Spirituality sets humanity apart from the rest of the natural world. We are more than just biological beings vying for survival; we are social beings who, on our best days, cultivate care and compassion for our neighbors, even our enemies. Inspired by the revolutionary life of Jesus, the study of belief allows us to reflect upon our complex questions about God, the holy scriptures, and our service to others in light of God’s love and compassion. 

Undergraduate students complete the following two courses:

• BIBL 100 Introducing Biblical Literature OR BIBL 200 Exploring Biblical Literature 
• THEO 210 Christian Spirituality 

Undergraduate students also select one from the following options:

• THEO 140 or THEO 240
• MISS 100 Introduction to Christian World Missions
• PHIL 211 Faith and Philosophy

Students transitioning from the previous core can apply any BIBL or THEO credits to this requirement.
 

Because of Western thought’s profound influence on the intellectual, social and political ideologies of our world, including upon the Christian faith, we seek to engage in thoughtful and critical dialogue with this tradition.

Undergraduate students choose one of the following courses:

• INST 160 Heritage of Western Thought and Civilization: The Ancient World 
• INST 161 Heritage of Western Thought and Civilization: The Modern World 
• ENGL 204 European Masterpieces 
• HIST 201 US Survey to 1877
• HIST 202 US Survey Since 1877
• PHIL 100 The Heritage of Inquiry: An Introduction to Philosophy 
• POLI 214 Political Theory

In the increasingly diverse and interdependent world in which we live, it is crucial to understand the non-Western cultural perspectives that shape our ways of knowing within the human community. These traditions deepen our understanding of our complex, intersectional identities within the context of migration and globalization.

Undergraduate students choose one of the following courses:

• Any ANTH course 100-level or above
• Any modern language course 100-level or above
• BUSA 306 Global Business
• COMM 351 Digital Storytelling
• CRMJ 305 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
• DANC 375 World Dance
• ECON 350 Economic Development of Third World Countries
• EDUC 417 Multicultural Education
• ENGL 225 Post-colonial Women's Novels
• ENGL 235 World Fiction
• HIST 326 Native American History
• HIST 352 Russian History
• HIST 353 History of the Middle East
• HIST 354 History of Latin America
• HIST 371 The Byzantine Empire
• HIST 372 Eastern Orthodox History and Theology
• HIST 373 History and Culture of Arab Christianity
• HIST 440 The Black Church in Africa
• INST 213 Heritage of India
• INST 214 Africa’s Triple Heritage and the Modern World
• INST 218 The Heritage of Islam
• INST 275 Cross Cultural Studies
• LEAD 370 Cross Cultural Studies
• MUSI 250 Music in World Cultures
• POLI 324 Politics of the Middle East
• POLI 325 Politics of Africa
• POLI 326 Politics of Latin America
• PSYC 324 Cross Cultural Psychology
• SOCI 350 Poverty, Oppression, and Development in Africa
• THEA 325 Diversity in Theatre
• THEO 315 Theological Foundations of World Religions

Our ever-changing cultural landscapes make it crucial to understand the social forces that shape our ways of knowing within the human community. The study of cognition and behavior helps us break down walls and increase empathy for the other, reminding us that we are never alone. 

Undergraduate students choose one of the following courses:

• Any ANTH, SOCI, SOWK, POLI, or PSYC course 100-level or above
• ECON 203 Macroeconomics
• EDUC 211 Educational Psychology
• GEOG 201 World Geography
• COMM 104 Introduction to Human Communication
• MINL 101 - Culture, Ministry, and the Gospel

The study of mathematics points to the intricate order of the universe. Numbers are everywhere, and in our data-rich world, they help us both make sense of our existing reality and change that reality for the greater good.

Undergraduate students choose one of the following courses:

• Any CSCI, DTSC or MATH course 100-level or above
• MATH 220 / PSYC 220 / SOCI 220 Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences
• BUSA 221 Business Statistics
• CHEM 111: Applied Chemistry or 121/123: General Chemistry I
• PHYS 121 Introduction to College Physics (Algebra)
• PHYS 151 Introduction to University Physics (Calculus)
• POLI 318 Research in Political Science

Science helps us to investigate everything in the universe, from distant stars, to the biosphere, to the inner-workings of our own physical bodies. Our awareness of environmental degradation and subsequent care for the natural world have the potential to affect generations to come. Through evidence-based research, Eastern students will be ready to assess and apply scientific methods as responsible world citizens.

