Welcome.
Welcome.
A hallmark of a liberal arts education in the Catholic, Jesuit tradition is exposure to a breadth of disciplines and intellectual traditions. The Ways of Thinking distribution in the SLU University Core introduces students to distinct, disciplinary lenses through which to encounter and engage with the world around them. In the Collaborative Inquiry seminar, the culminating experience of the Core, students integrate and apply these analytical skills, working together to explore complex, enduring, and real-world questions.
A hallmark of a liberal arts education in the Catholic, Jesuit tradition is exposure to a breadth of disciplines and intellectual traditions. The Ways of Thinking distribution in the SLU University Core introduces students to distinct, disciplinary lenses through which to encounter and engage with the world around them. In the Collaborative Inquiry seminar, the culminating experience of the Core, students integrate and apply these analytical skills, working together to explore complex, enduring, and real-world questions.
The four broad disciplinary areas that make up Ways of Thinking distribution in the SLU Core introduce students to four distinct modes of inquiry, while allowing for choice and flexibility in each area.
The four broad disciplinary areas that make up Ways of Thinking distribution in the SLU Core introduce students to four distinct modes of inquiry, while allowing for choice and flexibility in each area.
Students are required to take one 3 credit hour course in each of the areas below. Although each Ways of Thinking course only satisfies one of the fours areas below, many of these courses count for one or more additional Core requirements, including Equity and Global Identities, Writing Intensive, Cura Personalis 2: Self in Community, and Reflection-in-Action.
Please click here for SAMPLE WORKSHEETS for submission of Ways of Thinking courses to the University Core.
Quantitative Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
These courses introduce students to the ubiquity of quantitative data, theories, and applications. In these courses, students attain a breadth and depth of mathematical and/or statistical skill sets that allows them to assess quantitative information in order to develop rigorous arguments and communicate reasoned conclusions.
These courses introduce students to the ubiquity of quantitative data, theories, and applications. In these courses, students attain a breadth and depth of mathematical and/or statistical skill sets that allows them to assess quantitative information in order to develop rigorous arguments and communicate reasoned conclusions.
Aesthetics, History and Culture
Aesthetics, History and Culture
These courses advance students’ ability to understand the meaning and diversity of human experiences both within and beyond their own social and cultural contexts. These courses develop students’ abilities to draw reasoned conclusions about primary sources (including visual art, literature, cinema, historical documents, and other cultural products).
These courses advance students’ ability to understand the meaning and diversity of human experiences both within and beyond their own social and cultural contexts. These courses develop students’ abilities to draw reasoned conclusions about primary sources (including visual art, literature, cinema, historical documents, and other cultural products).
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences
These courses develop students’ ability to systematically study society, culture, individuals, institutions, and/or communication. Students consider the diversity of social, political, and civic life, and develop tools to draw reasoned conclusions about the complexity of real-world challenges experienced by individuals or groups, locally, nationally, and / or globally.
These courses develop students’ ability to systematically study society, culture, individuals, institutions, and/or communication. Students consider the diversity of social, political, and civic life, and develop tools to draw reasoned conclusions about the complexity of real-world challenges experienced by individuals or groups, locally, nationally, and / or globally.
Natural and Applied Sciences
Natural and Applied Sciences
These courses foster students’ understanding of modes of inquiry used to study structures and mechanisms of the universe. In these courses, students develop an understanding of scientific laws, principles, and theories as well as methods to test empirical claims.
These courses foster students’ understanding of modes of inquiry used to study structures and mechanisms of the universe. In these courses, students develop an understanding of scientific laws, principles, and theories as well as methods to test empirical claims.