Core Curriculum Rationale

The Geneva College core provides the framework for a student’s education. The core curriculum is rooted in the Foundational Concepts of Christian Education and helps to achieve the college’s aims and college outcomes by providing a common core of liberal studies intended to promote growth in the student’s knowledge, skills, understanding and attitude.  The first five institutional student learning outcomes are also designated as outcomes of the core.

1. Worldview: Students can articulate the nature, strengths and weaknesses, and uses of worldviews, can use worldview analyses critically, and articulate the critical elements of an evangelical, reformed Christian worldview.
2. Bible knowledge and Christian life: Students can articulate the essential Biblical truths of the Christian faith, have evaluated their own faith with respect to those truths, have considered the claims of Christ on their own life, and articulate their calling to participate biblically in relationships, family, church and vocation.
3. Communication: Students communicate clearly, responsibly, and with integrity in written and oral forms, and evaluate the written, oral and artistic communications of others based on the same criteria.
4. Liberal Arts and Critical Thinking: Students demonstrate value in developing the lifelong learning skills necessary to critically respond to world-shaping intellectual and artistic works, and complement those skills with lifelong habits that nurture physical, mental and emotional well-being.
5. Cultural Engagement: Civic - Students offer analysis of both historic and current causes and effects of contemporary cultural issues and consider active participation in civic life as shaped by principles of Biblical justice.
   Cross-cultural – In understanding and interacting across cultures, students demonstrate cultural discernment and analysis, reflecting Biblical principles of humility and justice.

The parts of the core relate to each other in a network of intentional support, application, reinforcement, and development. In a similar way, major programs and electives are designed to reinforce and build upon the skills, knowledge, and perspectives developed in the core. As a result of this total educational experience, students are encouraged to realize and embrace the Biblical concept of servanthood and to recognize their calling as stewards of all that God has granted to their care: their personal lives, their dealings with others, and their treatment of the whole creation. In attitude, understanding, leading and serving, they should exhibit a commitment to honor God.