Augustana Core Requirements

2024-25 Academic Catalog

During their first semester, students enroll in either the first-year inquiry (FYI-101) or in the honors (FYH) course.

These courses are designed to help students develop as active, critical learners and to develop skills that provide the foundation for further study at Augustana. Although FYI/FYH courses are taught by faculty from many different disciplines, all faculty frame their courses around a central question.

Students will actively engage topics and methods that are the hallmarks of a liberal arts education, and they will develop skills that define independent thought and by making new connections across multiple fields and engaging in scholarly research and writing. Honors courses have a specialized curriculum prepared by the honors faculty and program directors. (See Honors Program.)

Before completion of the sophomore year, students also will select one course from a menu of classes that examine religious traditions through a Reasoned Examination of Faith.

To assure that students receive a well-rounded education in the liberal arts, the Core also engages students in perspectives on the past, the arts, individuals and society, literature and texts, the natural world, and human values and existence. These learning perspectives (LPs) examine how knowledge in a variety of areas is discovered or created. 

Students also will fulfill certain skills requirements. These include second language competency, two physical education activity courses, and courses that focus on quantitative reasoning, multicultural awareness and global diversity issues.

During the senior year, students will take a Senior Inquiry (SI) capstone course that integrates disciplinary and general education coursework. 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY: While the senior audit, program evaluation, academic support resources, as well as academic guidance from faculty and advisors are all available to every student at no additional cost, these resources are provided for use in planning only. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain an accurate schedule at all times and pay for all tuition and fees associated with their registration in accordance with all published fees and deadlines. Students must report any printed schedule error to the Office of the Registrar within two semesters. The responsibility for understanding and meeting degree requirements rests entirely with the student.