52
Programs of Study
52.2
The Augustana Core
52.2 The Augustana Core
Augustana Faculty orients its programs toward a broad education realized through engagement, knowledge, and skills. Collectively, this commitment is incorporated in the Augustana Core.
Engagement
At Augustana, students integrate their learning with the complexities of local and global communities, both in the classroom and in the world. To achieve this degree of social and political engagement, Augustana students are required to take courses in at least three of the following five areas:
• | Creative & Imaginative Process |
• | Diversity and Global Studies |
• | Environmental Sustainability |
• | Experiential Learning |
• | Integrating Knowledge |
For more information on Engagement requirements, see §§52.5, 52.6, 52.8, and 52.9, under The Augustana Core: Engagement.
Knowledge
Augustana embraces a liberal arts and sciences education that embodies many different ways of knowing. The ability to use a range of approaches to solve problems enables citizens to face the complexities of society with flexibility and innovation. Students achieve this breadth of knowledge by taking courses in each of the following areas:
• | Fine Arts, |
• | Humanities, |
• | Social Sciences, and |
• | Science. |
For more information on breadth of Knowledge requirements, see §§52.5, 52.6, 52.8, and 52.9, under The Augustana Core: Knowledge.
Skills
At Augustana, students acquire core academic skills through their major. These skills are the mark of a successful education and the basis for continued learning. Therefore, Augustana deliberately sets for itself the goal that, upon graduation, all students will be equipped with a skill set of which they can be justifiably proud. Students find these skills possess immense practical value, enabling our graduates to make meaningful contributions to their communities and workplaces.
Augustana aims to develop students who are thinkers, researchers, and communicators.
As Thinkers, Augustana students can
read, view, listen, and reflect carefully and extensively; | |
engage in issues from a variety of perspectives, cultures, or traditions; and | |
approach problems using evidence, reasoning, and creativity. |
As Researchers, Augustana students can
design and execute projects from conception to fruition; | |
analyze and synthesize data, concepts, and ideas; | |
assert their own perspective on a topic through argument, presentation, or interpretation; and | |
employ information literacy skills to assemble and evaluate the most suitable materials. |
As Communicators, Augustana students can
clearly convey ideas, creative work, and research in an artistic or scholarly manner; | |
present information confidently, showing command of oral, digital, written, visual, or artistic expression; | |
employ effective presentation and rhetorical strategies tailored to specific audiences; and | |
write logically and grammatically. |
While these skills are not attached to any specific credit requirement, skill development is incorporated into several aspects of each degree program and is reviewed by the Faculty on a regular basis.
