Topic Sections
Introduction to the Liberal Arts contains seven different sections to choose from according to specific interest. These courses are:

The Sixties MWF 9:00 – 9:50 Susan Loughran and Neal Wise
The decade of the 1960's strongly shaped the world we inhabit in the early twenty-first century. The ways Americans view themselves, their society, and their place in the larger world were transformed by the people and events of that decade. Major institutions of society were profoundly altered--family, education, religion, economics, the legal system, politics, health care, and popular culture. We will examine some of the most important documents, films, music, and social customs which exemplify the vitality of the decade, focusing on four themes: The Civil Rights Movement, War, the Women's Movement and the Counterculture. Students will be asked to read, write, debate, and produce projects on those themes.

Literature and Philosophy MWF 10:00 -10:50 Harald Becker and Mark Cherry
The liberal arts consist of the various fields of knowledge concerned with what it is to be properly human. They address the systematic understanding we have of ourselves, individually, communally, and culturally. They engage in a self-reflection that focuses on the ways we shape ourselves by the values we pursue and eschew; the tacit presuppositions of the underlying culture; as well as our virtues, goals and that which we take to be rational and good. Whereas literature breathes life into such explorations, providing character, narrative and form, philosophy provides self-conscious critical reflection about that which marks us as truly human. In this section of Freshman Studies, we will together participate in this self-reflection through individual study and class discussion of primary literary texts and the issues each raises.

Science and Theology MWF 11:00 - 11:50 Bill Quinn and Ed Shirley
In this course, we will focus on the relationships that have developed between theology and the natural sciences, as both have represented humans' attempts to understand the creation and our place in it. Specific areas of discussion will include an overview of the theological and the scientific modes of inquiry, evolution and creation, determinism and free will, God and the brain.

Current Political Controversies MWF 12:00 – 12:50 James E. Payne and invited guests
In this section, we will make use of the current political season to examine some of the controversies in the election campaigns. We will go past the sixty-second sound bite political commercials now on television to get a better understanding of the economic, social, and political dynamics of some of the major issues. We will look at all sides of some of the issues; we will have some lively debates, but more important, we will explore the facts, the history, and the context of the issues to gain a better understanding. One of our goals will be to realize that political debate can occur with civil discourse and mutual respect for others' opinions, even in disagreement.

Swords, Silk and Silicon T R 11:00 – 12:15 Cecil Lawson and Pat Perry
More than one-third of the world's population lives in Asian countries. In a world that is moving away from military dominance to economic hegemonies, China and Japan are major leaders entering the 21st Century. However, in order for China and Japan to develop and maintain their economic success, they will need to redefine themselves and their roles in international affairs. As their global neighbors, we need to be better informed as we interact with them more and more on this new millennium world stage. This section of Freshman Studies will help you take that first step toward becoming a participant in this challenging but "brave new world." In this Introduction to the Liberal Arts course, we will explore the Chinese and Japanese view of themselves, the world, and their future relative to the world community. Seminal readings will include Tao Te Ching and Code of the Samurai as well as additional literary and non-fiction selections.

Ideas and Innovations MW 2:00 – 3:15 James McGuffee and Lynn Rudloff
American culture is based upon ideas from various sources over the breadth of human history. Additionally, our ideals of ingenuity and capitalism have produced the most technological society on the earth, leading to a wide range of innovations from the corn flake to the computer chip. This section focuses on how these ideas and innovations affect our lives. As part of our study, we will examine the historical impact of innovations and how modern ideas impact us today.

Ecology and Environment MW 3:30-4:45 Peter Beck and Bill Quinn
As the human population continues to grow, and as we place increasing demands upon the environment, problems such as global climate change, biodiversity loss, air and water pollution and deforestation have become increasingly prevalent. This is especially crucial as we realize that not only are human activities a primary cause of these environmental problems, but these problems will directly influence the quality of life for humans on earth. In this section of Freshman Studies, we will examine the impacts, causes and solutions of significant environmental problems--at local, state, national, and global levels--each of which highlights the conflict between promoting environmental conservation and economic development.