Core Curriculum | Augustana University
Source: http://www.augie.edu/academics/core-curriculum
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:19
Core Curriculum | Augustana University
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Core Curriculum
Core Curriculum at AU
Augustana's core curriculum,
Via Viking
, is designed to cultivate lifelong learners who are curious, informed and critical thinkers. Rooted in the Lutheran scholarly tradition, the curriculum develops crucial skills essential in a changing world and nurtures personal, social and civic responsibility. As students engage with this curriculum, they will forge essential connections among various areas of study, become innovative problem solvers and deepen their ability to thrive in a world of diverse peoples, ideas and cultures. Prepared with this liberal arts foundation, Augustana graduates will shape a world in which all may flourish.
By the end of the core curriculum, students will:
obtain a broad academic foundation and gain exposure to different ways of knowing by completing courses across a variety of disciplines;
apply skills and practices that advance intellectual growth and address the diverse needs of a changing and interconnected world; and,
develop the ability to navigate complex issues, considering the impact of their actions on themselves, others, society and the natural world.
Via Viking
Grounded in the liberal arts tradition, Via Viking provides students with a variety of Foundational, Selective and Signature Experiences. Each experience is designed to ensure students are empowered to discern their place in the ever-changing world.
During their first two years at Augustana, students will be introduced to some
Foundational Experiences
or a set of Core Competencies, which include
First-Year Seminar (FYS), Christian Traditions, Critical Thinking & Oral Communication and Well-Being.
Students will also engage in a variety of
Selective Experiences
or Knowledge Areas
that reinforce Core Competencies, such as "effective written communication," "ethical reasoning" and "informed engagement with diverse value systems."
During their time at AU, students will participate in
Signature Experiences
or high-impact practices that allow students to apply and expand their knowledge, skills and wisdom beyond the classroom. In addition to an upper-level writing-intensive course, these high-impact practices include internships, practica, student teaching, Capstone courses, research and study away experiences.
Fall 2026 FYS Course Offerings
FYS at AU
VIA VIKING
Augustana University's Core Curriculum
FOUNDATIONAL EXPERIENCES
Students will be introduced to some Core Competencies in Foundational Experiences during their first two years of study.
5-6 Courses | 14 Credits
Foundational Experiences...
...introduce students to the following Core Competencies:
Year One
First-Year Seminar (FYS)
1100 & 1200 | 5 Credits
Critical Reading
Effective Written Communication
Information Literacy
Year One or Two
Christian Traditions
3 Credits
Exploring the Christian Tradition and Lutheran Scholarly Heritage
Year One or Two
Critical Thinking & Oral Communication
3 Credits
Effective Oral Communication
Critical Thinking
Year One or Two
Well-Being
3 Credits
Care for Self
SELECTIVE EXPERIENCES
Students will engage in a variety of Selective Experiences from across liberal arts Knowledge Areas, each tagged with one or two Core Competencies. Students need to fulfill both the Knowledge Areas and Core Competencies.
10 Courses | 31-32 Credits
Selective Experiences...
...reinforce the following Core Competencies:
Knowledge Areas
Connecting Across Cultures
3 Credits
Engaging the Arts
3 Credits
Exploring Languages
3 Credits
Must be a second semester language course (i.e., 1102) or higher
Integrating Ideas
3 Credits
Investigating Human Behavior & Social Systems
6 Credits
Must come from two different prefixes
Reading the Human Record
6 Credits
Must come from two different prefixes
Reasoning Mathematically
3-4 Credits
Understanding the Natural World
4 Credits
Each of these tags must appear at least once among a student's Selective Experiences:
Analytical Reasoning
Care for Community or the World
Civic Knowledge or Engagement
Creative Thinking
Critical Reading
Cross-Cultural Literacy
Digital Literacy
Effective Written Communication
Ethical Reasoning
Information Literacy
Informed Engagement With Diverse Value Systems
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES
All students will participate in 2+ Signature Experiences.
Signature Experiences...
...allow students to apply and expand their learning beyond the classroom.
Required:
Upper-Level Writing-Intensive Course
Must be 3000-4000 level
A Signature Experience is a high-impact practice integrating the knowledge, skills and wisdom students gain at Augustana.
