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One of the best things about PLU is the number of choices you will have to tailor your education to your own needs and interests. While your education will be rigorous, it will, hopefully, also be stimulating and enjoyable. Be sure to consider your choices and perhaps think about making choices which are occasionally "outside of your box."
Your choice of Cores: The Distributive Core (Core I) and the International Core (Core II)
Core requirements are ones which give every student a common exposure to various academic disciplines, methodologies, theories and values. PLU is one of a few universities which provides students with a choice of cores: a distributive core which allows students to take courses from a wide range of disciplines, and an integrated core which consists mainly of team-taught seminars whose focus is international.
Core I is a traditional core. The requirements of Core I are diagrammed elsewhere in this handbook; are described in the printed university catalogue, and may be found at www.plu.edu/print/catalog/gur.html. Be sure to work with your academic adviser and read the catalogue and course schedule closely to make sure that the particular course you are interested in will meet a Core I requirement.
Core II, built around the theme, "International Core: Integrated Studies in the Contemporary World," focuses on thematic courses that are international in content and perspective; interdisciplinary in approach, and usually team-taught by faculty from different disciplines.
Students begin Core II by enrolling in INTC 111 (Fall) and INTC 112 (Spring), each of which are 4 credit courses. These courses survey the major developments in Western cultures, and their interactions with non-Western cultures, from ancient Greece and Rome through the turn of the twentieth century. After completing those courses, during their sophomore and junior years, students select four additional Core II seminars from a variety of thematic courses-for example, "The Experience of War," "Imaging the World: Comparative Pop Cultures in the Non-Western World," "Gender, Sexuality and Culture"; and "Energy, Resources and Pollution."
There are no fixed rules regarding who can or should choose one core rather than the other. Some majors, such as nursing, music, and education, require careful planning when deciding on Core I or II requirements, to make sure that a student can meet both complex major requirements and their core requirements. The main characteristics of students choosing Core II are an interest in international issues; an openness to studying in a team-teaching environment; and a willingness to be an active seminar participant.
In some cases it may be difficult to decide which core requirements are a better fit. If so, it is recommended that you enroll in INTC 111 in the Fall. Core II classes can be transferred to fulfill Core I requirements, but the reverse is not usually true.
Core II has significantly benefited many students. For example, Sarah Stauffer (PLU '00, major in History, minor in English with a secondary-education certificate) observed: "Many of the courses that have most profoundly influenced my life have been those within Core II. The provocative topics, the departmentally-integrated and team-taught nature of the classes, and the emphasis on inquiry, self-exploration and discovery are invaluable aspects of Core II."
January-term: An Intensive and Engaging Experience
All First-year students are required to enroll for a course during January-term. January-term is a four-week session beginning soon after January 1. A student typically would enroll in one 4-credit course during J-term and occasionally supplement that with a 1-credit PE activity course or other 1-credit course. Many students participate in J-term each of their years at PLU, but it is only required for first-year students.
Engaging International Study
PLU provides students with an incredible array of international study opportunities: some lasting one month, others extending a semester or more. It is always appropriate to begin thinking early about international study opportunities, and the Wang Center for International Programs is the place to begin. (www.plu.edu/~inpr or x7577).
Particularly during the January-term, students and faculty go literally around the world. Utilizing our one-month January term, generally about 300 students will take the opportunity to travel and study with PLU faculty. These explorations abroad are often done in or after the sophomore year, although a few first-year students participate as well. During January-term 2003, for example, classes will travel to places such as France, Namibia, Trinidad, Cuba and China, to name just a few of the many international study opportunities available. Each international study class has its own set of requirements to qualify for participation and additional costs associated with travel.
One important form of preparation for semester-long international study is to talk with your academic advisor to determine when international study would fit with your major or career plans and plan your schedule so that international study will complement your major and graduation plans. Usually semester-long programs are done during the junior year. Some of the programs are PLU-sponsored, such as our semesters in Trinidad and in China; while others are operated in collaboration with universities abroad.
The process of applying for international study begins by completing an application available in the Wang Center for International Programs and making an appointment with one of the international study advisors. The advisor will provide you with information about the various study sites and prerequisite requirements for individual programs. They can also tell you about special grants and scholarships. In addition, there are regularly scheduled study abroad fairs in the University Center where you have the chance to meet with program directors, faculty and participants in all PLU sponsored international study programs.
While not every international study program requires proficiency in a foreign language; your options for international study will be greater if you have adequate foreign language training.
Interdisciplinary Programs
PLU has long offered interdisciplinary programs and has a substantial array of programs which can provide an excellent complement to other studies. Some interdisciplinary programs offer complementary majors and minors as well. First-year students are welcome to take courses in these programs and consider the opportunities they provide.
Environmental Studies is an integrative study of the global impact of human civilization on our planet's natural environment. The program encourages students to blend many perspective on environmental issues into their lives and their education. (www.plu.edu/~envt)
Legal Studies examines the study of law from the academic viewpoints of the social sciences, humanities, the arts, business and education. An important emphasis of this program is the development of a critical understanding of the functions of law and the mutual impacts of law and society. (www.plu.edu/~legalstd)
Women's Studies is based on the study of women in culture, society and history and incorporates gender into other basic categories of analysis, including the dynamics of social change, the creation and transmission of cultural construction of our physical and intellectual characteristics, and the origins and nature of current theories and social issues. (www.plu.edu/~womenstu)
The Americas examines the comparative histories, cultures and contemporary issues shared by the two continents in the Western Hemisphere and reflects the reality that this country is an integral part of the culturally diverse and increasingly interconnected contemporary world. (www.plu.edu/~pols)
Global Studies focuses on the formation and emergence of the modern world and its growing economic, cultural, political and ecological interdependence. The global studies program provides students with the knowledge, perspectives and skills they need to understand and function effectively in today's world. (www.plu.edu/~glst)
Chinese Studies provides a broad foundation in Chinese language, culture and history, and an opportunity to study China's religious-philosophical world view and economic structure. (www.plu.edu/~csp)
Scandinavian Area Studies offers a broad perspective on Scandinavia while developing useful analytical and language skills to provide a more complete understanding of the dynamic role of Scandinavia in the world today. (www.plu.edu/~scan)
Publishing and Printing Arts offers students the opportunity to learn about the publishing field through learning how the publication process works and to have actual experience in printing techniques.
Volunteer Opportunities: Something for Everyone
You will be amazed at the wide range of opportunities for volunteering or studying off campus. Many in-coming students have experience volunteering and PLU will provide many chances to continue helping others.
The Center for Public Service and the Volunteer Center (www.plu.edu/~voluntr) have hundreds of volunteer opportunities. You can work with children, seniors or people with disabilities, to name just a few possibilities.
There are opportunities which fit a variety of schedules and levels of interest. It is possible to volunteer only once, or be very active throughout the year. There are chances to work alone or work with others. There are programs which are close to campus and ones available for people with their own transportation or who are able to use the convenient public transportation system.
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