The Core Curriculum

The Huntington University Core 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. As an integrated program in the liberal arts, the core courses are the foundation of the Huntington educational experience upon which a student’s major builds to develop specific knowledge and skills for professional life.

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. 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 the core to students' majors. The core 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 the core and are no less important than the foundational outcomes, playing a crucial role in the holistic development of Huntington students.

Core Curriculum 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.

Core Curriculum Requirements

The core program consists of a minimum total of 61 hours for the bachelor of arts degree and 49 hours for the bachelor of fine arts, bachelor of music, bachelor of science, bachelor of science in nursing, bachelor of science in occupational therapy assistant, and bachelor of social work degrees (the difference being the 12 hours in the foreign language requirement for the bachelor of arts degree).

Foundational Courses

All courses in the core curriculum address the outcomes of faith integration, critical thinking, and communication, but certain courses are especially significant in students' development towards these outcomes.

Faith Integration

Bible (choose 3 hours)

     BT 111 Biblical History and Literature3 hours
     BT 231 Old Testament Introduction I3 hours
     BT 251 New Testament Introduction I3 hours

(BT 231 or 251 must be selected by Bible and theology majors)

Christian Faith (3 hours)

     MI 285 Understanding the Christian Faith3 hours

Religious Perspectives (choose 3 hours)

     BT 311 Topics in Biblical Studies3 hours
     BT 331 Religions of the World3 hours
     BT 333 Topics in Theological Studies3 hours
     BT 341 History of Christianity3 hours
     BT/PL 440 Religion of Scientific Thought3 hours
     BT/PL 460 Philosophy of Religion3 hours
     Other approved non-introductory BT course3 hours
Critical Thinking

Philosophy (choose 3 hours)

     PL 220 Introduction to Philosophy3 hours
     PL 260 Ethics3 hours
Communication

Communication Skills (6 hours)

     EN 121 Academic Writing and Research3 hours

(Students must enroll in EN121 every semester until they have earned credit for EN121)

     CO 215 Public Speaking3 hours
Specialized Courses

Skills in faith integration, critical thinking, and communication are further developed in a variety of liberal arts disciplines as students complete the 31 credit hours below. The courses below also contribute to one of the specialized learning outcomes of the core curriculum.

Multicultural Thinking

Beyond addressing the foundational outcomes, the following develop multicultural thinking from historical and literary perspectives, respectively:

History (6 hours)

     HS 115 Historical Perspectives on Culture & Civilization I3 hours
     HS 116 Historical Perspectives on Culture & Civilization II3 hours

Literature (3 hours)

     EN 151 Perspectives on Literature3 hours
Empirical Thinking

Beyond addressing the foundational outcomes, the following courses develop empirical thinking from quantitative, scientific, social and embodied perspectives, respectively:

Mathematical Science (choose at least 3 hours)

     CS 111 Introduction to Computer Science3 hours
     MA 115 Mathematics for Society and the Liberal Arts3 hours
     MA 151 Introduction to Probability and Statistics4 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 8 hours)

     BI 111/L Biology in the Modern World4 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-212/L may be taken if required in major; CH 141/L may be taken in place of CH 111/L)

Social Science (choose 6 hours)

     EB 211 Principles of Macroeconomics3 hours
     PS 111 Public Policy3 hours
     PY 111 Introduction to Psychology 3 hours
     SO 111 Principles of Sociology3 hours
     SO 141 Cultural Anthropology3 hours

(SO 141 may not be taken by sociology majors to fulfill the social science core requirement)

Wellness (2 hours)

     EX 101 Wellness for Life2 hours
Creative Expression

Beyond addressing the foundational outcomes the following courses develop the capacity for creative expression:

Artistic Appreciation (choose 2 hours)

     AR 115 Introduction to Art2 hours
     DM 115 Introduction to Digital Media Arts2 hours
     MU 115 Introduction to Music2 hours
     TH 115 Introduction to Theatre2 hours

Creative Studio Arts (select one course)

Creative studio arts courses must be taken for a letter grade (unless the course permits only S/U). For some courses, students must audition, demonstrate competency or show prerequisite coursework. Some advanced courses that require one or more courses as prerequisites are not listed but may be counted toward the requirement by petition to the Academic Concerns Committee. 

     AR 101 Drawing for Non-Majors3 hours
     AR 107 Photography for Non-Majors3 hours
     AR 276 Ceramics I 3 hours
     MI395JN 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 I 1 hour
     MU A10-49 Applied Instrument and Voice1-2 hours
     MU P12 Concert Choir1 hour
     MU P20 Symphonic Band 1 hour
     MU P21 Chamber Orchestra 1 hour
     MU P22 Jazz Improvisation1 hour
     MU P30 Opera/Musical Theatre Workshop1 hour
     TH 101 Fundamentals of Tap1 hour
     TH 212 Principles of Acting I3 hours
     TH 221 Stage Construction 3 hours
     TH 222 Stage Lighting3 hours
     TH 223 Costume Construction3 hours
     TH 224 Theatrical and Special Effects 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: Technical 1 hour
     TH 392 Play Production: Acting1 hour
     TH P30 Opera/Musical Theatre Workshop1 hour
Bachelor of Arts

Students pursuing a bachelor of arts complete an additional twelve credit hours in foreign language to further strengthen their multicultural thinking.

