Seaver Core
For Students Entering 2024-2025 and Beyond
The Seaver Core is the foundation of the Seaver College liberal arts curriculum and supports the University’s Christian mission by grounding students in skills, knowledge, and perspectives in order to prepare students for leadership in an interconnected, innovative, and competitive world by offering options for various paths of study in key fields of knowledge. Recognizing that an awareness of difference and diversity is essential to success in the 21st century, the curriculum explores cultures, values, and ideas that situate the student within the global community and foster the ability to empathize with others. In the Seaver Core curriculum, the University’s emphasis on Christian scripture, history, and theology is made explicit through the Christianity and Culture sequence. While some Core courses provide students opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, the ultimate goal of the Seaver Core is to develop the whole person and to challenge students to consider and work toward a meaningful life.
Foundations
The Seaver Core's Foundations courses are essential for all students, offering a shared academic experience and a solid foundation for future studies. Students must complete the six required courses.
Connections
The Connections portion of the Seaver Core curriculum is designed to allow students to pursue their studies in the liberal arts while emphasizing their own interests.
Skills
The Seaver Core includes a Skills section as a space for knowledge and skills that fall outside of traditional academic disciplines but are beneficial to students’ total development.
Alternate Pathways
We offer a pair of compelling alternatives for fulfilling Seaver Core requirements: The Great Books Colloquium and Social Action and Justice Colloquium. In both cases, students are able to satisfy five course requirements.
Competencies
Competencies are key outcomes Seaver College expects all graduates to achieve. These skills are developed through the Core program, the Junior Writing Portfolio, and courses focused on writing, presentation, research, and cultural competence. Relevant courses may be part of the Core curriculum or a student's major or minor.