Q&I Exploration Courses
Concordia’s Q&I Exploration courses build on Q&I Core. You will explore more big questions in disciplines like economics, exercise and sport science, astronomy, chemistry, music, creative writing, anthropology, and psychology.
Throughout Q&I, you will wrestle with life's foundational questions and ideas. You will be challenged to read great works closely, think critically and creatively about problems, communicate your ideas effectively in writing and speech, and make meaningful connections between academic disciplines, the Christian faith, and life. By developing your knowledge and strengthening your intellectual habits, you will become broadly prepared for life and further studies. You will develop into a wise, honorable, and cultivated citizen who can tackle life's challenges and use your gifts to serve society and the church.
“Who Do You Say That I Am?”
The biggest questions that people ask are spiritual questions. Who am I? Is this all that there is? Where did I come from? Where am I going? Is there such a thing as truth? Are all religions the same? Is God knowable? How can we know (about) God? Jesus asked his disciples the most important question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29). This question about Jesus—and all he taught, did, claimed to be, and the impact he had/has on life—still echoes in our ears expecting an answer. Courses that explore this critical question (and others related to it) examine God's self-revelation, and consider people's reception of it and their response to it.
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- Choose 2 of the following courses:
- 6 Units
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- THL 105: Life of Christ
- 3
- This course provides an introduction to Christianity through the life and work of Christ. It begins with the study of Jesus in the Gospels and then moves into the rest of Scripture. The theological, historical, and cultural background and significance of Christ will be examined. The unity and reliability of Scripture will also be addressed. This course is designed primarily for the student who has had little or no contact with Western culture, and no formal education or exposure to Christian doctrine and practice. Departmental approval is required to register for this course.
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- THL 201: History and Literature of the Old Testament
- 3
- This course will investigate the literature of the Old Testament in light of its cultural and canonical contexts with an emphasis on its major theological questions and themes and their relevance for Christian faith and life.
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- THL 202: History and Literature of the New Testament
- 3
- Through a historical and literary survey of the New Testament, this course will emphasize theological themes and their relevance for Christian faith and life.
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- THL 311: Old Testament Book of the Bible
- 3
- This course will offer an in-depth study of a single book of the Old Testament or several books in their entirety which will vary from offering to offering and be selected by the instructor. Prerequisite: THL 201 or consent of instructor. This course may be repeated for credit if a different book is studied.
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- THL 312: New Testament Book of the Bible
- 3
- This course will offer an in-depth study of a single book of the New Testament or several smaller books in their entirety which will vary from offering to offering and be selected by the instructor. Prerequisites: THL 201 and THL 202 or consent of instructor. This course may be repeated for credit if a different book is studied.
How Shall I Live?
How shall I live well? Health can be defined as a state of being indicating signs and symptoms of disease or lack of disease. As such there is an emphasis on lifestyle and lifestyle changes to promote optimal health and longevity. Wellness, however, can be seen as a system of living oriented toward maximizing potential with a focus on self-responsibility. In this approach, one can be intellectually well but physically unwell; one can be socially well but spiritually unwell. These dimensions are not either/or dichotomies as each dimension is a continuum. The emphasis here is viewing the person—or, by extension, the community—as a whole and not only as a body of systems. Courses that explore this question address wellness from multiple dimensions such as spiritual, vocational, physical, emotional, ethical, political, social, and economic wellness.
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- Choose 1 of the following courses:
- 3 Units
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- DAN 145: Dance for Health
- 3
- Dance for health is an activity-based course that surveys physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and social aspects of health which can be achieved through dance as a healthy lifestyle habit. Students will explore published research, participate in weekly social dance class and conduct a collaborative service learning project. Learning social dance integrates physical, mental, social and emotional wellness. Students will also investigate how spiritual wellness can be addressed through dance. Creating a social community environment where the student will teach others dances they have learned will deepen the concepts students have explored throughout the course. The collaborative nature of the project will further advance the social wellness aspect of the course.
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- KIN 105: Christian Wellness
- 3
- A foundational exploration into Christ-centered wellness and how to construct a comprehensive strategy to develop and maintain personal wellness in relationship with God.
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- INT 105: Leadership Development
- 3
- This class is designed to be an interactive exploration of personal and team leadership development. Throughout this course, students will be challenged to look at their leadership and followership style and skill set to serve at Concordia University and in their future. This course equips students with the fundamental leadership skills - intellectual, vocational, ethical, social, and spiritual - they need to foster wellness within themselves, others, and the groups and communities that they serve.
