Palm 黑料吃瓜网 Atlantic has renamed its general education courses 鈥淔aith, Roots and Reason,鈥� emphasizing the value of the unique curriculum.
The name points to three critical aspects of PBA鈥檚 transformative liberal arts education: faith formation, foundational knowledge and critical thinking, said Faculty Senate President Dr. Elizabeth Stice. General education courses are courses such as sciences, humanities, composition and Exploring the Bible that all students complete.
PBA鈥檚 Faith, Roots and Reason curriculum is distinct in that it鈥檚 designed to span students鈥� entire undergraduate careers, said Dr. Jenifer Elmore, an English professor and 2013 winner of the Corts Award for Outstanding Teaching. That design allows students to incorporate skills taught in their general education courses with the skills gained in their majors.
鈥淔aith comes first, in the name and at PBA,鈥� Elmore said. 鈥淔aith is the beginning point and the base underneath everything else.鈥�
Said Kyla Gates, a biology major: 鈥淭he program here at PBA is very special compared to other courses at other universities because we鈥檙e able to form views on ourselves and the world based on a Christian perspective.鈥�
The 鈥渞oots鈥� component of the curriculum focuses on the history and values that have shaped Christians, America and the world, said history Professor Dr. Gary Poe, a 2010 Corts Award winner.
Reason 鈥済ives us those tools鈥� for critical thinking, which is an integral part of the curriculum, said biology Professor Dr. Tom Chesnes, a 2015 Corts Award winner.
President Dr. Debra A. Schwinn had charged the faculty with rebranding the curriculum, and the Senate convened a task force of award-winning faculty members: Drs. Elmore, Chesnes, Suzanne Cardona, Beate Rodewald, Gary Poe, Tom St. Antoine, Cora Barnhart, Stephanie Bennett and Linda Sedlacek.
