Course Schedule of Sessions

Session 1: DO I HAVE A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION?   

A. Course introduction:  syllabus overview and course requirements.

B. Brief Seminar Orientation by Group Leader:

Why take SS 400: Senior Seminar?  -- Three questions for the course:

 (1) What is a liberal arts education?

Quick Definitions:  p. 4, p. 15 of Reading Resources

(2) What is integration of faith and learning?

Quick Definitions: p. 4, p. 20 of Reading Resources

Examples questions in integrating faith & learning: p.17; example areas, pp. 45 ff.

(3) What is a world view and what does it have to with faith and learning?

Quick Definition: p. 6

Example of what a Christian world view looks like: p. 36; example beliefs in a Biblical worldview, pp. 37 ff.

Course Challenge:  Have I thought through my world view in integrating faith and learning at Emmanuel?

C. Assignments for Session Two:

­1. Read course syllabus and the following articles from the SS400: READING RESOURCES:

(a) Oxley, “What Does SS400: Senior Seminar Have To Do With A Liberal Arts Education?” – p. 2 ff

(b) Harris, “What Is The Integration Of Faith And Learning?’ – p.19 ff

2. Do Reflection Essay, “Two Persons I Would Like To Have As Mentors/My Story.”

 (Use essay guide sheet for this essay provided at the end of the syllabus.)

3. Log on to Optimal Resume (https://emmanuel.optimalresume.com/).  Click on the “New Users Click Here” link.  Follow the instructions to establish an account until you reach this message:   “Your account is pending and must be validated by your career counselor before it becomes active.”  (No further action is necessary for this assignment.)

 

 

Session 2: HOW WELL HAVE I INTEGRATED MY FAITH AND LEARNING?

A. Seminar Discussion Questions:

1. Review: How is a liberal arts education different from a technical college education?   (P. 2 ff)

2. What is the integration of faith and learning?  (p. 19 ff)

3. What are some examples of what is not integration of faith and learning?  (p. 5)

4. What are some examples of integrating faith and learning as ‘thinking Christianly’ within academic disciplines? (p. 46 ff)

5. What does a world view have to do with integrating faith and learning?  (p. 6, p. 35 ff.)

What are some questions to ask in identifying a world view?

6. What are some steps to take in integrating faith and learning? (p. 24 ff)

          What are two questions to ask (p. 24)?   What are types of integration?

B. Assignment for Session Three:

1. Read in the SS400 Reading Resources the following articles:

a. Read Taylor’s article, “Christian World View” (p. 35 ff) noting the specific Biblical ideas that go into the making of a Biblical worldview.

b. Browse through Part II of Taylor’s article (pp. 45 ff) and find the section that represents your academic major.  What are some questions that you have to deal with in integrating faith with your academic major?

2. One-two page writing assignment:  “The World View Beneath the Life of _____________”  

a. The purpose of this assignment is to analyze and identify various elements of the world view of a person presented in the Galli textbook, 131 Christians Everyone Should Know.

b. Use the guide sheet at the end of this syllabus for doing this essay.

 

Session 3:  WHAT DOES MY WORLD VIEW LOOK LIKE AFTER FAITH-LEARNING INTEGRATION?    

 

A. Seminar Discussion Questions:

1. Review the components of a worldview (pp. 6, 7, 35 ff)

2. Where does a Christian worldview take its starting point?  (p. 62)

3. What would be some world view issues for me to deal with if my academic major were the Arts? (p. 61) What would be some questions for my world view if my major were business?  (p. 70)

4. Using the material in the Oxley article (pp. 6 ff) and Taylor article (p. 35 ff; especially Part II, pp. 45 ff), how do I go about describing my personal world view?

5. What do you think are some Biblical beliefs that go into the foundations of a Christian’s world view? (pp. 36 ff)

B. Assignment for Session Four:

Oral Presentation:  Prepare a speech, using the attached guide sheet and grading rubric, which presents your personal world view. 

 

Session 4: HOW DOES MY WORLD VIEW SHOW EVIDENCE OF INTEGRATING FAITH AND LEARNING ?

                          (PART 1)

 A. Seminar Discussion Topics:

1. Presentation of speeches (first half of students).

2. Question & answer session:  student presenters answer any questions from students and professor on presentation.

B.  Assignment for Session Five: 

1.  Read The Job Hunting Handbook by Harry Dahlstrom.

2.  Fill in at least three of the blanks in the Handbook, including the section on using non-work experience on a resume.