Foreign Language (12 hours for bachelor of arts)

Two years of foreign language are recommended for all students but required only for those completing the bachelor of arts degree. The language requirement may be satisfied by completion of 12 hours in the same language at the undergraduate level or by receiving credit for the equivalent level by CLEP examination. Students in most bachelor of arts majors may also satisfy the requirement by completing at least six semester hours in the same foreign language and up to six additional semester hours in either another foreign language or in designated cultural enrichment courses (listed below under Cultural Enrichment courses). Other language specifications include: 

  • Students completing a major in Bible and theology complete six hours from GR 111 and 121.
  • Students who have studied a foreign language in high school may wish to continue in the same language in college. Generally, two years of high school language study are equivalent to one year of the language at the undergraduate level. If the student has had less than two years in high school, the student is placed in the beginning semester of the language. Advanced placement in language courses requires that students take the CLEP test by early summer to allow time for scores to be processed.
  • The student whose native tongue is a major language other than English may be exempted from the foreign language requirement upon the recommendation of the Department of English and Modern Languages to the Academic Concerns Committee. A “major language” for these purposes is one used by a major population group and one in which a substantial body of written literature exists.
     FR 111 Elementary French I3 hours
     FR 121 Elementary French II 3 hours
     FR 211 Intermediate French I3 hours
     FR 221 Intermediate French II3 hours
     GM 111 Elementary German I3 hours
     GM 121 Elementary German II 3 hours
     GM 211 Intermediate German I3 hours
     GM 221 Intermediate German II 3 hours
     SN 111 Elementary Spanish I 3 hours
     SN 121 Elementary Spanish II 3 hours
     SN 211 Intermediate Spanish I 3 hours
     SN 221 Intermediate Spanish II 3 hours
     GR 111 Elementary Greek I3 hours
     GR 121 Elementary Greek II 3 hours

Cultural Enrichment Courses

These courses fulfill the remaining credit hours of the language requirement (for up to six hours) for those not completing all 12 hours in a foreign language. They are intended to broaden one’s cultural understanding of another people’s concepts of life and human relationships. No courses may be counted that are part of the student’s major or the Core Curriculum.

     AR 371 Art History I3 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
     EB 421 Population Studies3 hours
     EN 374 Monsters, Freaks, and Geeks3 hours
     EN 375 What's Love Got to Do With It?3 hours
     HS 261 The British Empire 3 hours
     HS 318 African-American History3 hours
     HS 322 European Reformations and Revolutions3 hours
     HS 346 Cambodia: Revolution and Genocide3 hours
     HS 373 Art and Archaeology of Angkor3 hours
     HS 376 Hindu Maharajas and Buddhist Kings3 hours
     HS 411 Medieval Europe3 hours
     HS 456 America and Vietnam3 hours
     MI 233CO Contextualization2 hours
     MI 321 Intercultural Communication 3 hours
     MI 365 History and Theology of Missions3 hours
     MU 241 English/German Diction and Literature2 hours
     MU 242 Latin/Italian/French Diction and Literature2 hours
     MU 341 Music History and Literature I3 hours
     MU 342 Music History and Literature II 3 hours
     PL 311 History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy 4 hours
     PL 321 History of Modern Philosophy 4 hours
     PS 171 Development and Sustainability3 hours
     PS 318 African-American History3 hours
     PS 322 European Reformations and Revolutions3 hours
     PS 346 Cambodia: Revolution and Genocide3 hours
     PS 373 Art and Archaeology of Angkor3 hours
     PS 376 Hindu Maharajas and Buddhist Kings3 hours
     PS 456 America and Vietnam3 hours
     SE 111 American Sign Language3 hours
     SO 141 Cultural Anthropology3 hours
     SO 171 Development and Sustainability3 hours
     SO 421 Population Studies3 hours
     SO 485 Sociological Theory3 hours
     TH 311 History and Literature of the Theatre I3 hours
     TH 312 History and Literature of the Theatre II 3 hours
International Cross-Cultural Experiences

Students traveling outside North America (not with a university-sponsored group), who anticipate experiences that will give the student significant exposure to the culture or history of a non-North American society, may propose a self-directed overseas course that has as its objective either cross-cultural historical study or missions service. Proposals will be reviewed by a faculty oversight committee and must include significant study and preparation for the cultures to be encountered, an outline of planned activities that are expected to cover several weeks and substantial documentation of the experience. Further details and a proposal form may be obtained in the Office of the Registrar. 

     ID 395 Cross-Cultural Practicum1-2 hours