Capstone Course
Research
Study Away
Vocational Experiences:
Curricular Practical Training
Internship
Practica
Student Teaching
Skip to main content
Core Curriculum
Core Curriculum at AU
Augustana's core curriculum,
Via Viking
, is designed to cultivate lifelong learners who are curious, informed and critical thinkers. Rooted in the Lutheran scholarly tradition, the curriculum develops crucial skills essential in a changing world and nurtures personal, social and civic responsibility. As students engage with this curriculum, they will forge essential connections among various areas of study, become innovative problem solvers and deepen their ability to thrive in a world of diverse peoples, ideas and cultures. Prepared with this liberal arts foundation, Augustana graduates will shape a world in which all may flourish.
By the end of the core curriculum, students will:
obtain a broad academic foundation and gain exposure to different ways of knowing by completing courses across a variety of disciplines;
apply skills and practices that advance intellectual growth and address the diverse needs of a changing and interconnected world; and,
develop the ability to navigate complex issues, considering the impact of their actions on themselves, others, society and the natural world.
Via Viking
Grounded in the liberal arts tradition, Via Viking provides students with a variety of Foundational, Selective and Signature Experiences. Each experience is designed to ensure students are empowered to discern their place in the ever-changing world.
During their first two years at Augustana, students will be introduced to some
Foundational Experiences
or a set of Core Competencies, which include
First-Year Seminar (FYS), Christian Traditions, Critical Thinking & Oral Communication and Well-Being.
Students will also engage in a variety of
Selective Experiences
or Knowledge Areas
that reinforce Core Competencies, such as "effective written communication," "ethical reasoning" and "informed engagement with diverse value systems."
During their time at AU, students will participate in
Signature Experiences
or high-impact practices that allow students to apply and expand their knowledge, skills and wisdom beyond the classroom. In addition to an upper-level writing-intensive course, these high-impact practices include internships, practica, student teaching, Capstone courses, research and study away experiences.
Fall 2026 FYS Course Offerings
FYS at AU
VIA VIKING
Augustana University's Core Curriculum
FOUNDATIONAL EXPERIENCES
Students will be introduced to some Core Competencies in Foundational Experiences during their first two years of study.
5-6 Courses | 14 Credits
Foundational Experiences...
...introduce students to the following Core Competencies:
Year One
First-Year Seminar (FYS)
1100 & 1200 | 5 Credits
Critical Reading
Effective Written Communication
Information Literacy
Year One or Two
Christian Traditions
3 Credits
Exploring the Christian Tradition and Lutheran Scholarly Heritage
Year One or Two
Critical Thinking & Oral Communication
3 Credits
Effective Oral Communication
Critical Thinking
Year One or Two
Well-Being
3 Credits
Care for Self
SELECTIVE EXPERIENCES
Students will engage in a variety of Selective Experiences from across liberal arts Knowledge Areas, each tagged with one or two Core Competencies. Students need to fulfill both the Knowledge Areas and Core Competencies.
10 Courses | 31-32 Credits
Selective Experiences...
...reinforce the following Core Competencies:
Knowledge Areas
Connecting Across Cultures
3 Credits
Engaging the Arts
3 Credits
Exploring Languages
3 Credits
Must be a second semester language course (i.e., 1102) or higher
Integrating Ideas
3 Credits
Investigating Human Behavior & Social Systems
6 Credits
Must come from two different prefixes
Reading the Human Record
6 Credits
Must come from two different prefixes
Reasoning Mathematically
3-4 Credits
Understanding the Natural World
4 Credits
Each of these tags must appear at least once among a student's Selective Experiences:
Analytical Reasoning
Care for Community or the World
Civic Knowledge or Engagement
Creative Thinking
Critical Reading
Cross-Cultural Literacy
Digital Literacy
Effective Written Communication
Ethical Reasoning
Information Literacy
Informed Engagement With Diverse Value Systems
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES
All students will participate in 2+ Signature Experiences.
Signature Experiences...
...allow students to apply and expand their learning beyond the classroom.
Required:
Upper-Level Writing-Intensive Course
Must be 3000-4000 level
A Signature Experience is a high-impact practice integrating the knowledge, skills and wisdom students gain at Augustana.
Capstone Course
Research
Study Away
Vocational Experiences:
Curricular Practical Training
Internship
Practica
Student Teaching