Undergraduate Bulletin 2016-2017 Download

General Education

Rationale

At Southwestern Adventist University, a Seventh-day Adventist liberal arts education emphasizes preparing students with a broad academic background that enables them to contribute to society in multi-faceted ways.  Flexibility, adaptability, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to lifelong learning go beyond the confines of a specific discipline.  We believe that broad skills and connections across disciplines, including an emphasis on the distinctive beliefs and history of the Seventh-day Adventist church, foster the development of the whole person who will be a responsible citizen of this world and the world to come.

Educating the Whole Person

1.  Spiritual and Physical Wellbeing - An education focused on the whole person requires a preparation of the mental and physical body for learning.  General Education in this area should focus on the theological and historical foundations of our faith with an emphasis on the SDA health message.

2.  Intellectual Curiosity and Inquiry - Learning utilizes discovery, synthesis, analysis, and problem solving, skills which must be intentionally embedded across the curriculum in ways that inspire lifelong learning and enable students to apply them to a variety of situations and environments.

3.  Clear and Effective Communication - The ability to communicate thoughts and ideas in a clear and effective manner facilitates the participation of an educated person in society.  This concept extends beyond traditional oral and written forms to encompass current modes of expression and their personal, moral and social implications.

Core Curriculum for a Bachelor’s Degree

I. English Composition

Courses in English composition will emphasize the practice of critical reading and effective writing.

Select two courses:    6

  • ENGL 121     Freshman Composition
  • ENGL 220     Research Writing

II. Mathematics

Courses in mathematics will emphasize quantitative and deductive reasoning, problem solving and logical thinking, organizational and systematic thinking, and the application of mathematics to various life situations.

Select one course:                                                                      3

  • MATH 110           College Algebra
  • MATH 121           Precalculus
  • MATH 131           Applied Mathematics
  • MATH 181           Calculus I
  • MATH 241           Intro to Probability & Statistics

III. Whole-Person Wellness

Courses in fitness activity will emphasize practical knowledge and practices that will promote life-long whole-person wellness.

Select two courses:        2

  • KINAxxx
  • KINAxxx

IV. Humanities

Courses in the humanities will emphasize a reflection on the human experience and human condition through literary texts and artistic forms.

A. Literature

Select one course: 3

  • ENGL 221, 222    World Masterpieces
  • ENGL 224             Survey of English Literature
  • ENGL 231, 232    American Literature I, II
  • ENGL 322             Literary Perspectives

B. Fine Arts

Select one course:                                         3

  • ENGL 272           Introduction to Drama
  • MUHL 221          Survey of Music

V. Life and Physical Science

Courses in science will emphasize understanding and application of everyday phenomena. Laboratories will be discovery based and emphasize the development and testing of hypotheses, or they may expose students to observational experiences that enhance scientific understanding.

A. Life Science

Select one course:                                                                       4

  • BIOL 101 or 102   Anatomy and Physiology I or II
  • BIOL 103                Human Biology
  • BIOL 111 or 112    General Biology I or II
  • BIOL 220                Microbiology and Immunology
  • BIOL 225                Field Biology
  • BIOL 345                Environment & Mankind

 B. Physical Science

Select one course:                                                                       4

  • CHEM 105          Survey of Chemistry
  • CHEM 111           General Chemistry I
  • PHYS 101            Introductory Physics
  • PHYS 114            Physical Science
  • PHYS 121            General Physics I

VI. History and Social Science

Courses in history and social science are designed to give students a broad understanding of the sweep of world historical, governmental, and cultural events. Through reading, lectures, discussions, and writing, these courses will enhance the critical abilities of students by providing tools and practice that are universal in application.  Ultimately, students should be better able to understand contemporary events by grasping how historical, political, and cultural events have combined to create the world in which they live.

A. History

Select two courses:                                                                        6

  • HIST 111           American History, 1492-1865
  • HIST 112           American History, 1866 - Present
  • HIST 225           World Civilizations I
  • HIST 226           World Civilizations II

B. Social Science

Select one course:                                                                          3

  • ECON 211       Macroeconomics
  • ECON 212       Microeconomics
  • POLS 211        National and Texas Constitutions
  • PSYC 212        General Psychology
  • PSYC 220        Human Growth & Development
  • SOCI 111         Introduction to Sociology

VII. Religion

Courses in biblical studies will introduce the student to practical methods of Bible study, critical evaluation of scholarship and interpretation, and the richness and depth of the biblical text. Courses in theology will engage the student in a systematic approach to biblical matters, will have students explore different perspectives and relevant issues, and guide students to formulate personal viewpoints and positions. Courses in historical studies trace the origin and development of the Bible, Christianity, Seventh-day Adventism, and other religions.

Select four courses: 12

A maximum of 2 courses can be taken in any one area. One course must be numbered 300 and above. Transfer students from a non-SDA college must complete one course for each academic year in attendance, with a minimum of 2 courses (one in Biblical Studies).

