The Union University Core
Union University provides excellent liberal arts based undergraduate education; the foundation for this education is the core curriculum. The core curriculum provides our students with the opportunity to gain foundational knowledge across the range of scholarship and experience, become skilled in the acquisition and application of that knowledge, and develop a love of virtuous thinking and living. The core provides a common grounding in the knowledge, skills, and virtues which we believe all Union graduates should possess while providing a foundation for specialization in majors and minors as well as careers and lives of constructive learning. Union's core philosophy does not prescribe any particular selection of core courses. Rather, it establishes the goals of the core curriculum as a whole. Specific goals mentioned below can be actively pursued in many, if not all, courses in the core curriculum. We intend that connections between disciplines will be made overtly in the classroom and discussed by faculty and students alike. At all stages of our students' education, the Union faculty is intent upon academic excellence for ourselves and for our students.
God's creativity and governance shape all of life, make all knowledge possible, and unify the academic disciplines. In light of this, we want our students to know God and to develop a maturing awareness, understanding, and appreciation of God. We want them to acquire broad biblical knowledge and detailed knowledge of portions of the Scriptures. We want them to learn the essential doctrines that have guided historic Christianity and we desire that our students exercise the gifts and skills of living in the knowledge of God.
Union students need to know and love God's creation: anything physical and metaphysical which is distinct from God. They need to know about the inanimate from the subatomic to the cosmic, and about life, from its simplest to its most complex forms. Interactions between inanimate and animate are important to learn, as are the abstract concepts that have guided the study of the cosmos. They should understand how scientific views have changed, be skilled in scientific methodologies, and know their advantages and limitations. They should also understand and appreciate things we cannot touch, such as logic, numbers, goodness and evil, beauty and ugliness. Guided by Christian ideals, students should know how our understanding of creation can be used to improve life, alleviate suffering, and inspire beauty.
Union students need to know and love the human realm of creation. We want our students to understand (and wonder at) the physical, spiritual, and imaginative nature of humanity—in themselves, in others, in communities, and in cultures past and present. It is important for them to know the great ideas that have shaped how we live and think and to contemplate the creativity and self-reflection that so distinguish people from the rest of creation. We want them to see models of excellence in others that they may seek excellence for themselves. They need skills associated with human interaction. Finally, in all our studies of humanity, we want our students to be guided by Christian conceptions of human identity and purpose and to imitate Christ in service to others.
Throughout these academic pursuits and built into core courses, we want our students to develop a Christ-like character. The core curriculum at Union not only challenges students to know and to be skilled, it also challenges students to perceive and pursue virtue in their studies, social experiences, and in all areas of life. Knowledge and skill need guidance; that guidance comes from cultivated and practiced virtue. There are many ways to nurture Christian character; we will encourage students in the pursuit of the virtues presented in Scripture and in the Western tradition, such as the Beatitudes, the fruit of the Spirit, and the seven classic virtues.
The purpose of the core curriculum is to establish a common foundation of knowledge, skill, and virtue. These are valuable in their own right and also serve as a base for formal studies and life-long learning. The core challenges students to appreciate all legitimate human endeavors as godly calling and to discover such calling in their own lives. It provides opportunity for understanding, action, and faith to dwell together. The core provides the intellectual underpinning for engaging with the ideas of history and the issues of our day. The productive unity of the core will be found in the minds and actions of the faculty and students who work to see humankind, nature, and God together in as much of their extraordinary complexity as we can master. We intend that the core and additional formal studies bring to life the age-old belief that all truth is God's truth.
General Core Expected Outcomes
By successfully completing the work set out in the Union core curriculum, students should interact with the master disciplines in such a way as to help unlock all the others. Thus, the core offerings should improve students' capacities in writing, speaking, reading, calculating, and thinking. In concert with these improved capacities, students should attain greater sophistication with regard to their understanding and use of the arts, history, the social sciences, mathematics, and the natural and physical sciences. In accordance with Union's emphasis on the integration of faith and learning, the core emphasizes knowledge of the Bible and the relation of Christian worldview to all the other subjects.
General Core Requirements for All
Humanities Courses: |
Christian Studies, 6 hours
CHR 111
CHR 112
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Composition, 6 hours
ENG 111
ENG 112
*Honors students may substitute HON 205 and HON 215 for ENG 111 and ENG 112.
