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The Common Curriculum
Cynthia Price, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs

Few of the nation's comprehensive universities offer a genuine four-year core curriculum required of all students. Seattle Pacific University is one of them. Consisting of eight courses, the "Common Curriculum" links the liberal arts and real-life human issues, and is at the very heart of an SPU education. The courses of the Common Curriculum combine with an Exploratory Curriculum in specific disciplines and major requirements to make up the path to a baccalaureate degree at Seattle Pacific.

Freshman Path. As a first-quarter freshman, you'll begin the Common Curriculum by taking a University Seminar, an intensive exploration of an interdisciplinary topic. With a maximum of 20 students enrolled in each Seminar, this group stays connected by taking freshman Common Curriculum courses together. The University Seminar professor will serve as the academic advisor until the student select an intended major.

Transfer Path. If you transfer to Seattle Pacific after completing an approved transfer associate degree from a Washington, Oregon or California college, you are exempt from UCOR 1000, 2000 and 3000 and from all Exploratory Curriculum requirements. Your competency requirements in basic math, English composition and foreign language are also considered complete. All students are required to complete foundations courses at SPU. If you transfer with fewer than 90 credits, you will be required to complete 15 foundations credits (UFDN 1000, 2000 and 3100). If you transfer with 90 credits or more, you will be required to complete only 10 foundations credits (UFDN 3001 and 3100). Students who transfer to the University without an approved transfer associate degree will have their transcripts reviewed on a course-by-course basis to determine which credits will transfer toward SPU's degree requirements.

USEM 1000 University Seminar (5) This seminar introduces first-year college students to the liberal arts at a Christian university through the investigation of a special topic. Students will write, speak, and practice critical thinking, participate in group projects, and use electronic and print learning resources. As an introduction to university life, the seminar helps students explore the meaning of Christian vocation and develop a love of learning. Seminar instructors will serve as faculty advisor to students in their seminar through the freshman year. Descriptions of particular seminars are available in the yearly class schedule. Class open to: Freshmen.

USEM 4930 Practicum: Mentoring Freshmen (1-3) Registration Approval: Instructor. Serve as a mentor to Freshmen in a University seminar class under the direction of faculty. May be repeated for credit 2 times. Class not open to: Freshmen and Sophomores.

UCOR 1000 The Arts and the Christian Community (5) This course considers the question "Who am I and for what have I been created?" Through examining literary and artistic works that have shaped cultures past and present, it explores how we are created to be unique persons and to be in community with others. Key themes are artistic ways of knowing individualism and conformity, and faith as a formative virtue. Class open to: Freshmen.

UCOR 2000 The West and the World (5) Prerequisites: UFDN 1000 and UCOR 1000. This course considers the question "From where have we come and where are we going?" It explores the history of interaction between the West and the World from the dawn of the modern global age (about 1500) to the present. How has Western civilization been influenced by and influenced other cultures? Key themes are ideas, inventions, and systems of interaction. The virtue of hope motivates service as the Christian response to a constantly changing world. Class not open to: Freshmen and Seniors.

UCOR 3000 Belief, Morality and Modern Mind (5) Prerequisites: UFDN 2000 and UCOR 2000. This course considers the question "How do I know what is true and how should I act on that knowledge?" It explores questions about Christian faith and practice that arise from modern developments in philosophy and science. Key themes are authority, reason, personal meaning, ethics,and love as the Christian response to God's creation and humankind. Class not open to: Freshmen.

UFDN 1000 Christian Formation (5) This course introduces the processes and practices of Christian formation, as reflected throughout the history of the Christian Church. Christian life is formed by distinctive beliefs, practices, attitudes and virtues. Every student, regardless of religious background, will engage texts, written and non-written, ancient and modern, that foster these characteristics of the Christian life. Class open to: Freshmen.

UFDN 2000 Christian Scriptures (5) Prerequisites: UFDN 1000 and UCOR 1000. This course explores the formative role that Christian Scriptures perform within the community of believers. It seeks to introduce students to the literature and theology of both Old and New Testaments and to provide them with the necessary skills to make responsible use of Scripture as the church's principal authority in nurturing a Christian's faith and witness. Class not open to: Freshmen and Seniors.

UFDN 3001 Christian Scriptures (5) This course is only open to transfer students who begin their studies at SPU as juniors or seniors. Explores the formative role that Christian Scriptures perform within the community of believers. It seeks to introduce students to the literature and theology of both Old and New Testaments and to provide them with the necessary skills to make responsible use of Scripture as the church's principal authority in nurturing a Christian's faith and witness. Course equivalent: UFDN 2000. Attributes: Foundation; and Upper-Division.

UFDN 3100 Christian Theology (5) Prerequisites:  UCOR 2000 and UFDN 2000 or UFDN 3001. This course studies the basic doctrines and practices of historic Christianity, such as the being, attributes, and workings of the Triune God; the nature, fallenness, and redemption of human beings; the character and mission of the church; the disciplines and duties of personal faith; and the hope for "last things." Attention will be given to major formative events and key persons in the history of the church that have helped to shape what Christians believe and how they live. Class not open to: Freshmen.