questions by grappling with provocative texts; employ the tools of information literacy in pursuing answers; and develop effective practices of reading, writing, and speaking.

FYS addresses the following NWCore outcomes in particular:

1. Integrate learning
   1. Integrate faith and learning (1.1)
   2. Connect knowledge across disciplines (1.2)
   3. Connect knowledge to life outside the academy (1.3)
2. Seek knowledge
   1. Establish and nurture a sense of curiosity as a foundation for life-long learning (2.2)
3. Demonstrate skill
   1. Demonstrate creative, effective and sophisticated abilities in listening, speaking, writing, and visual communication (3.1)
   2. Engage, interpret, and respond to complex texts and problems (3.2)
   3. Practice effective use of electronic tools and technology in communication research (3.3)

After completing the First-Year Seminar, students will be able to:

• Engage a broad range of ideas through interdisciplinary writing and conversation.
• Write effectively to inform, persuade, and delight a particular audience.
• Speak effectively to inform, persuade, and delight a particular audience.
• Articulate the nature of a Christian liberal arts education in the Reformed tradition.

Students are invited to enroll in honors sections of FYS (NWC105) based on high school GPA and ACT or SAT scores.

NWC100 Writing Studio

Writing Studio provides additional writing instruction and feedback for students taking NWC101 (FYS: Speaking and Writing in Community). The studio engages students in essential practices of college writing through mini-lessons and workshop activities.

Note: Required for conditionally accepted students or students entering with an English ACT of 19 or below (SAT Verbal below 330) and no college-level writing course.

BTS150 Christian Story I: Biblical Tradition

Through Christian Story I, students learn skills and biblical content that prepare them for a lifetime of critical thinking and faithful living from a biblical-theological perspective. Students should complete this course by the end of their second term.

Christian Story I addresses the following NWCore outcomes in particular:

1. Integrate learning
   1. Integrate faith and learning (1.1)
   2. Connect knowledge across disciplines (1.2)
   3. Connect knowledge to life outside the academy (1.3)
2. Seek knowledge
   1. Examine the major themes of the Bible and expressions of Reformed theology and survey the theology of the broader Christian tradition (2.1)
   2. Establish and nurture a sense of intellectual curiosity as a foundation for lifelong learning (2.4)
3. Demonstrate skill
   1. Engage, interpret, and respond to complex texts and problems (3.3)
4. Live responsibly
   1. Gain an understanding of the needs of the world and issues of justice, mercy, and humility in keeping with the biblical narrative showing God’s concern for the last, the least, and the lost (4.1)
   2. Articulate and support personal beliefs and engage in respectful dialogue with those who hold differing beliefs (4.2)

After completing Christian Story I, students will:

• Know and understand the Biblical Story in relation to (a) God and key historical characters, places, and events from the biblical world; (b) the literary contexts of the biblical writings; and (c) the thematic development of God’s story with Israel and the church, through the unfolding of the covenants and their implications for worship, holiness, justice, wisdom, and the kingdom of God.
• Think critically about and appreciate the Biblical Message through an examination of (a) the significance of the biblical canon in terms of the historical process by which the Bible developed and became authoritative; (b) the contextual nature of the Bible’s historical and literary “worlds” behind, within, and in front of the text; (c) the scholarly methods and tools that strengthen authentic study of the Bible; and (d) the contribution of the experiences of faith communities in responding to God’s revelation in Jesus Christ.
• Respond to God through Biblical Application as (a) individuals in a manner that promotes Christian virtues such as love, justice, peace, and truth; (b) members of a learning community studying scripture together; and (c) the church empowered by the Spirit to be the presence of Christ in the world.

BTS250 Christian Story II: Theological Tradition

Through Christian Story II, students learn skills and theological content that prepare them for a lifetime of critical thinking and faithful living from a biblical-theological perspective. Students should complete this course by the end of their fourth term.

