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Education Core Requirements

Esperanza College General Education Core (32 Credits)

General Education (GE) provides a solid skill foundation for your pursuit of an undergraduate degree. Many of the basic abilities you will need to succeed in your major area of study (and in life!) are acquired and refined as you complete the GE Core curriculum.

At Esperanza College of Eastern University, 32 credits of your 64-72 credit Associate degree support your GE experience. These include 26 credits of dedicated GE course work and another 6 credits of study within your academic major.

Faith: Spiritual Development – 3 Credits

Understanding and Loving God
Spirituality (3 Credits)

Spirituality sets humanity apart from the rest of the natural world. We are more than just biological beings vying for survival; we are social beings who, on our best days, cultivate care and compassion for our neighbors, even our enemies. Inspired by the revolutionary life of Jesus, the study of belief allows us to reflect upon our complex questions about God, the holy scriptures, and our service to others in light of God’s love and compassion.

Students take one of the following courses:

  • BIBL 100 Biblical Literature in Contemporary Context or
  • THEO 210 Foundations of Christian Spirituality
Reason: Intellectual Development – 12-13 credits

Understanding and Loving the World
Human Behavior, Cultural Perspective, or Western Tradition (3 Credits)

Students take one course from either category: Human Behavior, Cultural Perspective, or Western Tradition

Human Behavior: Our ever-changing cultural landscapes make it crucial to understand the social forces that shape our ways of knowing within the human community. The study of cognition and behavior helps us break down walls and increase empathy for the other, reminding us that we are never alone.

  • PSYC 100 General Psychology
  • SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology
  • ECON 205 Essentials of Economics
  • ECON 200 Personal Stewardship
  • SOWK 105 Introduction to Social Work

 Cultural Perspective: In the increasingly diverse and interdependent world in which we live, it is crucial to understand the non-Western cultural perspectives that shape our ways of knowing within the human community. These traditions deepen our understanding of our complex, intersectional identities within the context of migration and globalization.

  • SPAN 101A Elementary Spanish or higher

Western Tradition: Because of Western thought’s profound influence on the intellectual, social and political ideologies of our world, including upon the Christian faith, we seek to engage in thoughtful and critical dialogue with this tradition.

  • INST 161 Heritage of Western Thought and Civilization
Mathematics (6 credits)

The study of mathematics points to the intricate order of the universe. Numbers are everywhere, and in our data-rich world, they help us both make sense of our existing reality and change that reality for the greater good.

Students take the following courses

  • MATH 103 Mathematical Ideas or higher (107, 108, 140, 150 or 160)
  • CSCI 110 Computer Literacy
Natural Sciences (3-4 credits)

Science helps us to investigate everything in the universe, from distant stars, to the biosphere, to the inner workings of our own physical bodies. Our awareness of environmental degradation and subsequent care for the natural world have the potential to affect generations to come. Through evidence-based research, Eastern students will be ready to assess and apply scientific methods as responsible world citizens.

Students take one of the following courses

  • BIOL 104 Human Biology or Higher
  • CRMJ 115 Introduction to Forensic Science
Justice: Character Development – 17 Credits

Understanding and loving yourself and others
Character (3 Credits)

Individuals are much more than emotionless machines. We believe in purpose and possibility. To that end, we desire to understand what it means to be human and to explore the ways that faith, reason, and justice help us create lasting change in ourselves and in our world.

Students take the following course

  • INST 150 Introduction to Faith, Reason and Justice

Social Justice (3 Credits)

At Esperanza College of Eastern University, we believe that God acts through individuals and the institutions they create to bring about reconciliation. This kind of transformational movement requires awareness, creativity, and clarity of vision in speaking truth to power and transforming our society for the greater good.

Students take one of the following courses

  • BUSA 311 Business Ethics and Leadership
  • CRMJ 220 Restorative Justice
  • EDUC 235 Urban Education
  • INST 270 Justice in a Pluralistic Society
  • MEDA 204 Medical Law and Ethics
  • TRAN 251 Media Law, Ethics & Leadership
Communication (3 Credits)

In our often-polarized society, we are exposed to a lot of noise. Sometimes, it’s difficult to discern what’s true and good within the cacophony. At Eastern, we believe in becoming intentional listeners, writers and speakers in order to build bridges instead of walls between one another. Moreover, we are energized by the ways that emerging technologies open up new opportunities for transformative communication.

Students take the following course

  • COMM 120 Public Speaking
English Writing (8 Credits)

Social change often begins with the written word: a missive, the draft of a speech, a policy proposal. Through compelling and coherent writing, our perspectives are made manifest and real, that we might participate in the great conversations of our age.

Student take the following courses

  • ENGL 101/LANG 157 Introduction to Academic English and Language Practicum
  • ENGL 102/LANG 158 College Writing and Language Practicum
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