Forester Foundations

The Huntington University Forester Foundations Curriculum challenges students to integrate knowledge, values and skills into a coherent worldview that equips them for a life of faithfulness to God through service in the world. Particular emphasis is placed on critical thinking and communication skills that foster lifelong learning and the ability to apply newly acquired knowledge to practical problems from a Christian perspective. 

Students are expected to achieve six learning outcomes, of which there are two types. The first three outcomes (faith integration, critical thinking, and communication) are set as objectives for every course in the curriculum. We refer to these as the foundational learning outcomes. Beyond being present in every core course, the foundational outcomes are also incorporated into every program's learning outcomes, linking Forester Foundations to students' majors. The curriculum also includes three specialized outcomes (multicultural thinking, empirical thinking, and creative expression), which are not set as objectives for every core course, nor are they necessarily a part of every program's learning outcomes. However, they are present in several courses within Forester Foundations and are no less important than the foundational outcomes, playing a crucial role in the holistic development of Huntington students.

Forester Foundations Learning Outcomes

The foundational learning outcomes are:

  • Faith Integration: Analyze subject matter from the perspective of Christianity.
  • Critical Thinking: Analyze topics clearly and rationally, relating them to goal-directed outcomes.
  • Communication: Communicate effectively and clearly through writing, speech, and other mediums.

The specialized learning outcomes are:

  • Multicultural Thinking: Exhibit awareness and understanding of one's own and other cultures.
  • Empirical Thinking: Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions with empirical information.
  • Creative Expression: Take ideas, images, and other media and combine them in original and illuminating ways.

Forester Foundations Requirements

The Forester Foundations curriculum itself is divided into three sections: Core4, General Education, and Immersives. 

Core4

The Core4 courses are interdisciplinary courses that equip students to live out God's calling for their lives around four themes: Belonging, Creating, Discovering, and Flourishing: 

  • HU 210 Created to Belong explores the concept of belonging in human relationships. Students will reflect on the benefits and challenges related to participation in the social life of their neighborhoods, churches, workplaces, and civic organizations with specific attention given to belonging as Christian members of the civitas. 
     
  • HU 220 Created to Create explores how Christian artists express divine beauty and truth through various forms of art, encouraging students to use their own creativity to serve Christ and others. 
     
  • HU 230 Created to Discover investigates the harmony and tension between faith and science, equipping students to pursue truth and reflect God's order through discovery. 
     
  • HU 240 Created to Flourish considers what it means to thrive as whole persons - body, mind, and spirit - rooted in biblical principles and vocational purpose. 

All Core4 courses address the three foundational outcomes, while Created to Belong also addresses Multicultural Thinking, Created to Create addresses Creative Expression, and Created to Discover addresses Empirical Thinking. 

General Education

The General Education requirements along with any specialized outcomes are as follows: 

Bible (6 hours)

BT 211 Old Testament Survey                                                                                                            3 hours
BT 221 New Testament Survey3 hours

Christian Faith (3 hours)

MI 285 Understanding the Christian Faith                                                                                          3 hours

Communication (3 hours)

CO 205 Foundations of Communications                                                                                           3 hours

History (choose 3 hours)

HS 115 Historical Perspectives on Civilizations and Culture I                                                           3 hours
HS 116 Historical Perspectives on Civilizations and Culture II                                                           3 hours

English (3 hours)

EN 141 Foundations of Writing and Reading                                                                                      3 hours

Mathematical Science (choose at least 3 hours)

CS 111 Introduction to Computer Science                                                                                          3 hours
MA 115 Mathematics for Society and the Liberal Arts3 hours
MA 151 Introduction to Probability and Statistics3 hours
MA 171 Calculus I4 hours

(Other mathematic courses may be taken if required in major, such as MA 111-112 for elementary education majors; a minimum math competency must be demonstrated before enrolling in mathematic courses)

Natural Science (choose 4 hours)

BI 111/L Biology in the Modern World and Lab                                                                                   4 hours
CH 111/L Chemistry and Contemporary Society4 hours
PH 111/L Physics and the Modern World4 hours

(BI 161/L-222/L-241/L or CH 161/L-162/L or PH 211/L-PH212/L may be taken if required in major; CH 141/L may be taken in place of CH 111/L)

Social Science (choose 3 hours)

EB 211 Principles of Macroeconomics                                                                                                3 hours
PS 111 Public Policy3 hours
PY 111 Introduction to Psychology3 hours
SO 111 Principles of Sociology3 hours
SO 141 Cultural Anthropology3 hours
Immersives 

Forester Foundations requires students to complete three immersive experiences - Creative Expression, Cultural Enrichment, and Experiential Learning - each of which may be met with or without academic credit. The non-credit option for each of these would require at least 20 hours of relevant experience, and, unless otherwise indicated, these must occur while the student is enrolled at Huntington University. Any petitions related to these requirements require approval from the advisor, the Core Director, and the Registrar. 