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- PHI 467: Bioethics and Healthcare Professions
- 3
- This course will examine the ethical issues raised by modern advances in health care and biological research. Attention will be given to the language of bioethics, important philosophical and theological approaches, and socio-cultural implications. Special foci may include clinical nursing ethics, business ethics in a healthcare context, or other topics as appropriate. Prerequisite: CTHL 101, CTHL 200 or THL 202 (or equivalent).
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- POL 321: Political Thought I: Ancient to Early Modern
- 3
- This course will analyze the nuances and trace the development of Western political thought from classical Greece to 17th century northern Europe with attention given to the questions facing every generation concerning the nature of political association and the good society. Students will become familiar with each major political thinker, the context in which they wrote, and influence upon the history of ideas.
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- POL 322: Political Thought II: The Enlightenment
- 3
- This course will analyze the nuances and trace the development of Western political thought from the early Enlightenment (17th century) to the present with attention given to the questions facing every generation concerning the nature of political association and the good society. Students will become familiar with each major political thinker, the context in which they wrote, and their influence upon the history of ideas.
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- PSY 331: Marriage and the Family
- 3
- Using a Christian approach to marriage, this course will study the family and its intimate environment including a discussion of courtship and role relationships within the family as a social institution. An emphasis will be placed on the changing nature of the family, family problems, and family strengths.
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- THL 465: Christians and Ethics
- 3
- Through an exploration of morality and ethics in light of what Scripture teaches, this course will orient students to the main approaches, both traditional and contemporary, of non-biblical philosophical ethics as they learn how the Christian faith interacts with these approaches. The significance of the Lutheran confessional distinction between God's left and right hand rule will also be explored. Student research and presentations on contemporary ethical issues are usually included. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing or consent of instructor, CTHL 101 or CTHL 200.
Why Art?
The Arts—visual art, theatre, music, and others—have several purposes. Art can entertain, be profane, or be profound. Art can also move people to significant historical actions, to personal peace or angst, or to community or conflict. A cultivated citizen is capable of engaging with various art forms to reflect and to affect society, an inner sense of being, personal relations, and faith expressions. Courses that explore Art engage students with the Arts and pursue questions such as: What is art? How is art good or useful? What role does art play in shaping and/or reflecting culture? What role does our aesthetic response play in understanding art? How do creativity and the creative process relate to your vocation(s)? How does a Christian responsibly experience or participate in art? How does the beauty and ugliness of art help us to understand God’s Law and Gospel?
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- Choose 1 of the following courses:
- 3 Units
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- ART 111: Experiences in Art
- 3
- This course will address the question “Why Art?” The course asks students to confront preconceived ideas about art and artists, especially with regards to investigating context; historical significance; professional practice v. amateur pursuit; beauty and aesthetics; and contemporary practice. Students will investigate art’s role in history and society, faith, and experience. Students will ask “Why Art?” not only as a “big” global question but also as one that investigates personal biases, beliefs, and worldview. This class is offered each semester.
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- This is a survey course of Western art from the Prehistoric Period through the Renaissance, employing illustrated lectures, independent research, museum visits, and discussion. This class is offered alternate years in the spring semester.
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- ART 312: Art History II
- 3
- This course is a survey of Western art from the Renaissance up to the 20th century employing illustrated lectures, independent research, museum visits and discussion. This class is offered alternate years in the spring semester.
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- ART 315: The History of Contemporary Art
- 3
- This course will examine global art from the mid-19th century to the present as it explores the ideas that became seminal points of interest for contemporary artists during this period. Students will study how art reflects history; how style communicates the concerns of the artist and their culture; and how symbols, techniques, materials, and subjects are used to convey the issues important to contemporary artists. This class is offered every fall semester.
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- MUS 111: Experiences in Music
- 3
- Through integrated reading, listening, discussion, musical participation, and concert attendance students will identify, experience, and understand the elements of music and basic notation and will apply active listening skills to the study of global and Western music from the Middle Ages to the present day in this course. Concert attendance fee: $40.
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- MUS 112: Music in the Liberal Arts
- 3
- Through integrated reading, multimedia presentations, listening, writing, and concert attendance, students will engage with music in this online course in the context of history, style, literature, science, faith, sociology, and philosophy. Concert attendance fee: $40.
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- MUS 352: Music of World Cultures
- 3
- This course will introduce students to the study of music as a universal cultural phenomenon and the discipline of ethnomusicology with exposure to the musical and social aspects of folk, traditional, and art music of regions from Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and North America. Experience in music is encouraged but not required.
