Conceptual Framework for Core Curriculum
John Wesley advocated using four sources for reflection that would permit relevant, theologically-informed engagement with a rapidly changing world (as named the Wesleyan “quadrilateral” by Albert C. Outler in 1964). Scripture is Wesley’s main source, along with reason, tradition, and experience. Wesley also emphasized the major themes of the redemption narrative (i.e., (1) sinful human nature infused by God’s prevenient grace, (2) justification by faith in Jesus Christ, and (3) sanctification into the fullness of love through the power of the Holy Spirit).
The four elements of Wesley’s quadrilateral form the framework for our 31 general education credits and 9 credits above this core that are required of all undergraduate students. Our curriculum is taught from a Christian perspective that incorporates the four areas identified by Wesley:
- Scripture-Students will need to be well-grounded in the content of the Bible such that they are able to think theologically about the issues they confront.
- Tradition-Students will need exposure to the great thinking of the past.
- Experience-Students will need to learn experientially, drawing from methods and insights in their discipline.
- Reason-Students must be able to reason, developing and refining abilities in critical thinking, reasoning, and creative problem-solving, using today’s technological tools.
This curriculum reflects the belief that our graduates must be able to create a reasoned defense of the Christian faith, demonstrate Christian character traits, and be able to articulate a Christian worldview in their chosen field.
Albert C. Outler, ed., John Wesley (Cambridge: Oxford University Press, 1980).
Required Courses (9-12 Hours)
SWU Courses |
SMC Equivalent Courses |
SEMR 2323 Foundations for Success or HNRS 2323 Honors Foundations for Success1 |
No equivalent courses |
CPSC 1103 Intro to Computers & Info Processing or EDUC 3423 Instructional Tech for Education Majors or a passing score on the CPSC 1103 Challenge Exam***2 |
No equivalent Course |
RELG 2403 Basic Christian Beliefs or (RELG 3383 Theology for Ministry I and RELG 3393 Theology for Ministry II) |
RELI 230 Introduction to Christian Faith |
¹All traditional students must enroll in Foundations for Success (SEMR 2323 or HNRS 2323 ) until they earn the minimum required grade. Withdrawal is not permitted from either of these courses until after the last day to drop without record, but the withdrawal must be completed before the final withdrawal date. Students must first consult both their advisor and the instructor before withdrawing from a course.
²No credit toward the computer literacy requirement will be awarded for computer fundamental classes that are more than five years old at the time of transfer or re-admittance. Challenge Exam for CPSC 1103 : For a testing fee of $80, students can take a challenge exam for CPSC 1103. Information concerning preparing for the exam or scheduling it is available from the Center for Teaching Excellence, 864-644-5038. Students who have previously failed CPSC 1103 at this institution and students who are currently enrolled in the course are not eligible to take the challenge exam. There is no provision for a retest.
General Education Requirements (31-32 Hours)
Specified programs require specific core curriculum courses within the major. Students should refer to their program requirements.
Humanities/Fine Arts
SWU Courses |
SMC Equivalent Courses |
ASTH 2053 Music and Art Appreciation |
ARTS 201 Art Appreciation or MUSI 201 Music Appreciation |
BIBL 1013 Old Testament Survey or BIBL 1053 Old Testament |
RELI 211 Old Testament |
BIBL 1023 New Testament Survey or BIBL 1063 New Testament |
RELI 212 New Testatment |
ENGL 1003 Freshman Composition I1 |
ENGL 1003 English Composition I |
ENGL 1013 Freshman Composition II1 |
ENGL 1013 English Composition II |
ENGL 2103 Speech Communication |
SPCH 201 Public Speaking |
Choose one history course: |
|
HIST 1023 Western Civilization I |
HIST 101 History of Western Civilization I |
HIST 1033 Western Civilization II |
HIST 102 History of Western Civilization II |
HIST 1063 Survey of Western Civilization |
No equivalent course |
HIST 2003 American History I |
HIST 201 History of the United States I |
HIST 2013 American History II |
HIST 202 History of the United States II |
HIST 2053 Survey of American History |
No equivalent course |
¹All traditional students must enroll in Freshman Composition (ENGL 1003 followed by ENGL 1013 ) until they earn the minimum required grade. Please note that a required grade of C- or higher is required in ENGL 1003 and ENGL 1013. Withdrawal is not permitted from any of these courses until after the last day to drop without record, but the withdrawal must be completed before the final withdrawal date. Students must first consult both their advisor and the instructor before withdrawing from a course.
Math and Natural Sciences (7-8 Hours)
|
|
Choose one math course: |
|
MATH 1023 Algebra |
MATH 103 College Algebra |
MATH 1064 Algebra and Trigonometry |
MATH 122 Elementary Functions II |
MATH 1053 Quantitative Reasoning |
No equivalent course |
MATH 2153 Discrete Mathematics |
No equivalent course |
MATH 2504 Calculus I |
MATH 221 Calculus I |
MATH 2514 Calculus II |
MATH 222 Calculus II |
MATH 3524 Calculus III |
MATH 223 Calculus III |
MATH 3533 Differential Equations |
No equivalent course |
Choose one science/lab course: |
|
BIOL 1114 General Biology I |
BIOL 101 Principles of Biology I |
BIOL 1124 General Biology II |
BIOL 102 Principles of Biology II |
BIOL 1054 Survey of Anatomy and Physiology |
BIOL 210 or BIOL 211 Human Anatomy & Physiology I or II |
BIOL 1044 Introduction to Biology |
No equivalent course |
BIOL 2024 Botany |
BIOL 201 Botany |
BIOL 2034 Zoology |
BIOL 202 Zoology |
BIOL 2074 Environmental Science |
BIOL 205 Environmental Science |
CHEM 1114 General Chemisty I |
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I |
CHEM 1044 Introduction to Chemistry |
No equivalent course |
PHSC 1544 Introduction to Physical Sciences |
No equivalent course |
PHYS 2044 PHysics I |
Science/lab credit |
PHYS 2054 Physics II |
Science/lab credit |
Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 Hours)
|
|
Choose one course: |
|
ECON 2053 Microeconomics |
ECO 211 Microeconomics |
ECON 2063 Macroeconomics |
ECO 210 Macroeconomics |
INCS 2023 Introduction to Intercultural Studies |
No equivalent course |
PSYC 2003 General Psychology |
PSYC 101 General Psychology |
SOSC 1003 Introduction to Sociology |
SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology |
SOSC 2003 Cultural Anthropology |
ANTH 101 Cultural Anthropology |
SOSC 2123 Race and Ethnic Relations |
No equivalent course |
SOSC 2203 Introduction to U.S. Government |
POLS 202 American National Government |
SOSC 2513 Family Studies |
SOCI 203 Sociology of the Family |
Total Hours (40-44)
|