General Education Requirements

This is an archived copy of the 2020-2021 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.csp.edu.

General Education Requirements

The purpose of the general education curriculum is to provide Concordia University students with the opportunity to grow in their ability to:

  1. discover, confront and explore unfamiliar information and ideas;
  2. use available academic resources and skills to think analytically, critically, and synthetically;
  3. use appropriate and current technology for research and problem solving; and
  4. ideally move beyond the academic data itself to formulate and express new insights and ideas.

Fine Arts (Minimum 4 credits required; two courses from two different areas – Art, Music, and Theatre)

The fine arts curriculum increases students’ awareness, understanding and critical appreciation of varied aesthetic expression; and seeks to foster their creative talents.  Nursing (pre-licensure) students fulfill this requirement with 2 credits.

ART 101Approaching Art 12
ART 1033D Design3
ART 104Introduction to Art History3
ART 111Drawing I3
ART 221Painting I3
ART 241Photography I3
ART 261Ceramics I3
ART 342Digital Photography2
MUS 120Listening to Life: Western Classical Music2
MUS 121Listening to Life: Global & Popular Music 12
THR 101Introduction to The Theatre2
THR 160Introduction to Dance2
THR 221Acting I4
THR 251Stagecraft4

History and Political Science (4 credits required)

History offerings help students understand historical sources on their own terms and to recognize the interplay of political, intellectual, social, economic and cultural factors in the development of civilizations. It thereby provides one method whereby present-day circumstances can be better understood and evaluated. Political science courses help students understand their own government and the role of each citizen in the democratic process. Applied globally, political science pertains to the relationships between different governments and peoples and explores how their interests and welfare are connected by many of the same factors examined by historians.  Nursing (pre-licensure) students select one course in History/Political Science or Literature.

HIS 212Introduction to History4
HIS 220Leaders in American Society4
HIS 231USA to 18774
HIS 233USA since 18774
HMG 110Introduction to Hmong History4
POL 131Government and Politics4

Communication (4 credits required)

Communication courses pertain to the study of verbal and nonverbal messages between communicators in interpersonal, group, public, intercultural and mass media contexts. Communication theory and analysis informs student choice of ethical as well as effective strategies and skills used to relate and respond to ideas.

COM 103Interpersonal Communication4
COM 212Public Speaking4

Global Studies (4 credits required)

Global courses help students recognize global interdependence and/or cultural connections and enhance students’ ability to work constructively with a people, language, or culture other than their own.

ART 374Art of Mexico4
ART 375Art of Asia4
ART 376World Art4
COM 309Intercultural Communication 14
ECO 101America in the Global Economy: Macroeconomics4
ENG 376World Literature II: Geographic or Thematic4
GRK 211Biblical Greek I4
HIS 121World History4
HIS 267Introduction to Latin America4
HMG 201Hmong Culture and Society4
SPA 101Beginning College Spanish I4
SPA 102Beginning College Spanish II4
POL 243Contemporary Global Problems4
NUR 360Transcultural Nursing & Advanced Health Assessment 24
International Study programs

Social and Behavorial Science (4 credits required)

Social and behavioral science courses provide the perspectives and tools for students to understand human behavior individually, in groups and in organizations.

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology 14
SOC 152Introduction to Sociology4

Health Science (3 credits required)

The health science curriculum provides students with the resources and strategies necessary for healthy, balanced and vigorous lives.  RN to BSN Nursing students can fulfill this requirement with submission of current nursing license.  Pre-licensure Nursing students fulfill this requirement with NUR 232 (2 credits).

KHS 110Health Science3
NUR 232Nursing Approach to Nutritional Foundations 12

Literature (4 credits required)

The literature curriculum helps students develop their abilities to think critically about, write coherently on and discuss enthusiastically a variety of literary texts; students develop both an intellectual understanding of the power of literature and an aesthetic appreciation for diverse literary works.  Nursing (pre-licensure) students select one course in History/Political Science or Literature.

ENG 155Introduction to Literature4

Mathematics and Science (7 credits required)

Mathematics offerings are designed to develop students’ understanding of basic mathematical concepts, to develop their abilities to analyze and solve mathematical problems and to promote mathematical awareness in the analysis of problem solving strategies and the interpretation of results. Science courses examine the physical nature of the world. Biology involves plant, animal and human life; physical science deals with the processes of the earth; while earth science studies the earth and the universe.

Students take a minimum of 7 credits of mathematics and science, with the prescribed number of credits in each of areas.  

Mathematics (Minimum 3 credits required)

Incoming students are initially placed in math courses according to their math ACT scores. Students who do not have a current math ACT score or those who would like to change their placement will need to take the Math Placement Exam.

MAT 101Contemporary Mathematics3
MAT 110Introduction to Probability and Statistics3
MAT 165Quantitative Reasoning for Health Care Professionals 13
MAT 200Foundations of Elementary Mathematics 24

Science (4 credits required)

BIO 120General Biology I4
CHE 105Chemistry for Health Sciences4
CHE 115General Chemistry I4
PHS 221General Physics I (Calc Based)4
SCI 120Live Science: How Scientific Issues Impact Your Daily Life4

Religion and Theology (6-8 credits required; 3-4 Introductory, 3-4 Intermediate)

Students in traditional programs meet their general education requirements in theology by taking a course from the “Biblical” category and a course from the “Intermediate” category. Students in professional church work programs must select from those courses in both categories that are also requirements in the minor in Lutheran Theology.  Students in adult undergraduate programs meet this requirement by taking a combined course that meets the outcomes in the intro/intermediate areas.

Introductory (3-4 credits)
THL 100The Biblical Heritage of Christianity4
THL 200Scripture and its interpretation: A Global Introduction to the Bible3
Intermediate (3-4 credits)
THL 310Archaeology and the Bible4
THL 316The Death of Jesus4
THL 325Christian Ethics4
THL 342Athens and Jerusalem: Philosophy and Christianity4
THL 344Martin Luther: Saint & Sinner4
THL 345Callings: Christianity and Vocation3
THL 353Christianity and World Religions4
THL 354Christian - Muslim Relations4
THL 356One Nation under God? Christianity and Politics in America4
THL 357Christianity and the Media in Contemporary Culture4
THL 359Theology and Art4
THL 371Mission of God4
THL 377Faith and Justice in the City4
THL 431Lutheran Doctrine I 13

Writing (4 credits required)

The writing course provides students with an awareness of written communication-specifically the process of research, synthesis and analysis-as well as opportunities to practice their own writing skills in an academic setting.

ENG 120College Writing4