In the Modular option, each of the courses is focused on a single area of study. As a result, you'll study a wide range of topics.

Introduction to the Creative Arts (ICA - GES125)

ICA highlights the crucial role of art in human experience. In interacting with works of art chosen from music, visual arts, and theatre, you will learn to look and listen critically, develop skill in the use of artistic language as a tool for interpretation and evaluation, and reflect on artistic works from a Christian worldview.

As part of the course you will attend world-class events such as The Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall, visual art exhibits at The Minneapolis Institute of Art, and plays at The Guthrie Theatre.

Christianity and Western Culture (CWC - GES130)

Some historical figures you’ll study:

• Plato and Aristotle
• Perpetua
• Augustine
• Benedict
• Hildegard of Bingen
• Aquinas
• Erasmus
• Machiavelli
• Luther and Calvin
• De Las Casas
• Descartes and Pascal
• Locke
• Wollstonecraft

The main questions you’ll explore:

1. How should Christians relate to their surrounding culture?
2. Who am I, and who should I be?
3. Who am I in relationship to others?
4. How do I answer these questions?

Inquiry Writing Seminar (IQ - GES160)

You’ll choose from topics such as:

• Change
• Christians and Unity
• Science in the Movies
• “You Don’t Say”: The Art of Nonverbal Communication
• Exploring Native American Cultures
• Blessings and Curses of a Social Media Life
• Ethics & Professional Sports
• Defining Success
• Making a Difference

You’ll hone your ability to explore and communicate ideas by learning to:

• Write from questions of depth, passion, and relevance
• Write with purpose that organizes, focuses, and motivates
• Write to converse with real and powerful people in ways that earn their respect
• Make effective presentations

You’ll have the opportunity to practice and refine your academic writing and speaking process through:

• Planning, prewriting, and researching to explore a topic
• Drafting to refine your ideas
• Revising to support your position
• Editing to communicate with clarity and grace

Other topics:

• Thesis formulation, development, and support
• Conventions of writing (grammar, usage, and mechanics)
• Ownership of information and creative work (issues of plagiarism, copyright, and ethical management of information)
• Information literacy competencies