Christian Story II addresses the following NWCore outcomes in particular:

1. Integrate learning
   1. Integrate faith and learning (1.1)
   2. Connect knowledge across disciplines (1.2)
   3. Connect knowledge to life outside the academy (1.3)
2. Seek knowledge
   1. Examine the major themes of the Bible and expressions of Reformed theology and survey the theology of the broader Christian tradition (2.1)
   2. Establish and nurture a sense of intellectual curiosity as a foundation for lifelong learning (2.4)
3. Demonstrate skill
   1. Engage, interpret, and respond to complex texts and problems (3.3)
4. Live responsibly
   1. Gain an understanding of the needs of the world and issues of justice, mercy, and humility in keeping with the biblical narrative showing God’s concern for the last, the least, and the lost (4.1)
   2. Articulate and support personal beliefs and engage in respectful dialogue with those who hold differing beliefs (4.2)

After completing Christian Story II, students will:

• Know and understand Christian theology in relation to (a) God, the people of God and the redemptive gospel of Jesus Christ; (b) the traditions, councils, and theologians; (c) the cultural contexts of theological reflection from the first century until now; and (d) the mission and growth of the Church as the people of God since the apostolic era.
• Think critically about and appreciate the content and context of Christian theology through an examination of (a) the significance of Christian theology in terms of the historical process by which it developed within the Church and culture; (b) the nature of Christian theology’s historical, social, economic context; (c) the scholarly methods and tools that strengthen authentic study of theology; and (d) the contribution of Christian communities and experience in responding to God’s revelation in Jesus Christ.
• Respond to God through theological application as (a) individuals in a manner that responds in faith to the gospel and promotes Christian virtues such as love, justice, peace, and truth; (c) the church empowered by the Spirit for mission and witness to the gospel of Christ in the world.

Senior Seminar: Vocation and Social Responsibility

Senior Seminar serves as the capstone to the entire Northwestern education. Through course materials, oral presentations, and formal and informal writing assignments, students reflect on their learning and connect it to life after college. In all Senior Seminars students will

• Demonstrate the ability to synthesize facets of their curricular and co-curricular learning experiences.
• Articulate their personal commitments and calling(s) through engagement with a Christian understanding of one or more facets of our responsibility to God, others, and the world.

In some Senior Seminars students may also

• evaluate their success in meeting the goals of their major(s), and
• produce a substantial original project.

Senior Seminar may be taught from a departmental, divisional, or interdisciplinary perspective. It includes readings on vocational formation and social responsibility. The original project, if required, may be any type of disciplinary work, including projects in the visual and performing arts.

Senior Seminars vary from 2-4 credits, are Writing Intensive and Speech Intensive, and should be taken during the senior year if possible.

Approved NWCore Senior Seminars will bear the designation of SR.

The Senior Seminar addresses the following NWCore outcomes in particular:

1. Integrate learning
   1. Integrate faith and learning (1.1)
   2. Connect knowledge across disciplines (1.2)
   3. Connect knowledge to life outside the academy (1.3)
2. Live responsibly
   1. Gain an understanding of the needs of the world and issues of justice, mercy, and humility in keeping with the biblical narrative showing God’s concern for the last, the least, and the lost (4.1)
   2. Articulate and support personal beliefs and engage in respectful dialogue with those who hold differing beliefs (4.2)
   3. Develop a Christian ethic that informs individual choices; a sense of local, national, and global citizenship, and a sense of responsibility to others and to the natural world (4.3)
   4. Discern a calling in which individual abilities and passions serve the church and the needs of the world (4.4)

Northwestern Core Learning Categories

Integrative learning is our educational vision for all students at Northwestern College. Courses proposed within the Integrative Learning Categories should therefore ideally be accessible to a general audience of Northwestern College students. As a rule, 300-level courses designed to service a specific major and/or courses with pre-requisites are not considered suitable courses within the Integrative Learning Categories. These restrictions do not apply to courses previously approved within the Integrative Learning Categories.

No course may count toward meeting more than one NWCore requirement. Courses with different departmental prefixes within the same NWCore category are not equivalent for grade replacement purposes (i.e., HIS120HP will not automatically replace a previously earned grade for PSC120HP). Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Students desiring to pursue an exception must receive approval from the Director of the Northwestern Core prior to the start of the new course.