Undergraduate students choose one of the following courses:

• Any ASTR, BIOL, CHEM or PHYS course 100-level or above

Individuals are much more than emotionless machines. We believe in purpose and possibility. To that end, we desire to understand what it means to be human and to explore the ways that faith, reason, and justice help us create lasting change in ourselves and in our world.

Undergraduate students take one of the following courses:

• INST 150 Introduction to Faith, Reason and Justice (3 credits)
• INST 140 Introduction to Faith, Reason and Justice: Non-Residential and Virtual Community Students (3 credits)

Transfer students on the Saint Davids campus may take the following course:

• INST 151 Introduction to Faith, Reason and Justice (1 credit)

At Eastern University, we believe that God acts through individuals and the institutions they create to bring about reconciliation. This kind of transformational movement requires awareness, creativity, and clarity of vision in speaking truth to power and transforming our society for the greater good.

Undergraduate students choose one of the following courses:

• BIBL 345 Politics and the Bible
• BIBL 365 Sex, Violence, and the Bible
• BIBL 375 The Marginalized and the Bible
• BIOL 320 Environmental Issues
• BUSA 311 Business Ethics and Leadership
• CRMJ 220 Restorative Justice
• ECON 220 Faith and Economic Justice
• EDUC 417 Multicultural Education
• POLI 270 Justice in a Pluralistic Society
• INST 271 Justice in Caring for Vulnerable Populations
• PHIL 215 Intro to Medical Ethics
• PHIL 225 Christian Sexual Ethics
• PHIL 315 Bioethics
• POLI 250 Ethics and Public Policy
• SOCI 205 Introduction to the City
• SOCI 273 Social Institutions and Justice
• SOWK 110 Human Diversity and Social Interaction
• THEO 207 Christian Ethics
   

In our often-polarized society, we are exposed to a lot of noise. Sometimes, it’s difficult to discern what’s true and good within the cacophony. At Eastern, we believe in becoming intentional listeners, writers and speakers in order to build bridges instead of walls between one another. Moreover, we are energized by the ways that emerging technologies open up new opportunities for transformative communication.

Undergraduate students take the following course:

• COMM 120 Public Speaking

Social change often begins with the written word: a missive, the draft of a speech, a policy proposal. Through compelling and coherent writing, our perspectives are made manifest and real, that we might participate in the great conversations of our age. 

Undergraduate students complete the following two courses:

• ENGL 102 (3 credits): Students must achieve a grade of C or higher.
• A “W” course (Writing-intensive course taken within the major) (3 credits)
   

We possess the unique ability to inspire – to coax beauty out of chaos. At this intersection of the human journey and divine revelation, the creative and literary arts deepen our sense of what’s possible and allow us to offer witness and a sense of unending wonder to a world suffering from injustice. 

Undergraduate students choose one of the following courses:

• Any 3-Credit DANC, FAPA, MUSI, or THEA course 100-level or above
• BIBL 355 Film and Bible
• COMM 220 Art of Film
• COMM 351 Digital Storytelling
• COMM 361 Digital Media Production
• EDUC 370 Literature for Children and Adolescents
• ENGL 204 Masterpieces of European Literature
• ENGL 205 Survey of British Literature I
• ENGL 206 Survey of British Literature II
• ENGL 207 Studies in Drama
• ENGL 208 Studies in Poetry
• ENGL 210 The Literature of Women
• ENGL 220 Studies in the Novel and Short Fiction
• ENGL 236 Young Adult Literature
• ENGL 245W Introduction to Creative Writing
• ENGL 299 Seminar by the Sea: Gender Studies in Literature or Creative Writing
• ENGL 215 American Literature
• ENGL 216 American Literature
• ENGL 315 Irish Literature
• ENGL 316 Scottish Literature
• PHIL 222W Art and Culture
• PHIL 240 Narrative Medicine