Foundations Resources

“There is a great spirit of learning on this campus and much learning by faith. Our challenge is to take that spirit deeper, to make learning by faith a pervasive, everyday reality. This will require much of our students. But it also will require much of the faculty and staff. Indeed, it will require new ways of learning and teaching based on inspired scholarship.”
- President Kim B. Clark

Foundations Requirements

Eternal Truths

Family Foundations—2 cr.

A required course that centers on “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” and develops gospel doctrines and principles pertaining to marriage and family life. Practical skills required to achieve and sustain provident living will also be demonstrated and practiced.

Book of Mormon—4 cr.

A two-course sequence that covers study of the content and teachings of the Book of Mormon. Both are required for Foundations.

Scripture Courses—6 cr.

Students choose two of four scripture-based courses: Rel 301 Old Testament, Rel 302 Old Testament, Rel 211 New Testament, and Rel 324 Doctrine and Covenants.

Elective Courses—2 cr.

Students choose from other Religion courses to meet this elective requirement.

Academic Fundamentals

Writing and Reasoning Foundations—3 cr.

This required course emphasizes critical thinking and effective written and oral communication within academic and social contexts. It examines contemporary arguments in audio/video, Internet, and print media. It also introduces critical reading strategies, the writing process, research, and documentation.

Professional Communication—2 cr.

A course that is designed to help students’ success in their families, careers and communities by improving their communication skills. It uses cases, projects, discussions, and readings to help students understand this vital success skill. The class focuses on managing conflict, on improving listening skills, on developing written communication competence, on persuading through logic and integrity, on presenting effective speeches and presentations, and increasing understanding of the power and role of communication in leadership and life.

Quantitative Reasoning—3 cr.

There are two ways to fulfill the Foundations Quantitative Reasoning requirement: 1. Pass Math 108, or 2. Pass any math class that fulfills the Foundations math requirement (Math 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, 119, 215, 221, 222, 223) and then complete the test-out procedure for Math 108.

Science

Scientific Foundations—2 cr.

This is a required course that is introduction to the nature, practice, power, and limitation of science, as well as relationships between science and religion, and science and society. These topics are explored through the study of selected episodes of scientific discovery that demonstrate methodical and creative aspects of scientific inquiry, and the self-correcting nature of science.

Issues in the Sciences—5 cr.

Students choose two courses from a menu of interdisciplinary courses. They cover a wide range of topics, and cut across departments and even academic colleges.

Cultural Awareness

American Foundations—3 cr.

This is a required course that includes fundamental principles of the American constitution, the strengths of the free-market economy, and historical events that have shaped America’s political and economic heritage.

Humanities—3 cr.

Students choose one of four courses that will include cross-disciplinary studies in the literary, performing, and visual arts.

AND

International Foundations—2 cr.

Students choose one of three courses that will equip them with the analytical tools necessary to understand international issues related to any region or topic, and inspire them to be involved and informed world citizens.

World Foundations 1—2 cr.

This course is the first half of a two-course sequence that examines great world civilizations through literature, art, music, philosophy, and history.

World Foundations 2—3 cr.

This course is the second half of a two-course sequence. It will be tightly linked to core competencies and reflective thinking skills, thus preparing students to effectively function in a global society, and in a global church.

Connections

Foundations Capstone: Analytical Thinking and Moral Judgment—3 cr.

This is a required course where students will learn to make difficult decisions well. They will apply analytical thinking and moral judgment to problems with no easy solutions. Students will learn to identify important factors to consider, understand and articulate opposing viewpoints, analyze factual claims for accuracy, spot logical weaknesses in arguments, anticipate consequences of possible solutions, and think strategically. They will also discover how writing and preparing to present substantive positions can further sharpen their analytical skills.