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Liberal Learning

At Christopher Newport University, our approach to the liberal arts and sciences is unique and not available at any other public college or university in America. In fact, we earned a perfect “A” rating from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) for the strength of our curriculum in What Will They Learn? ACTA’s study of 1,098 colleges and universities.

We require the seven subjects deemed essential to a quality education:

Literature
Composition
Economics
Mathematics
Foreign language
Science
American history/government

This comprehensive program of study develops students’ capacities of empowerment, knowledge and responsibility. All coursework at CNU – whether in the Liberal Learning Core, in the major fields, or in electives or courses taken for a minor, seeks to introduce, reinforce and advance student aptitude in these primary capacities.

Core Curriculum

Christopher Newport’s Liberal Learning Core Curriculum comprises a minimum of 40 semester hours of coursework, and includes the Liberal Learning Foundations and the Areas of Inquiry.

The five Foundations introduce students to the expectations and habits of mind that are hallmarks of university life, and ensure their ability to communicate effectively, solve problems, and interpret and evaluate information.

Written Communication Literacy (6 credit hours)

These courses introduce students to the conventions of academic writing, including assessment and use of sources, as well as the aims and practice of argument.

Second Language Literacy (3 credit hours)

Courses in the modern languages help students develop competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Courses in ancient languages teach students to comprehend and critically analyze primary sources.

Mathematical Literacy (6 credit hours)

These courses introduce students to basic manipulative skills, elementary algorithms and the role of mathematics in modeling and understanding real-world phenomena.

Logical Reasoning (3 credit hours)

Coursework teaches students to identify, analyze and apply the formal elements of inductive and deductive logic. Forms of inductive logic include arguments from analogy and causal and statistical inferences. Forms of deductive logic include syllogisms and arguments from contradictions.

Economic Modeling and Analysis (3 credit hours)

These courses use the concept of opportunity cost to identify a tradeoff of a decision, compare marginal cost and marginal benefits of a decision, use the model of supply and demand to illustrate the effects of public policy, and collect and explain data as an indicator of an economy.

The five Liberal Learning Areas of Inquiry introduce students to various modes of inquiry so that they may comprehend a range of scholarly approaches to knowledge and learning, including:

The historical and philosophical traditions that have shaped the Western world
The rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy
The interrelations within and among global and multicultural communities
The dynamics of the creative process
The scientific method

Creative Expressions (3 credit hours)

These courses focus on the human drive for creativity and self-expression in a wide range of forms and over a wide variety of cultures. Students examine creative works both structurally and within a larger context. They may also produce creative works.

Civic and Democratic Engagement (3 credit hours)

These courses engage students in the examination of the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy by exposing them to America’s founding principles. Students explore and critically analyze the texts and documents central to the American experience, the structure of American civic and democratic institutions, historical and contemporary debates and the people who engage in them, and the political systems that frame constitutional democracies.

Global and Multicultural Perspectives (3 credit hours)

These courses probe conflicts and creative resonances shaped by cultural difference, as well as bridges built by shared understanding. Courses consider culture in terms of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, class, sexual orientation, or national origin. They examine strategies of negotiation, resistance, or assimilation as these cultures interact with society’s dominant structures.

Investigating the Natural World (7 credit hours)

These courses introduce students to natural sciences in the modern world. Both lecture and laboratory courses focus on how science is conducted and how scientific knowledge advances in individual fields. Students in these courses will understand the process by which scientists gain knowledge about objects, phenomena, the laws of nature and the laws of the physical world.

Western Traditions (3 credit hours)

These courses explore the defining ideas, cultural perspectives and patterns of thought that have evolved in Europe throughout its history as well as in the Americas after 1500. The courses highlight important characteristics of Western societies and situate them in a broad and meaningful context. Students are encouraged to grapple with the original thinkers of the West through the study of literary works, historical documents, theoretical essays, and works of art and music. Students will meaningfully engage with key elements of the Western tradition and understand its influence on our modern cultures today.

Principles of Excellence

We are committed to excellence in everything we do, and expect students to work very hard to be the best version of themselves. Although students ultimately determine their own success, our caring faculty and staff are with them all the way.

We strive to make the essential learning outcomes a framework for the entire educational experience, connecting school, work and life.
We focus each student’s plan of study on achieving the essential learning outcomes, and assess their progress.
We immerse all students in analysis, discovery, problem solving and communication.
We seek to get at far-reaching issues, both contemporary and enduring, in science and society, cultures and values, global interdependence, the economy, and human dignity and freedom.
Our programs prepare students for citizenship and work through engaged and guided learning on real-world problems.
We emphasize personal and social responsibility in every field of study.
Through assessment, we work to deepen learning and to establish a culture of shared purpose and continuous improvement.

Essential Learning Outcomes

Christopher Newport University involves students in a rich, multifaceted tradition of intellectual exploration grounded in the common principles of liberal learning. We believe students should prepare for the challenges of our modern world by amassing knowledge in the following areas:

Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World
Our students engage the big questions through study in the sciences and mathematics, social sciences, humanities, histories, languages and the arts.
Intellectual and Practical Skills
We challenge students to succeed in a progressively more challenging atmosphere by extensively practicing critical and creative thinking, written and oral communication, mathematical and information literacy, teamwork and problem solving.
Personal and Social Responsibility
Anchored by active involvement with diverse communities and real-world challenges, we emphasize civic knowledge and engagement, both local and global, intercultural knowledge and competence, ethical reasoning and action, and foundations and skills for lifelong learning.
Integrative Learning
Students demonstrate a synthesis and advanced accomplishment across their studies through the application of knowledge, skills, and responsibilities to new settings and complex problems.