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- MUS 482: Music Cultures: Musical Expression in Christianity
- 3
- This course will survey of the role, development, and function of music in the Christian church from its roots in the Old Testament to the present day, with attention given to biblical, theological, social, and cultural considerations. Offered alternate years.
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- THR 111: Experiences in Theatre
- 3
- This activity-oriented course is designed to acquaint students with the ephemeral and experiential nature of the theatre including play-going, play-making (i.e., scene work), rudimentary play analysis, discussion and attendance of on-campus productions.
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- THR 251: Introduction to Theatre
- 3
- This course will provide an overview of the various conventions, forms, styles, and genres of the theatre, including principles of play analysis and exploration of theatre criticism from dramaturgical, literary, and cultural perspectives through the thematic discussions of representative plays. There may be an additional charge for required field trips.
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- WRT 223: Introduction to Genre and Craft in Creative Writing
- 3
- As a multi-genre introduction to the craft of creative writing, this course will examine literary conventions as well as the writing techniques and tools essential to effective writing and editing. Prerequisite: WRT 102 or WRT 201 or equivalent.
What Is Eloquence?
Eloquence can be defined as speaking and writing well, or moving another's soul toward good by sharing the truth in love. An eloquent person thinks critically and articulates thoughts clearly in order to effectively participate in society. To accomplish this, what oral and written delivery techniques—such as language, tone and organization—should be utilized to engage and enhance the presentation to the intended audience? How should logos, pathos and ethos be used to influence the audience? Courses that address eloquence deal with its definitions and purposes, and develop students as eloquent speakers or writers through repeated practice.
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- COM 111: Public Speaking
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COM 211: Introduction to Argumentation and Debate
- 3
- COM 111: This course will examine the principles and practice of effective oral communication and the analysis of the speaking-listening process with an emphasis on informative and persuasive speaking experiences.
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COM 211: As a performance-based course, students will learn argument design, use of reason and evidence, and practice in a competitive academic debate setting with a focus on critical thinking, research skills, and the oral expression of arguments with rhetorical and presentational power.
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- WRT 102: Writing and Research
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WRT 201: The Art of the Essay
- 3
- WRT 102: In this course students will practice research methods and a variety of writing strategies such as narration, description, exposition, argumentation, and develop skills as critical thinkers, readers, and writers through research, reading, writing, and writer workshops.
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WRT 201: In this course students will explore the aesthetic range of the essay by reading selected works from a variety of authors examining them not only as objects for analysis, but also as models for stylistic experiments as students practice the art of the essay. Freshman placement by SAT or ACT scores.
How Do I Understand Nature?
Modern society uses the natural sciences to make sense of the universe, understand how it operates, and help us understand our place in it. A “wise, honorable, and cultivated citizen” needs to be aware of worldview and how it affects one’s view of the natural (and the supernatural) world. To ponder all that is real, one must ask and answer hard questions that continue to vex us, questions such as: What is truth? What is science? How do faith and science relate? Can I know the reality of God like the reality of the atom? How should humanity interact with nature? Courses that explore these (and other related) questions will help students know why they believe what they know about nature and how to articulate their thoughts in an educated manner.
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- Choose 1 of the following courses:
- 4 Units
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- CHE 101: Introduction to Chemistry
- 4
- This course will cover the systematic exploration of basic chemical principles including matter, atoms, ions, moles, molecular and iconic compounds, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, and solutions. Scientific method and epistemology in the context of the interface between the Christian faith and the chemical sciences will be introduced and developed. A lab fee is required. Lab time is included in the schedule.
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- A systematic exploration of fundamental chemical principles including matter, energy, electromagnetic radiation, atomic structure, periodicity, stoichiometry, chemical bonding, and structure will be examined in this course, including the introduction to the scientific method and epistemology in the context of the interface between the Christian faith and the chemical sciences. Lab time is included in the schedule. A lab fee is required. Prerequisite: CHE 101 or consent of department chair.
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- This introductory course will emphasize classical mechanics, wave motion, and thermodynamics. Lab time is included in the schedule. A lab fee is required. Prerequisite: consent of division chair.
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- PHY 221: Calculus-based Physics I
- 4
- This course will study Newtonian mechanics: vectors and scalars, kinematics and dynamics of translational and rotational motion, Newton's laws, speed, velocity, acceleration, force, torque, work, energy, linear and angular momentum, wave and harmonic motion, gravitation, friction, conservation of energy and momentum, thermodynamics. A lab fee is required. Pre-requisite: MTH 271 (concurrent enrollment allowed) or consent of instructor.
