The first-year program provides a supportively challenging context in which to begin the quest for, and adventure of, a larger vision for life. University education is about more than skills; at PLU it is about liberating students for critical and committed living, combining well developed critical capacities with compassion and vision for service in a multicultural, ideologically plural world.
In addition to orientation and advising programs, the first-year program is composed of three requirements. One of the two seminars must be taken in the student's first semester. First-year program requirements must be completed during the student's first year.
This requirement must be met by all students entering PLU with fewer than 20 semester hours.
Inquiry Seminars are courses specially designed for first-year students, which will introduce students to the methods and topics of study within a particular academic discipline or field. Inquiry Seminars also emphasize the academic skills that are at the center of the First-year Experience Program. Working with other first-year students in a small-class setting that promotes active, seminar-style learning, students practice fundamental skills of literacy, thinking and community as they operate within that particular discipline. In addition to fulfilling major and minor requirements, an Inquiry Seminar may fulfill no more than one GUR.
All first-year students must enroll in a course during J-term. In addition to fulfilling major or minor requirements, a course taken during J-term used to fulfill this requirement may fulfill no more than one GUR.
A course in mathematics or applications of mathematics, with emphasis on numerical and logical reasoning and on using appropriate methods to formulate and solve problems. This requirement may be satisfied by any four semester hours from mathematics (except MATH 091), by CSCE 115 or by STAT 231. This requirement may also be satisfied by the completion (with at least a B average) of the equivalent of four years of college preparatory mathematics (through mathematical analysis or calculus or equivalent) in high school.
In fulfilling the Math Reasoning Requirement, students with documented disabilities will be given reasonable accommodations as determined by the Coordinator for Students with Disabilities and the appropriate faculty member in consultation with the student.
A science course that teaches the methods of science, illustrates
its applications and limitations, and includes a laboratory
component. At least one of the courses taken to meet this requirement,
or to meet the Distributive Core's Natural Science, Computer Science, Mathematics requirement, must be in the physical or biological
sciences.
All students must complete four semester hours in an approved writing
course. First-year students satisfy this requirement through the Writing Seminar.
A course in each of the following two lines.
- Alternative Perspectives (four semester hours) – A
A course that creates an awareness and understanding of diversity in the United States, directly addressing issues such as ethnicity, gender, disability, racism, or poverty.
- Cross-Cultural Perspectives (four semester hours) – C
A course that enhances cross-cultural understandings through examination of other cultures. This requirement may be satisfied in one of three ways:
- A course focusing on the culture of non-Euro-American societies;
- A foreign language course numbered 201 or above (not sign language) used to satisfy the entrance requirement, or completion through the first year of college level of a foreign language (not sign language) other than that used to satisfy the foreign language entrance requirement. (A foreign language completed through the second year of college level may also be used to simultaneously satisfy Option I, or a completion of a foreign language through the first year of college level may also be used to simultaneously satisfy Option II of the College of Arts and Sciences requirements [see below]); or
- Participation in an approved semester-long study abroad program (January term programs are evaluated individually.)
Note: Four semester hours of Perspectives on Diversity courses may be used to fulfill another general university requirement. The remaining four hours must be a course that does not simultaneously fulfill any other general university requirement. These four semester hours may, however, satisfy a requirement in the major or minor.
Transfer students entering as juniors or seniors must take one Perspectives on Diversity course (four semester hours) at PLU that does not simultaneously fulfill another general university requirement, or must show that they have satisfied both the Alternative Perspectives and Cross-Cultural Perspectives lines of the requirement.
Four different physical education activity courses, including PHED 100. One hour of credit may be earned through approved sports participation (PHED 250). All activities are graded on the basis of A, Pass, or Fail.
A substantial project, paper, practicum, or internship that culminates and advances the program of an academic major. The end product must be presented to an open audience and critically evaluated by faculty in the student's field. With approval of the student's major department, interdisciplinary capstone courses such as the Global Studies Research Seminar may fulfill this requirement.
Arts/Literature (eight semester hours, four from each line) - AR, LT
- Art, Music, or Theatre – AR
- Literature (English or Languages and Literatures) – LT
Philosophy (four semester hours) – PH
Note: Logic courses do not fulfill this requirement.
Religion (eight semester hours; only four allowed per line)
Transfer students entering as juniors or seniors must take four semester hours of religion (from Biblical Studies - R1 or Christian Thought, History and Experience - R2) unless presenting eight transfer semester hours of religion from other regionally accredited colleges or universities. Integrative and Comparative Religious Studies (R3) courses will not fulfill the general university requirement in Religious if transferring into PLU with a junior or senior standing.
- Line 1: Biblical Studies – R1
- Line 2: Christian Thought, History, and Experience – R2
- Line 3: Integrative and Comparative Religious Studies – R3
Social Sciences (eight semester hours, four from each line) - S1, S2
- Anthropology, History, or Political Science – S1
- Economics, Psychology, Sociology, or Social Work - S2
Natural Sciences, Computer Science, Mathematics (four semester hours) - NS
Students
accepted into the International Honors Program are not required to
fulfill the Distributive Core (Line 8) of the General University Requirements. See the International Honors Program section of this catalog for details on requirements for entrance into the program and its curriculum.