The University of Valley Forge Core Curriculum assists students in integrating knowledge, values, and abilities with a Christian worldview, equipping them to serve and lead in the church and in the world . Students in degree programs at UVF are expected to take a variety of courses in the three components of the curriculum: (1) General education, (2) Ministry/vocational preparation, and (3) Christian worldview. Each degree program includes courses from each of these three components. Combined, these assist the student to develop the particular personal, spiritual, and vocational skills needed to serve and lead in the church and in the world . Every student completes a core in Arts, Sciences, and Christian worldview. The distribution requirements of the core are outlined on the following pages.

 

THE CORE (ARTS, SCIENCES, AND CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW)

The liberal arts curriculum is designed to produce lifelong learners and a well-rounded education necessary for responsible citizenship. Successful completion of the general education requirements should lead the student to an appreciation of the variety of academic disciplines. Its focus is on breadth and distribution rather than narrow specialization. It lays a foundation for continued growth and development as a well-rounded and responsible individual.

These courses encourage a broad exposure to and understanding of the philosophical and practical aspects of life in an increasingly multicultural, technological, and urban society. The general education core introduces the student to the value of aesthetics and the arts, the institutions and structures of society, the physical and natural world, the place of historical reflection, and the communication and decision-making skills necessary for an appropriate response to contemporary global issues and concerns. In addition, all students take courses in biblical studies, theology, philosophy, religion, and Christian life. These courses provide a core foundation for the development of Christian faith, an appreciation of biblical truth, an understanding of biblical interpretation and Christian thought, an appreciation for the authority of the biblical text, and a foundation for articulating a philosophy of life that integrates biblical truth into personal and vocational endeavors. These courses emphasize necessary components of spiritual and character formation foundational to the development of a Christian worldview. They are designed to provide a broad overview of essential elements for living a Christian life of service and leadership, understanding the church’s mission in the world, and an appreciation of the Pentecostal movement.

 

STUDENTS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THE CORE COMPONENT OF THE UVF CURRICULUM WILL:

1. Effectively analyze and express information and ideas in writing and speaking with clarity and coherence.

2. Develop the knowledge and skills needed to locate and evaluate diverse forms of information and use the information to solve problems and answer questions.

3. Articulate knowledge of the Bible and Christian thought from a Pentecostal/ Charismatic perspective.

4. In at least one area of the fine arts, understand and appreciate the art form by participating in exhibitions, attending performances or practicing the art at the basic level and by identifying representative works in terms of their historical, political, or social contexts.

5. Implement a plan for healthy living that addresses diet, exercise, and other factors that promote good health .

6. Better understand themselves, their culture, and other cultures through critical reflection of history, literature, culture, and society that will contribute to their ability to be responsible global citizens.

7. Employ quantitative or symbolic reasoning to evaluate and solve real world problems.

8. Distinguish scientific inquiry from other ways of knowing and apply these methods to make informed judgments regarding contemporary issues in at least one field of science.

Completion of these courses provides a broad liberal arts foundation for the student who wishes to pursue graduate study in a more specific area or be prepared for vocational interests that require an understanding of the complex and diverse world of the 21st century.