A. Biblical Studies

  • RELB 211                 Life and Teachings of Jesus
  • RELB 313                 Prophetic Studies
  • RELB 315 or 316    Old Testament I or II
  • RELB 339                 New Testament I:  Gospels
  • RELB 340                 New Testament II:  Letters

B. Theological Studies

  • RELT 101                  Christian Beliefs
  • RELT 212                  Christian Ethics
  • RELT 360                  Philosophy & the Christian Worldview
  • RELT 419                  Philosophy of Science

C. Historical Studies

  • RELH230                  History of the SDA Church
  • RELH 233                 Biblical Archaeology
  • RELH 314                 History of the Bible
  • RELH 320                 Ellen White Writings
  • RELH 331 or 332    History of Christianity I or II

VIII. Competence in Computer Applications

Students completing a degree must be proficient in the use of general computer applications and important software in the field of the student’s major. Proficiency will be determined by the completion of a department-designated course or courses.

Academic Departments must submit prospective courses designed to meet the Computer Applications Competency to the General Education Committee for approval.  The Bulletin description of approved courses should include the statement “This course fulfills the Computer Competency requirement as specified in the Core Curriculum.”

IX. Competence in Communication

Students completing a degree must be proficient in the application of the principles of effective oral communication including discussion techniques and public presentations. Proficiency will be determined by the completion of a department designated course or courses.

Academic Departments must submit prospective courses designed to meet the Communication Competency to the General Education Committee for approval. The Bulletin description of approved courses should include the statement “This course fulfills the Computer Competency requirement as specified in the Core Curriculum.”

Total GE Credit Hours: 46

Core Curriculum for an Associate in Science Degree

Core Curriculum for an Associate in Science Degree

I. English Composition

Courses in English composition will emphasize the practice of critical reading and effective writing.

Select two courses                                                                                           6

  • ENGL 121             Freshman Composition
  • ENGL 220             Research Writing

II. Mathematics

Courses in mathematics will emphasize quantitative and deductive reasoning, problem solving and logical thinking, organizational and systematic thinking, and the application of mathematics to various life situations.

Select one course                                                                                             3

  • MATH 110           College Algebra
  • MATH 121           Precalculus
  • MATH 131           Applied Mathematics
  • MATH 181           Calculus I
  • MATH 241           Intro to Probability & Statistics

III. Whole-Person Wellness

Courses in fitness activity will emphasize practical knowledge and practices that will promote life-long whole-person wellness.

Select one course                                                                                             1

  • KINAxxx

IV. Humanities

Courses in the humanities will emphasize a reflection on the human experience and human condition through literary texts and artistic forms.

Select one course                                                                                             3

  • ENGL 221, 222    World Masterpieces
  • ENGL 224             Survey of English Literature
  • ENGL 231, 232    American Literature I, II
  • MUHL 221            Survey of Music
  • ENGL 272             Introduction to Drama

V. Life and Physical Science

Courses in science will emphasize understanding and application of everyday phenomena.  Laboratories will be discovery based and emphasize the development and testing of hypotheses, or they may expose students to observational experiences that enhance scientific understanding.

Select one course                                                                                             4

  •  BIOL 101 or 102        Anatomy and Physiology I or II
  •  BIOL 104                     Human Biology
  •  BIOL 111 or 112        General Biology I or II
  •  BIOL 220                     Microbiology and Immunology
  •  BIOL 225                     Field Biology
  • CHEM 105                   Survey of Chemistry
  • CHEM 111                   General Chemistry I
  • PHYS 101                     Introductory Physics
  • PHYS 114                     Physical Science
  • PHYS 121                     General Physics I

VI.  History and Social Science

Courses in history and social science are designed to give students a broad understanding of the sweep of world historical, governmental, and cultural events.  Through reading, lectures, discussions, and writing, these courses will enhance the critical abilities of students by providing tools and practice that are universal in application.  Ultimately, students should be better able to understand contemporary events by grasping how historical, political, and cultural events have combined to create the world in which they live.

Select one course                                                                                             3

  • HIST 111              American History, 1492-1865
  • HIST 112              American History, 1866 to Present
  • HIST 225             World Civilizations I
  • HIST 226             World Civilizations II
  • HIST 226             World Civilizations II
  • ECON 211           Macroeconomics
  • ECON 212           Microeconomics
  • POLS 211             National and Texas Constitutions
  • PSYC 212            General Psychology
  • PSYC 220            Human Growth and Development
  • SOCI 111              Introduction to Sociology

VII. Religion

Courses in biblical studies will introduce the student to practical methods of Bible study, critical evaluation of scholarship and interpretation, and the richness and depth of the biblical text. Courses in theology will engage the student in a systematic approach to biblical matters, will have students explore different perspectives and relevant issues, and guide students to formulate personal viewpoints and positions. Courses in historical studies trace the origin and development of the Bible, Christianity, Seventh-day Adventism, and other religions.

Select two courses                                                                                          6

A.      Biblical Studies

  • RELB 211              Life and Teachings of Jesus

B.      Theological Studies

  • RELT 101               Christian Beliefs
  • RELT 212               Christian Ethics

C.      Historical Studies

  • RELH 230              History of the SDA Church
  • RELH 233              Biblical Archaeology

Total    26