3.  Come to class prepared to share some examples of non-work experience which you think may be related to the job you will be pursuing and would look good on your resume.

 

 

Session 5: HOW DOES MY WORLD VIEW SHOW EVIDENCE OF INTEGRATING FAITH AND LEARNING ?

                          (PART 2)

 A. Seminar Discussion Topics:

1. Presentation of speeches (first half of students).

2. Question & answer session:  student presenters answer any questions from students and professor on presentation.

3. Discuss (if time remains):  How do world views develop?    Should I intentionally change my world view?   How has my world view changed since experiencing a liberal arts education Emmanuel?

4. Discuss (if time remains):  Student examples of non-work experience which might be helpful on resume.

B. Assignment for Session Six: 

1.  Read the Edwards article, “What Is Emmanuel’s Philosophy of Liberal Arts Education?” (p. 9 ff)

2. Read Harris article, “What Are Some Objections to the Integration of Faith and Learning?” (p. 24 ff).

3. Read at least two chapters in 131 Christians Everyone Should Know that you have not used in previous assignments.  Be prepared to share how the two persons represented by these chapters can help you in the integration of faith and learning.

 

Session 6: DOES THE BIBLE TEACH WE SHOULD HAVE A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION?  AND, WHO SAYS WE HAVE TO INTEGRATE FAITH AND LEARNING?  (SOME POSSIBLE OBJECTIONS)

A. Seminar Discussion Questions: 

1.  Christian Liberal Arts Philosophy:

§         What is a Christian liberal arts college? 

§         Do you have to attend a Christian liberal arts college if you are a Christian?    Why attend a Christian liberal arts college?

§         In what way is Emmanuel a Christian liberal arts college?

§         How have I experienced a liberal arts education at Emmanuel?

2.  Integration Objections:

§         Suppose someone says, “I don’t think that religion and academics should mix.”  How would you respond?

§         Go through each of the nine objections to integrating faith and learning considered in the Harris article (p. 24 ff). Do you agree with Harris’ replies to the objections?

B. Assignment for Session Seven:

1.  Read three articles on Career Builder:  Go to www.careerbuilder.com.  From the “Advice and Resources” menu, select “Career Advice.”  Read at least one article (of your choice) from each of these three categories:

§         Job Search

§         Cover Letters & Resumes

§         Getting Hired

2.      Discussion:  Come prepared to next session with the following discussion items.

§         At least one tip to share with classmates from CareerBuilder readings.

§         Questions for professor/classmates regarding graduate school.

§         Questions for professor/classmates regarding careers.

 

Session 7:  INTEGRATING FAITH AND LEARNING FOR EFFECTIVE CARREERS AND GRADUATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP

A. Seminar Discussion: 

1.  Report from each student on Career Builder tips.

2.  Report from professor:  What do I wish I had known before I applied to and/or attended graduate school?  What challenges/successes have I had in integrating my faith into my graduate school experiences?

3.  Report from professor:  What do I wish I’d known before I went for my first job interview?  What challenges/successes have I had in integrating my faith into my life in the workplace?

4.  Student Questions:  Specific questions regarding applying for and/or attending graduate school and applying for and/or working in a career.

B. Assignments for Remainder of the Semester: 

1.  Complete SCALES

2.  Resume Builder: Use Optimal Resume to develop a complete resume for yourself. 

§         Go to https://emmanuel.optimalresume.com/ and follow the online instructions. 

§         Email a Microsoft Word version of your resume to your instructor by March 10. 

§         Your professor will use the reviewing functions of Word to make suggestions for improvement and email back to you by the end of the semester.   

3.  Analytical Research Paper:

§         See guide sheet (below) for assignment details.

§         Use rubric (below) to help you focus on key aspects which will be used to establish your grade for this paper.

§         You are expected to produce multiple drafts.

§         You are expected to secure feedback on at least one draft from the Student Success Center and to improve your paper based upon that feedback.

§         You must turn in documentation with your final draft that you received assistance from an SSC tutor.

§         2 print copies are due to your instructor (via campus mail or hand-delivered) by March 31.

§         If you wish for your professor to return your graded essay to you, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope when you turn in your two copies. 

 

“Session 8” – Final Exam:  The final exam for this course will be to take the Liberal Arts Core Exit Exam @ 10:30 am, Monday, May 5, in Wellons 101.  This counts as part of the regular attendance grade for the course.