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- This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to planetary astronomy with a brief exposure to stellar astronomy including the solar system, sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, meteors, meteorites, stars, galaxies, origins of the universe, telescopes, spectra, and space exploration.
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- This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to stellar astronomy and cosmology including star and galaxy formation, origins of the universe, black holes, dark matter, and dark energy. Lab time is included in the schedule.
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- SCI 115: Physical Science
- 4
- Integrated, interdisciplinary introduction to chemistry, central science, and physics, the fundamental science, emphasizing key concepts, significant chemical and physical phenomena and practical applications together with a brief introduction to the historical, philosophical, epistemological and theological underpinnings of chemistry and physics in current Christian apologetic context. Prerequisite: CMTH 101, MTH 201, MTH 211, MTH 251 or higher or concurrent registration. A lab fee is required.
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- SCI 118: Physical Oceanography
- 4
- This course will provide an introduction to the physical sciences in the context of physical oceanography along with the basic concepts of physics and chemistry including properties of water, ocean currents, heat budget, nutrient cycling, ocean-atmosphere interaction, El Niño-Southern Oscillation, oceanic waves, and tidal cycles. Lab time is included in the schedule along with field trips during lab time and up to two (2) weekend field trips. This course fulfills Q&I general education. Offered alternate years (odd years, fall semester).
Who Am I and Who Are They?
The exploration of this question analyzes the complex, dynamic interplay between self and other. Living in a good society requires citizens to be “wise, honorable, and cultivated” by closely examining how individuals think about, construct, act upon, and relate to one another. Courses that explore this question concentrate on the dialectic between “self” and “other” underscoring the various historical, economic, political, cultural, and social forces that shape both “I” and “they,” as well as the tensions that exist between the two.
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- Choose 1 of the following courses:
- 3 Units
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- ANT 210: Cultural Anthropology
- 3
- Understanding diverse cultures of the world, from preliterate societies to modern technological societies, is the focus of this course, and will include mankind's universal as well as adaptive dimensions; and the examination of socioeconomic, political, religious, and physical environmental factors that relate to the values and lifestyles of various peoples.
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- ANT 314: Native Peoples of North America
- 3
- An anthropological overview of native North American societies from pre- Columbian times to the present will be the focus of this course, utilizing a culture area approach and including an emphasis on the native people of California. Offered alternate years.
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- COM 216: Interpersonal Communication
- 3
- This course will analyze person-to-person communicative behavior in contexts ranging from informal to organizational looking at topics such as attraction, trust, language, and nonverbal behavior.
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- COM 324: Intercultural Communication
- 3
- Social and cultural variables in speech communication processes and strategies for resolving communication problems in intercultural settings with an emphasis on variables such as perception, roles, language codes, and nonverbal communication will be examined in this course.
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- ECO 201: Macroeconomics
- 3
- This course will survey the scope and methods of the study of economics; the principles underlying the production, exchange, distribution and consumption of wealth along with various economic problems. The systematic investigation of the market structure of American capitalism, encompassing the production and distribution of income, welfare economics and current domestic problems.
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- ECO 202: Microeconomics
- 3
- This introductory course will look at specific aspects of the economy such as households, firms, and markets, including the investigation of supply and demand in the product market, the perfectly competitive market, monopoly and imperfect competition, and the role of government in private economy. Emphasis will be given to economic challenges of the future.
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- ECO 221: History of Economic Thought
- 3
- This is a survey course of the history of economic thought from 1600 to 2000, focusing on primary works and discussion of their historical context. Major authors covered will include Smith, Marx, Marshall, and Keynes. Specific policy areas surveyed include internal improvements, money and banking, tariffs, trade, antitrust, and regulation. Recommended prerequisite: ECO 201.
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- ENG 382: Postcolonial Literature
- 3
- This course will provide an in-depth study of postcolonial theory and literature from South Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean with readings and discussions focusing on postcolonial theory, common themes, literary technique, the role of religion, and the question of personal and national identity. Prerequisite: Eng 201 or CEng 201 or CEng 202. Offered alternate years.
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- PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology
- 3
- Concepts and principles pertinent to psychological processes of social behavior, development, motivation, sensation, perception, cognition and memory, learning, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, as well as the biological perspective will be examined in this course.
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- SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology
- 3
- This course will analyze the topics of socialization; social interaction, relationships, deviance, control, institutions, processes, and change; family and educational problems; child abuse; crime and delinquency; and drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse.
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- REL 321: World Religions
- 3
- This survey course of the world's major non-Christian religions will include motifs, belief patterns, ritual and worship, ethics and social patterns, origin and development, and sacred writings.