Creative Expression 
An opportunity to create or share information by artistic means

  • Can be met by a non-credit experience. Must involve at least 20 hours of either practice or performance. Must take place while enrolled as a Huntington University student or approved summer experience. Examples include but are not limited to: participation in plays, concerts, leading worship, writing stories, making videos, or podcasts.
     
  • Can be met with academic credit. (See approved classes below)
    AR 101 Drawing for Non-Majors                                                                                                3 hours
    AR 107 Photography for Non-Majors3 hours
    AR 115 Introduction to Art2 hours
    AR 276 Ceramics I3 hours
    DM 115 Introduction to Digital Media Arts2 hours
    MI 395JN Joyful Noise Practicum1 hour
    MU A01-04 Class Piano I, II, III or IV1 hour
    MU A06 Class Voice I1 hour
    MU A08 Class Guitar I1 hour
    MU A10-49 Applied Instrument and Voice1-2 hours
    MU P12 Concert Choir1 hour
    MU P20 Symphonic Band1 hour
    MU P21 Chamber Orchestra1 hour
    MU P30 Opera/Musical Theatre Workshop1 hour
    MU 115 Introduction to Music2 hours
    TH 101 Fundamentals of Tap1 hour
    TH 111 Introduction to Stagecraft3 hours
    TH 115 Introduction to Theatre2 hours
    TH 212 Principles of Acting3 hours
    TH 221 Stage Construction3 hours
    TH 222 Stage Lighting3 hours
    TH 223 Costume Construction3 hours
    TH 224 Theatrical and Special FX Makeup3 hours
    TH 231 Scene Painting2 hours
    TH 331MT Musical Theatre Dance3 hours
    TH 336 Christianity and the Performing Arts3 hours
    TH 365 Techniques of Musical Theatre2 hours
    TH 391 Play Production: Technical1 hour
    TH 392 Play Production: Acting1 hour
    TH P30 Opera/Musical Theatre Workshop1 hour

     

Cultural Enrichment  
An experience that invites students to consider cultures outside of the USA

  • Can be met with a cross-cultural experience while enrolled at Huntington University. Must involve at least 20 hours of learning, training, experiences, or visiting other countries. Students can "stack" two experiences which total a minimum of 20 hours. Examples include but are not limited to: Huntington University missions trips, participation in cross cultural groups/meetings, etc. 
     
  • Can be met with foreign language proficiency, demonstrated by: CLEP exam, language transfer credit (minimum 3 hours), other approved means.
     
  • Can be met by study abroad experience.
     
  • Can be met with academic credit. (See approved classes below)
    AR 371 Art History I                                                                                                                        3 hours
    AR 373 Art and Archaeology of Angkor3 hours
    AR 381 Art History II3 hours
    BT 331 Religions of the World3 hours
    BT 333CCT Contemporary Christian Theology3 hours
    CO 322 Intercultural Communication3 hours
    EN 374 Monsters, Freaks, and Geeks3 hours
    EN 375 What's Love Got to Do With It? 3 hours
    EN 453 The Empire Writes Back3 hours
    EN 454 Who Am I? 3 hours
    GR 111 Elementary Greek I3 hours
    GR121 Elementary Greek II3 hours
    HS 261 The British Empire3 hours
    HS 346 Cambodia: Revolution and Genocide3 hours
    HS 351 Diplomacy: Napoleon to Stalin3 hours
    HS 373 Art and Archaeology of Angkor3 hours
    HS 456 America and Vietnam3 hours
    MI 233CO Contextualization2 hours
    MI 321 Intercultural Communication3 hours
    MI 365 History and Theology of Missions3 hours
    MU 341 Music History and Literature I3 hours
    MU 342 Music History and Literature II3 hours
    PS 171 Development and Sustainability3 hours
    PS 346 Cambodia: Revolution and Genocide3 hours
    PS 351 Diplomacy: Napoleon to Stalin3 hours
    PS 373 Art and Archaeology of Angkor3 hours
    PS 456 America and Vietnam3 hours
    SO 141 Cultural Anthropology3 hours
    SO 171 Development and Sustainability3 hours
    TH 311 History and Literature of the Theatre I3 hours
    TH 312 History and Literature of the Theatre II3 hours

     

Experiential Learning 
A hands-on experience outside the classroom

  • This can be determined by faculty in the student's major.
  • Must take place while enrolled as an Huntington University student or approved summer experience.
  • Can be met with academic credit. Examples of credit experiences include: internships, practicums, PRIME, student teaching, film capstones, and clinicals. 
  • Can be met by a non-credit experience. Must involve at least 20 hours of approved experiential learning. Examples include: SAB leadership, Joyful Noise, Alpha group mentor, Friesen Center leadership, RA, Sojourners. 

General Guidelines: 

  • Petitions should be approved by advisor, Core director, and registrar prior to the experience.
  • One experience can count for more than one immersive experience as long as it meets the requirements for both.

Core Four Transfer Policy

Transfer students who bring in 60 or more hours of college credit will be exempt from two of the Core Four courses. As a result, they will be required to complete two Core Four courses prior to graduation. This policy does not apply to first-time freshmen who earned college credit during high school.