Northwestern Core

Note:

Aesthetic Experience (AE) courses include a group of individual public speaking assignment. The assignment is graded and integrated into the course as a means of learning content. Expectations for the assignment are explained and taught in class. Feedback on organization and delivery is provided through rubrics developmentally linked to those used in FYS. The Aesthetic Experience requirement may also be met by new NWCore courses as they become available.

Aesthetic Experience courses address 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. Explore the mosaic of human cultures, human nature, and what it means to be a person (2.2)
3. Demonstrate skill
   1. Demonstrate creative, effective, and sophisticated abilities in communication (3.1)
4. Live responsibly
   1. Gain an understanding of the needs of the world and the 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. Discern a calling in which individual abilities and passions serve the church and the needs of the world (4.4)

After completing the Aesthetic Experience (AE) requirement, students will be able to:

• Respond critically to works of art using appropriate tools and vocabulary.
• Advocate for the value of the arts in society. 
• Express a thoughtful Christian perspective on the arts. 

AE courses include at least one individual or group public speaking assignment which

• is integrated into the course as a means of learning content,
• contributes to the course grade,
• has clearly defined expectations,
• receives feedback on elements of delivery, and
• employs rubrics with connections to the FYS public speaking rubrics.

Note:

The Belief and Reason requirement may also be met by new NWCore courses as they become available. Approved courses in this category will bear the suffix BR and fulfill the following requirements.

Belief and Reason courses address 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. Explore the mosaic of human cultures, human nature, and what it means to be a person (2.2)
   2. Investigate the interdependencies and interconnections of the natural world (2.3)
   3. Establish and nurture a sense of intellectual curiosity as a foundation for lifelong learning (2.4)
3. Demonstrate skill
   1. Develop effective quantitative and qualitative reasoning (3.2)
   2. Engage, interpret, and respond to complex texts and problems (3.3)
4. Live responsibly
   1. Articulate and support personal beliefs and engage in respectful dialogue with those who hold differing beliefs (4.2)
   2. 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)

After completing the Believe and Reason (BR) requirement, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate their skill in critical and creative reasoning and writing. 
• Participate knowledgeably in ongoing conversations about significant philosophical questions. 
• Display intellectual virtues such as humility and charity in thinking about their own beliefs and the beliefs of others. 

Note:

Cross-Cultural Engagement courses address 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. Explore the mosiac of human cultures, human nature, and what it means to be a person (2.2)
   2. Investigate the interdependencies and interconnections of the natural world (2.3)
3. Demonstrate skill
   1. Engage, interpret, and respond to complex texts and problems (3.3)
4. Live responsibility
   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. Discern a calling in which individual abilities and passions serve the church and the needs of the world (4.4)

After completing the Cross-Cultural Engagement (CC) requirement, students will be able to:

• Analyze the reciprocal relationship between self and culture, with particular attention to privilege, power, and marginality.
• Demonstrate curiosity and empathy while suspending judgment, asking complex questions through engagement with people from other cultural frameworks.
• Articulate ways Christians can heed the scriptural call to love and respect others, value diversity, seek justice and reconciliation.

The Cross-Cultural Engagement requirement can also be met by an NWCore Committee-approved, semester-long, off-campus, residential course involving immersion in a different culture. The Cross-Cultural Engagement requirement may also be met by new NWCore courses as they become available.

International students are required to take ESL101, Introduction to American Culture.

Note:

The HP requirement may also be met by new NWCore courses as they become available. Options will vary by term and instructor. Approved courses in this category will bear the course suffix HP and fulfill the following requirements.

Writing-intensive HP courses address 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. Explore the mosaic of human cultures, human nature, and what it means to be a person (2.2)
3. Demonstrate skill
   1. Engage, interpret, and respond to complex texts and problems (3.3)
4. Live responsibly
   1. 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)

After completing the Historical Perspectives (HP) requirement, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate familiarity with a body of historical knowledge defined by reliable historical evidence. 
• Develop a thesis-based argument using properly cited evidence. 
• Evaluate the nature and reliability of historical evidence. 
• Articulate how faith obliges Christians to pursue historical truth while acknowledging preconceptions, ideologies, and myths. 

OPTION 1: Achieve 112 proficiency in a modern foreign language:

• SPA 112LA - Beginning Spanish Language and Culture

OPTION 2: Achieve 102 proficiency in an ancient foreign language:

• GRE 102LA - Elementary Biblical Greek and Culture
• HEB 102LA - Elementary Biblical Hebrew and Culture
• LAT 102LA - Elementary Latin II

OPTION 3: Participate in an NWCore Committee-approved semester-long immersion experience in a non-English-speaking country.

• GEN 352 - NWC Romania Semester
• GEN 354 - Oman Semester

Notes:

Initial placement into the modern foreign language sequence will be determined according to prior high school study of Spanish as per the following chart. Students will have attained at least a C in the last two semesters of Spanish language coursework to qualify for any placement above SPA111.

If a student has studied any other foreign language in high school for three years with at least a C in the last two semesters of foreign language coursework, that student has met the requirement.

