CCE 110. Western Culture & Worldview. (3 Credits)

This course explores the underpinnings of Western Culture by focusing on crucial historical/cultural moments and the artifacts these civilizations produced. The Classical heritage and Christianity (at least as practiced in Europe and America) have both competed and cooperated for 2000 years, and the work in this class will highlight their interactions that define a Western Christian worldview in the present moment. Through a study of these developments, students will be able to situate themselves culturally and better engage worldviews and cultures other than their own.

CCE 120. Western Thought & Worldview. (3 Credits)

This course is a Christ-centered reflection on the great conversation between the leading minds of Western philosophy. Mindful of Paul’s admonition to avoid captivity to ideas contrary to Christ, and equipped with the tools of logic and worldview analysis, students engage the great ideas of ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary philosophy. Along the way, students are trained to give clear definitions, to state worthwhile theses, and to defend them with cogent arguments. There is a particular emphasis on defending the merits of a biblical understanding of the world (apologetics), living a Christian life (ethics) and the relevance of philosophy (evaluating and applying worldviews) to our many vocations. This class is part of the Common Concordia Core required for all traditional students.

CCE 130. Christian Citizen. (3 Credits)

This course serves as a Freshman Seminar and provides a common intellectual experience to all students by engaging students in important questions, discussions, and activities on responsible social action and civic engagement as a Christian citizen. The course defines citizenship broadly---wishing to be good neighbors as well as good citizens---while looking at citizenship from both a Christian and secular context. Based on readings and resources students will explore vocation and are encouraged to live out their vocations as student, citizen, neighbor, professional, and Christian in a thoughtful and constructive manner. As service is essential to citizenship, the course creates an opportunity for students to engage in moral discernment, active engagement and service at the local, national, and/or international level(s). This class is part of the Common Concordia Core required for all traditional students.

CCE 135. Citizenship. (3 Credits)

This course provides a common intellectual experience to all students by engaging students in important questions, discussions, and activities on responsible social action and civic engagement. The course defines citizenship broadly---wishing to be good neighbors as well as good citizens. Based on readings and resources students will explore vocation and are encouraged to live out their vocations as student, citizen, neighbor, and professional in a thoughtful and constructive manner. As service is essential to citizenship, the course creates an opportunity for students to consider how their lives of service will benefit their community and nation. This class is part of the Common Concordia Core required for all traditional students.

CCE 136. Worldviews. (3 Credits)

This course provides a common intellectual experience to all students by engaging students in important questions, discussions, and activities on understanding American culture through the lens of religion. If one wishes to understand American culture, one needs to understand one of the single, biggest factors in shaping that culture, the institution of religion. The course defines religion broadly---advocating neither for nor against the institution of religion, nor any of its aspects. The goal is understanding American culture by overviewing the most prominent religious institutions, their stories, and their impact upon society. By the end of the class, students will better grasp how American culture has been and continues to be shaped by religion.

CCE 140. Science & Humanity. (3 Credits)

This course is a team-taught, interdisciplinary course that will promote scientific literacy by developing student understanding of how the natural sciences, social sciences, and technology are practiced, while at the same time providing the foundation for the required lab sciences and social sciences courses. By focusing on both the natural and social sciences, students will learn the types of questions asked by each, the ways knowledge is acquired in each, and how to evaluate the claims made by each. The increased impact of computer science (modelling, algorithms, big data) on science and society will also be covered. Ethical considerations of the uses of scientific knowledge form a key part of this course.