Central Curriculum Requirements

The Central Curriculum creates a common educational experience that provides a broad foundation for lifelong learning within a biblical worldview for all Louisiana College students. Students who complete the Central Core Curriculum will acquire knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world, demonstrate a foundation for intellectual and practical skills, and engage in personal and social responsibility.

After completing the Central Core Curriculum courses of study, students’ acquired knowledge of human cultures and of the physical and natural world will enable them to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the Bible’s content and basic Christian doctrines that enable the student to explain a reasoned basis for a commitment to Jesus Christ.
• Demonstrate knowledge of world civilization, cultural diversity, human social behavior, language, literature, and science.
• Recognize artistic elements (such as creativity, beauty, performance) and the cultural significance of the fine arts.

The foundation of intellectual and practical skills obtained during the Central Core Curriculum courses will enable students to:

• Demonstrate competency in written, oral, and technological communication skills.
• Demonstrate an ability to utilize a variety of critical thinking approaches to problem solving.

The Central Core Curriculum courses’ focus on personal and social responsibility will require students to:

• Acquire and apply biblical principles in making value judgments and personal decisions.
• Participate in service projects, organizations, athletics, or extracurricular activities to improve overall well being.
• Accept cultural diversity with respect and compassion, and demonstrate an understanding of global interdependence and responsibility.

The Central Core Curriculum student learning outcomes are assessed on an annual basis by faculty members from across the institution. This assessment helps to ensure an appropriate number of central core curriculum hours and seeks to demonstrate that the curriculum is accomplishing its stated objectives.

Central Curriculum in a Professional Discipline

Students completing a professional or pre-professional baccalaureate degree will have attained a level of achievement within an academic or professional discipline which will enable them either to begin a career in the discipline or to pursue graduate work in that field or an appropriately related discipline. Professional bachelor’s degrees and pre-professional degree tracks, such as, but not limited to the following, BSN, Applied Biology with Pre-Professional Tracks (Physician Assistant, Occupational Therapy, Medical, Engineering, etc.) are permitted to have Central Curriculum requirements specifically adapted to the profession but which must be consistent with the Central Curriculum competencies for all students.

The following courses in the professional and pre-professional programs meet the student learning outcome in the Central Curriculum for knowledge content of the major concepts and principles of natural science:

BI 160 /BI 161  General Biology: Cell and Lab

BI 162 /BI 163  General Biology: Animal Diversity and Lab

BI 225 /BI 226  Microbiology and Lab

BI 231 /BI 232  Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab

BI 233 /BI 234  Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab

CH 160 /CH 161  General Chemistry I and lab

CH 162 /CH 163  General Chemistry II and lab

PH 220 /PH 221  General Physics I and lab

PH 222 /PH 223  General Physics II and lab

Honors Central Curriculum Courses

The C.S. Lewis Honors Program offers a series of honors courses that align with the Central Curriculum courses and outcomes. If a student fails an honors course and is removed from the program, the student may not repeat the course. The grade stands on the transcript and the equivalent non-honors course(s) must be taken to fulfill the Central Curriculum requirement.