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History, 6 hours
HIS 101
HIS 102
*Students seeking elementary teacher licensure must substitute HIS 211 and HIS 212.
*Honors students may substitute HON 225 for HIS 102.
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Literature, 6 hours
One of the sequences below:
Sequence A:
ENG 201
ENG 202
Sequence B (select any two):
FRE 311
FRE 312
FRE 317
Sequence C (select any two):
SPA 311
SPA 312
SPA 316
SPA 317
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Fine Arts, 3 hours
ART 210
*Students pursuing the B.A./B.S. Music or B.M. Degree substitute MUS 220 for ART 210.
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Social and Behavioral Sciences, 3 hours
One of the following:
ECO 211
ECO 212
HON 225
PHL 240
PSC 211
PSY 213
SOC 211
*BSBA students are required to take ECO 211.
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Laboratory Science, 8 hours
One course from each group:
Group A
CHE 105
CHE 111
PHY 111
PHY 213
PHY 231
Group B
BIO 112
BIO 100
BIO 110
BIO 221
*Honors students may substitute HON 235 for one of the science courses.
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Mathematics, 3 hours
Any mathematics course MAT 101 or higher.
See your advisor for mathematics requirements or options for your major.
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Oral Communication, 3 hours
One of:
COM 112
COM 235
*College of Nursing and Bachelor of Social Work students meet this requirement by successfully completing prescribed major courses.
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Physical Education, 2 hours
PEWS 100
And one physical activity elective course (such as Golf or Volleyball).
*Not required for students over age 24.
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TOTAL GENERAL CORE HOURS, 46 hours
Confer with your faculty advisor for limitations of options required in some programs of study.
In addition to the above requirements, each major will address Christian thought and action issues in a capstone experience.
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Specific Core Requirements
Specific Core Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree (18 hours minimum)
(In Addition to the General Core Requirements)
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Option One. Complete Group A plus at least one 3-hour course from Group B and at least one 3-hour course from Group C.
A. Ancient or Foreign Language (12 hours): One language for 2 years or two languages for 1 year each; 111 or higher,
B. Fine, Performing Arts, and Communication Arts: Courses selected from Art, Music, or Communication Arts.
C. Humanities: Courses selected from Christian Studies, English, History, Honors, Intercultural Studies, Languages or Philosophy.
CSC 105 may fulfill 3 hours from either Group B or Group C.
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Option Two. Complete Group A plus at least one 3-hour course from Group B and at least one 3-hour course from Group C.
A. Ancient or Foreign Language (6 hours): One language, 111 or higher, for 1 year.
B. Fine, Performing Arts, and Communication Arts: Courses selected from Art, Music, or Communication Arts.
C. Humanities: Courses selected from the following areas: Christian Studies, English, History, Honors, Intercultural Studies, Languages or Philosophy.
CSC 105 may fulfill 3 hours from either Group B or Group C.
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Specific Core Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree (18 hours minimum)
(In Addition to the General Core Requirements)
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Option One. A minimum of 2 courses from 2 Groups and 1 course from the 3rd Group
A. MAT 111 or higher; and/or Computer Science
B. Natural Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
C. Social Science (Economics, Finance, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology)
Due to common content CSC 105 and CSC 115 may apply to A but not both.
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Option Two. A minimum of 8 hours in 2 of the 3 Groups
A. MAT 111 or higher; and/or Computer Science
B. Natural Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
C. Social Science (Economics, Finance, Geography, Political Science, Psychology,Sociology)
Due to common content CSC 105 and CSC 115 may apply to Mathematics but not both.
