Core Experience

OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS

J.E. and L.E. Mabee Welcome Center

800.826.2281 x 8113

785.227.3380 x 8113

admissions@bethanylb.edu

The Core Experience

The Bethany College Core Experience is so much more than just a list of required classes. It is comprehensive program that combines interdisciplinary, academic, and co-curricular endeavors, to engage students in the fundamental skills, knowledge, and curiosity necessary to lead lives integrating faith, learning, and service; as well as supply a solid, shared base of experience for each student to build the rest of their academic experience upon. It is also possible to expand the Bethany Core Experience into our General Studies Major.

Interdisciplinary Experience
The Bethany College Core Experience is an interdisciplinary endeavor. Students will be exposed to a variety of teaching and learning styles as they discover and understand connections across disciplines. The interdisciplinary courses will address the following foundational competencies: Discovery and Integration; Communication; Critical, Analytical and Creative Reasoning; Information and Technical Literacy; and Religious Literacy. With this comprehensive approach to the competencies and their respective learning outcomes, students will be able to demonstrate growth in fundamental intellectual skills. Specifically this includes:

Discovery and Integration:

Students will demonstrate the ability to discover and apply connections among disciplines, use appropriate questioning and interactive skills, and collaborate successfully on projects.

Critical, Analytical, and Creative Reasoning:

Students will identify, understand and use qualitative and numerical arguments in everyday contexts, and analyze and reflect on issues from diverse cultural perspectives.

Information and Technical Literacy:

Students will demonstrate the ability to access and deliver information ethically and legally using technologies, and evaluate the credibility of various forms of information.

Communication:

Students will demonstrate the ability to speak and write effectively and thoughtfully with purpose, clarity and accuracy.

Religious Literacy:

Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze the socio-historical significance of Christianity, critically engage texts and practices across distinct religious orientations, and articulate a responsibility for the well being of our neighbors.

The Core Experience

Discovery and Integration:

Students will demonstrate the ability to discover and apply connections among disciplines, use appropriate questioning and interactive skills, and collaborate successfully on projects.

Critical, Analytical, and Creative Reasoning:

Students will identify, understand and use qualitative and numerical arguments in everyday contexts, and analyze and reflect on issues from diverse cultural perspectives.

Information and Technical Literacy:

Students will demonstrate the ability to access and deliver information ethically and legally using technologies, and evaluate the credibility of various forms of information.

Communication:

Students will demonstrate the ability to speak and write effectively and thoughtfully with purpose, clarity and accuracy.

Religious Literacy:

Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze the socio-historical significance of Christianity, critically engage texts and practices across distinct religious orientations, and articulate a responsibility for the well being of our neighbors.

Bethany Quest

Small group discussions and integrated activities form the basis of the Quest component of the Bethany College Core Experience. Using the College’s six core values of community, hospitality, servant leadership, excellence, sustainable living, and integrity, students will discover ways in which these values intersect with their lives. Specifically, this includes:

Personal Growth and Accountability:

Students will demonstrate the ability to reflect upon and analyze the integrity of their actions and behaviors and take suitable action.

Service and Leadership:

Students will demonstrate the ability to integrate and apply leadership skills to connect to the community and society, and actively participate in civic groups.

College Requirements

The College Requirement courses expose students to a breadth of knowledge that is essential to a liberal arts education and equip students to view their lives in broader terms. Specifically, this includes:

Expansive Inquiry:

Students will demonstrate the ability to engage themselves to broaden intellectual horizons and apply concepts in order to serve others with integrity.

General Studies Major

Mission Statement:

The mission of the General Studies program is to provide students with a diverse and flexible program of study that will develop the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue a variety of career opportunities.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will develop career goals through the development of an academic plan in their chosen field of study. (Academic Plan worksheet)

Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills through academic inquiry across disciplines. (Completion of the Core courses for the General Studies Major/Senior Project).

Students will develop a Senior Project that incorporates and synthesizes the knowledge gained through the completion of the areas of study in the General Studies Major. (Senior Project - ePortfolio artifact)