Aesthetic Experience (AE)

The following courses fulfill the Aesthetic Experience category requirement:

• ART 105AE - Introduction to Studio
• ART 120AE - Art History Survey, Prehistoric Through Medieval
• ART 122AE - Art History Survey, Renaissance Through Early 20th Century
• ENG 238AE - Literature and Film
• HON 210AE - The Art of Advocacy
• HON 240AE - The Greek Legacy
• MUS 113AE - Exploring Music
• MUS 115AE - Music of the Church
• MUS 318AE - History of Music II
• THE 110AE - The Theatre Experience
• THE 160AE - Film Aesthetics and Criticism

Belief and Reason (BR)

The following courses fulfill the Belief and Reason category requirement:

• HON 250BR - Magic, Science and Religion from Antiquity to the Scientific Revolution
• PHI 204BR - Mind, Knowledge and Reality
• PHI 208BR - Reason and Christian Faith
• PHI 210BRx - Introduction to Political Philosophy
• PHI 214BR - Contemporary Moral Issues
• PHI 226BR - Great Philosophers
• PHI 244BR - C.S. Lewis
• PHI 219BR - Philosophy and Science Fiction
• PSC 210BRx - Introduction to Political Philosophy

Cross-Cultural Engagement (CC)

The following courses fulfill the Cross-Cultural Engagement category requirement:

• BTS 390CC - World Religions
• CRJ 304CCx - Ethnicity, Power and Identity
• EDU 340CC - Human Relations
• GEN 150CC - Transformational Cross-Cultural Leadership
• GEN 350CC - Topics in Cross-Cultural Studies
• GEN 352 - NWC Romania Semester
• GEN 354 - Oman Semester
• KIN 360CC - Sport in Societies
• MUS 320CC - World Musics
• NWC 210CC - Different Together: Living & Learning Interculturally
• PSC 235CC - Comparative Politics
• PSC 260CC - Human Geography
• PSY 250CC - Cross-Cultural Psychology
• SOC 290CC - Cultural Anthropology
• SOC 304CCx - Ethnicity, Power and Identity
• an approved off-campus, residential course involving immersion in a different culture

Historical Perspectives (HP)

The current options for meeting the Historical Perspectives requirement are:

• HIS 201HP - United States History to 1865
• HIS 202HP - United States History from 1865
• HIS 203HP - City, Empire, and Church: Antiquity and the Middle Ages
• HIS 204HP - Search for a Useful Past II: Historical Narratives and the Modern World
• HON 240HP - The Greek Legacy
• HON 250HP - Magic, Science and Religion from Antiquity to the Scientific Revolution
• PSC 250HP - The Cold War and Beyond: International History 1945-2000

Language and Culture (LA)

Students have three options for fulfilling the Language and Culture category requirement:

Literary Contexts (LC)

The current options for meeting the Literary Contexts requirement are:

• ENG 250LC - Literary Contexts
• HON 270LC - Patterns and Structure: Mathematics in Literature

Physical Wellness (PW)

Students have two options for fulfilling the Physical Wellness category requirement:

Quantitative Reasoning (QR)

The following existing courses fulfill the Quantitative Reasoning category requirement:

• CSC 171QR - Computer Science I
• HON 270QR - Patterns and Structure: Mathematics in Literature
• MAT 105QR - Topics in Contemporary Mathematics
• MAT 107QR - Mathematical Reasoning for Elementary Teachers
• MAT 109QR - College Algebra
• MAT 111QR - Calculus for Management, Life and Social Sciences
• MAT 112QR - Calculus I
• MAT 116QR - Statistics for the Natural and Social Sciences
• MAT 117QR - Applied Statistics for Management
• MAT 208QR - Biostatistics

Science and the Natural World (SN)

The following laboratory science courses fulfill the Science and the Natural World category requirement:

• BIO 101SN - Introduction to Environmental Science
• BIO 102SN - Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology
• BIO 110SN - Introduction to Life Science
• BIO 115SN - General Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology
• CHE 101SN - College Chemistry
• CHE 105SN - Topics in Chemistry
• CHE 108SN - General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry
• CHE 108ASN - General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry
• PHY 111SN - General Physics I
• PHY 160SN - Astronomy
• PHY 211SN - Classical Physics I

Self and Society (SS)

The following courses fulfill the Self and Society category requirement:

• ECO 101SS - Everyday Economics
• HON 210SS - The Art of Advocacy
• HON 230SS - Wellness
• PSC 101SS - American Government
• PSC 205SS - Political Ideologies
• PSC 230SS - International Relations
• PSY 100SS - Exploring Psychology
• PSY 221SS - Developmental Psychology: Childhood
• SOC 101SS - Principles of Sociology
• SOC 210SS - Marriage and Family