Curriculum : Christ College - The Honors College of Valparaiso University

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Course Descriptions: Fall 2008
Course Descriptions: Spring 2008

Christ College students are concurrently enrolled in one of Valparaiso University's other colleges--Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, or Nursing--where they earn their bachelor's degrees. Study in Christ College complements all academic programs, and many Christ College courses fulfill the University's general education requirements.

Christ College honors courses do not require more work than other courses; rather, they invite the more curious student into the rigors and rewards of the life of the mind by offering him or her an integrated approach to university studies and subtler methods of independent inquiry. The Christ College curriculum extends from freshman year to graduation.

Christ College students often spend a semester of the sophomore, junior, or senior year studying at one of Valparaiso University's overseas study centers in Cambridge, England; Puebla, Mexico; Reutlingen, Germany; Hangzhou, China; Namibia, Africa; or in other off-campus study programs. VU and Christ College credit may be earned for this work.

The Freshman Program

Texts and Contexts: Traditions of Human Thought

A two-semester study of great works of history, literature, philosophy, and religion from the earliest writings to the present day. Critical reading, writing, and discussion are emphasized. During the fall semester the entire freshman class writes and performs for the public an original full-length play with music. In the spring, freshmen debate timely issues before the campus community.

Typical Sophomore Year Coursework
Word and Image (4 credits) provides study of selected classic intellectual and literary texts and their relationships to works of art and music.

The Christian Tradition: Doubt, Belief, and Disbelief (3 credits) guides students in exploring the nature and purpose of Christian theology.

Interpretation in Humanities, Social Sciences, or Natural Sciences (4 credits) Interpretation provides an introduction to discipline-oriented interpretive skills as students examine primary materials in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences.

Typical Junior Year Coursework
Seminars (3-4 credits) Students choose from a variety of seminars offered each semester. Recent topics include:

African Politics and Literature
Inventing the Body
Drama and the Church
Medical Missions
Justice
Children, the Family, and Faith
Poe and Baudelaire
Freedom
Dostoevsky's World
The American Home
Women in Ancient China and Greece
The Scholar in Society

Typical Senior Year Coursework
Seminars (3-4 credits) Senior students choose additional seminars and have an option to write an honors thesis in conjunction with one of their courses.

Colloquium (1 credit) provides a capstone, integrative experience for seniors in which students explore the relationship between faith and contemporary culture or refine their understandings of their own spiritual journeys through autobiographical narrative.

Special Programs
Complementary major in humanities
Minor in humanities
Joint Admissions Program: Christ College--Valparaiso University School of Law

Facilities
Mueller Hall--a beautifully renovated building at the center of VU's campus, with multi-media lecture hall, classrooms and seminar rooms, faculty offices, reading room, presentation space, and student lounge/art gallery.

See also Christ College : Academic Advising