Some students may have acquired foreign language facility through means outside of traditional high school coursework (e.g., extensive time living abroad). Such students who claim proficiency at a 112-level in a modern foreign language not taught at Northwestern College may take an approved standardized placement test to determine if the student has the level of proficiency needed for exception from the foreign language requirement. If 112-proficiency is not indicated by the exam, the student may meet the requirement by taking and transferring credits from a college or university offering that language.

The Registrar makes final determinations regarding the interpretation and validity of high school transcripts, placement exams, and transfer credits. For more information about these options, please contact the Registrar’s Office.

Exception: Students who are non-native speakers of English have no additional language requirement.

The Language and Culture requirement may also be met by new NWCore courses as they become available. Approved courses in this category will bear the suffix LA and fulfill the following requirements.

Language and Culture courses address 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. Explore the mosaic of human cultures, human nature, and what it means to be a person (2.2)
3. Demonstrate skill
   1. Develop effective quantitative and qualitative reasoning (3.2)
4. Live responsibly
   1. 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)

After completing the Language and Culture (LA) requirement, students will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of genres, time periods and literary tools to interpret text.
• Analyze stories from different cultures to understand and appreciate diverse cultural norms and identities.
• Articulate how language and storytelling can illuminate God in and through human experience.

Note:

This requirement may also be met by new NWCore courses as they become available. Options will vary by instructor and term. Approved courses in this category will bear the course suffix LC and fulfill the following requirements.

Writing-intensive Literary Contexts courses address 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. Explore the mosaic of human cultures, human nature, and what it means to be a person (2.2)
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)

After completing the Literary Contexts (LC) requirement, students will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of genres, time periods and literary tools to interpret text.
• Analyze stories from different cultures to understand and appreciate diverse cultural norms and identities.
• Articulate how language and storytelling can illuminate God in and through human experience.

Option 1:

• HON 230PW - Wellness
• KIN 100PW - Body Stewardship

Option 2:

• NUR 280 - Lifespan Health Assessment and
• NUR 290 - Geriatric Nursing

Note:

The Physical Wellness requirement may also be met by new NWCore courses as they become available. Approved courses in this category will bear the suffix PW and fulfill the following requirements.

Physical Wellness courses address 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. Investigate the interdependencies and interconnections of the natural world (2.3)
3. Live responsibly
   1. 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)

After completing the Physical Wellness (PW) requirement, students will be able to:

• Describe the integral role of physical wellness in human flourishing as it relates to healthful nutrition, sleep, stress management and other lifestyle choices.
• Demonstrate the skills necessary to plan and participate in physical activities, active leisure pursuits, and/or exercise programs.
• Articulate a Christian perspective on faithful stewardship of the human body.

Note:

Students with Math ACT 19 or below (SAT 510 or below) or no ACT or SAT math score must pass the ALEKS placement exam with a score of 46 or above in order to take a QR course at Northwestern College. Additional prerequisite requirements apply to some mathematics courses.

The Quantitative Reasoning requirement may also be met by new NWCore courses as they become available. Approved courses in this category will bear the suffix QR and fulfill the following requirements.

Quantitative Reasoning courses address 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. Demonstrate skill
   1. Develop effective quantitative and qualitative reasoning (3.2)
   2. Practice effective use of electronic tools and technology in communication and research (3.4)

After completing the Quantitative Reasoning (QR) requirement, students will be able to:

• Form valid arguments supported by numerical or symbolic reasoning.  
• Accurately evaluate arguments supported by numerical or symbolic reasoning.
• Use quantitative problem-solving skills to develop solutions to real-world problems. 
• Articulate a connection between mathematics and the order in God’s creation. 

Note:

The Science and the Natural World requirement may also be met by new NWCore courses as they become available. Approved courses in this category will bear the suffix SN and fulfill the following requirements.

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. Investigate the interdependencies and interconnections of the natural world (2.3)
   2. Establish and nurture a sense of intellectual curiosity as a foundation for lifelong learning (2.4)
3. Demonstrate skill
   1. Develop effective quantitative and qualitative reasoning (3.2)
   2. Practice effective use of electronic tools and technology in communication and research (3.4)
4. Live responsibly
   1. 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)

After completing the Science and the Natural World (SN) requirement, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of basic principles, structures, and processes of the natural world. 
• Apply methods of scientific inquiry to the natural world. 
• Evaluate the reliability of scientific practices and information.
• Articulate how scientific reasoning and an understanding of the natural world equip them to pursue God’s redeeming work in the world. 

Note:

The Self and Society requirement may also be met by new NWCore courses as they become available. Approved courses in this category will bear the suffix SS and fulfill the following requirements.

Self and Society courses address 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. Explore the mosaic of human cultures, human nature, and what it means to be a person (2.2)
3. 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. 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)

After completing the Self and Society (SS) requirement, students will be able to:

• Evaluate claims about the causes and consequences of human beliefs or actions. 
• Explain some of the major forces that shape the diversity of human experience. 
• Articulate how systematic study of humans informs their own views and actions. 
• Describe ways that Christian thought and the social sciences shed light on each other.