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Specific Core Requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
(In Addition to the General Core Requirements, 36 hours)*
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ACC 211
ACC 212
BAD 224
BLAW 321
CSC 105
ECO 212
FIN 320
MAT 114
MGT 310
MGT 311
MGT 218
MKT 228
* Upper-level courses must be earned with a grade of C or higher
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Specific Core Requirements for a Bachelor of Social Work
(In Addition to the General Core Requirements, 18 hours)
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SOC 211- 3 hours
Modern Foreign Language or Culture (see ICS Major for options) - 3 hours
Advisor-approved electives outside Social Work - 9 hours
Modern Foreign Language - 3 hours
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Specific Core Requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Engineering
(in Addition to the General Core Requirements, 24 hours)
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MAT 212
MAT 213
MAT 314
MAT 208 OR MAT 315
PHY 231
PHY 232
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Courses Beyond the Required General Education Core
Majors and Minors
By the beginning of the junior year, each student is required to select one subject as his/her major and one as his/her minor, with the exceptions of B.M., B.S.N., B.S.E., B.S.W., B.F.A. degrees and majors in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Chemical Physics, Conservation Biology, Cybersecurity, Engineering, Exercise Science/ Wellness, Sport Management, and Athletic Training. To declare a major and/or minor, the student must go to the dean's office of the college/school that houses the major/minor and complete the required paperwork. The declared major/minor will then be entered into the student's electronic record and an advisor will be assigned. All juniors are required to have a Degree Audit with an Academic Center Degree Auditor or the Director of Educator Preparation.
A major consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours; a minor consists of a minimum of 18 hours. Requirements are detailed within the departments of the Catalogue.
Courses applying toward a major(s) or minor(s) cannot apply toward another major(s) or minor(s). Of the requirements in the major, 15 hours must be from upper-level courses (courses numbered above >299) earned at Union University. Of the requirements in the minor, 6 hours must be from upper-level courses earned at Union. All majors and minors must be approved by the major professors and the Registrar.
To satisfy the requirements for the major/minor, only grades of “C” or above in upper-level courses may be included. A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be maintained in each major and minor.
The student's choice of a major may require the student select a Track, Endorsement, Emphasis, or Concentration. Track is used to describe different curricular paths culminating in the completion of the same degree. References to Endorsement are applicable only to the Teacher Education Program. No notation of the Endorsement or Track will appear on the student's transcript or diploma. The terms Emphasis and Concentration are used interchangeably to denote specializations of content related to the major. These notations appear on the transcript and diploma as a Specialization of the major.
Independent Studies
Independent studies are available for highly motivated students interested in areas not covered by the regular courses and having both aptitude and discipline to do independent research. The program places major responsibility upon the student to identify an area of interest and seek the help of a professor qualified in that area to structure and formally define the course of study and assess the quality of work done.
Any junior or senior who has a minimum GPA of 2.75 is eligible to apply for independent study. Exceptional cases may be reviewed by the student's college/school dean.
No student will be permitted to enroll for more than one independent study per semester or term. The maximum hours which any student may apply toward graduation by independent study is nine.
No Catalogue course may be offered by independent study. No course taken by independent study may substitute for any specific course required by the core curriculum, a program for teacher licensure, or any course required by a major or minor.
Required forms are found on mobile.uu.edu. Students should check with the Academic Center for registration particulars.
Departmental Special Studies
Departmental Special Studies are group studies designed to go beyond or between courses listed in the Catalogue. Such courses may not parallel or substitute for regular catalogue courses. A student may apply up to 12 hours in Special Studies toward graduation. Restrictions within departments may apply; check departmental listings.
Study Abroad Program Studies
The Study Abroad program, housed in Union's Center for Intercultural Engagement, provides structured support for both domestic and international curricular and co-curricular initiatives. Working with faculty and students, the Study Abroad program uses expertise in off-site travel, course transcription management, and financial aid. With a clear protocol prior to departure, support during the experience, and a thorough debriefing process upon return, the Study Abroad program ensures that students have a safe, academically rigorous, and interculturally relevant experience. For a thorough explanation of Study Abroad Programming at Union University, please contact the Study Abroad Coordinator or visit the Center for Intercultural Engagement's website.
Union's Study Abroad program includes direct (concurrent) enrollment, independent institutes or providers, institutional agreements, and third-party providers. Furthermore, the Study Abroad program uses a rigorous set of criteria for identifying and cultivating relationships with high-quality, ethically-grounded programs around the world that provide optimal experiences for students. This ensures that we support domestic and international programs that have high academic standards, provide opportunities for students to engage with people from the host institution and the surrounding community, offer a safe living environment, and have an adequate support system for the student. The Center for Intercultural Engagement adheres to the Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad put forth by the Forum on Education Abroad.
Continuing Education
Union University has a Continuing Education Program for those who wish to enhance personal or professional knowledge but not necessarily a degree. Courses offered will be determined by the groups desiring the courses and the instructors. These courses are offered only when there is a sufficient demand. See the School of Adult and Professional Studies for more details.