LA 1010. Higher Education: A New Experience. (3 Credits)

This course orients students to Christian higher education though an engaging, student-centered approach that supports students in reaching for academic excellence and exploring their God-given talents.

LA 1020. Student Success Strategies. (3 Credits)

This course engages students in cultivating the abilities necessary for academic and professional success, including study and research skills, learning styles, use of technology, and critical thinking skills.

LA 1030. Career & Vocation Exploration. (1 Credit)

Career Vocation Exploration and Mentorship will guide participants through the career and vocation exploration process, with a particular emphasis on life and vocational transition. Participants will explore personal talents, strengths, and interests directly using a variety of assessment tools. A significant component of the course is the identification of mentors, chosen within participant’s career field(s) of interest, who will introduce students to the realities of various careers directly and authentically. As a result, course participants will develop individualized academic plans to enable them to reach their career and vocational goal. Note: This elective course is often scheduled for a specific targeted student population, e.g., female veteran students.

LA 3000. Teaching Methods of Classical Education. (3 Credits)

In LA 3000, students will explore the history, theory, and practice of Classical education and will develop practical knowledge of Classical pedagogy. Students first will examine, from a comparative perspective, various models and specific approaches to Classical Education currently in practice in the United States. Next, students will consider historical perspectives of Classical education through focused readings related to the Liberal Arts. Students will then have the opportunity to identify Classical pedagogical methods utilized in various subject areas and will develop initial teaching plans for specific topics within selected disciplinary areas. As part of the culminating project of the course, students will complete a practical field experience and complete a culminating project that combines theory and practice.
Prerequisites: (HIST 401, 4400, PSY 305 or 3050).

LA 4800. Practicum. (1-3 Credits)

The Practicum constitutes the culminating course for the Classical Education program and should be taken in conjunction with LA 4900 Student Teaching Experience in Classical Education. Each student will identify a topic related to Classical Education, explore its history by means of primary texts and secondary materials, and connect these historical ideas and perspectives with actual practice as observed or conducted by the student in the context of his/her student teaching experience. Students will work directly with a faculty advisor to identify and shape the topic, to compose an extensive paper, and present that paper publicly.
Prerequisites: (HIST 401 or 4400) and (LA 305 or 3000).

LA 4900. Classical Education Student Teaching. (1-6 Credits)

LA 4900 constitutes one of the culminating courses for the Classical Education program and should be taken in conjunction with LA 4800 Practicum. Students will complete student teaching experiences in various schools that have adopted a Classical paradigm for their curricula and principles of pedagogy. Students thus will acquire practical experience in a Classical education setting and will develop facility with teaching methods distinct to Classical education. Students will build upon the theoretical knowledge of Classical education gained through academic coursework and will apply that to their practical experiences in Classical schools.