Course Catalog

University Courses

The university offers courses that are not subject to any one discipline, college, or school, but recommended for all students. Students are encouraged to participate in these courses which elaborate on essential parts of University life.

Lower Division
UNIV 099 Strategies for Success
1.00 credit
Strategies for Success is a one-credit course designed to help students achieve academic success. Students will engage in readings and reflective writing, learn new study strategies, practice implementing time management and organizational skills, and improve overall wellness. This course is a creative and dynamic mechanism by which students can improve their academic standing. The course is a requirement for selected students in need of academic intervention, as determined by the Committee on Academic Standing. These selected students may not drop or withdraw from the course. Fall and Spring.
UNIV 100 Fulltime Student-Special
1.00- 12.00 credits
UNIV 108 University Preparation
3.00 credits
UNIV 110 Step Basics
1.00 credit
Open to STEP participants only, this required course assists STEP participants in making a smooth transition from high school to the college learning environment. Designed to be interactive and individualized, this course includes the practical application of learning strategies to academic content. STEP requires admission to the program. Summer.
UNIV 112 International Bridge
3.00 credits
This course is designed to facilitate international students' engagement in the intellectual life of Gonzaga. Course components include the development of study skills and strategies; English language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing).
UNIV 115 The Strategy of College
1.00 credit
An introductory course that aims to familiarize undecided students with major and minor options at Gonzaga University. Through facilitated discussions, students will learn about their academic interests and potential academic disciplines they may wish to pursue. This course utilizes readings and reflective writing, in combination with major/area of interest resources and career assessments in an effort to help students narrow down and select their field of study. Students will learn how to maximize opportunities and academic success in college.
UNIV 140 Special Topics
.00- 4.00 credits
UNIV 195 Study Abroad elective
.00- 10.00 credits
This course provides credit for study abroad course work not equivalent to any main campus course offerings.
UNIV 295 Study Abroad elective
.00- 10.00 credits
This course provides credit for study abroad course work not equivalent to any main campus course offerings.
Upper Division
UNIV 320 Gonzaga in Florence Experience
1.00- 4.00 credits
UNIV 321 Gonzaga in Florence Experience
1.00- 4.00 credits
UNIV 322 Gonzaga in Florence Experience
1.00- 4.00 credits
UNIV 323 Gonzaga in Florence Experience
1.00- 4.00 credits
UNIV 324 Gonzaga in Florence Experience
1.00- 4.00 credits
UNIV 325 Gonzaga in Florence Experience
1.00- 4.00 credits
To be determined.
UNIV 330 Gonzaga in Florence Experience
1.00- 4.00 credits
UNIV 340 Gonzaga in Florence Experience
1.00- 4.00 credits
UNIV 380 Research
.00 credits
Students work on research with Gonzaga faculty.
UNIV 395 Study Abroad elective
.00- 10.00 credits
This course provides credit for study abroad course work not equivalent to any main campus course offerings.
UNIV 420 Special Topics
1.00- 4.00 credits
UNIV 421 Special Topics
1.00- 4.00 credits
UNIV 495 Study Abroad elective
.00- 10.00 credits
This course provides credit for study abroad course work not equivalent to any main campus course offerings.
UNIV 497 Internship
.00 credits
An internship coordinated through the Career Services office.
 

In addition to their major and minor areas of study, all undergraduate students follow a common program designed to complete their education in those areas that the University considers essential for a Catholic, Jesuit, liberal, and humanistic education. The University Core Curriculum consists of forty-five credits of course work, with additional designation requirements that can be met through core, major, or elective courses.

The University Core Curriculum is a four-year program, organized around one overarching question, which is progressively addressed through yearly themes and questions. Hence, core courses are best taken within the year for which they are designated. First year core courses encourage intellectual engagement and provide a broad foundation of fundamental skills. Second and third year courses examine central issues and questions in philosophy and religious studies. The fourth year course, the Core Integration Seminar, offers a culminating core experience. Taken at any time throughout the four years, broadening courses intersect with the core themes and extend students’ appreciation for the humanities, arts, and social and behavioral sciences. Finally, the designation requirements (writing enriched, global studies, and social justice) reflect important values and reinforce students’ knowledge and competencies.

Overarching Core Question: As students of a Catholic, Jesuit, and Humanistic University, how do we educate ourselves to become women and men for a more just and humane global community?
Year 1 Theme and Question: Understanding and Creating: How do we pursue knowledge and cultivate understanding?

  • The First-Year Seminar (DEPT 193, 3 credits): The First-Year Seminar (FYS), taken in the fall or spring of the first year, is designed to promote an intellectual shift in students as they transition to college academic life. Each small seminar is organized around an engaging topic, which students explore from multiple perspectives. The FYS is offered by many departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of FYS courses).  
  • Writing (ENGL 101, 3 credits) and Reasoning (PHIL 101, 3 credits): The Writing and Reasoning courses are designed to help students develop the foundational skills of critical reading, thinking, analysis, and writing. They may be taken as linked sections. Writing (ENGL 101) carries one of the three required writing-enriched designations (see below).
  • Communication & Speech (COMM 100, 3 credits): This course introduces students to interpersonal and small group communication and requires the application of critical thinking, reasoning, and research skills necessary to organize, write, and present several speeches.
  • Scientific Inquiry (BIOL 104/104L, CHEM 104/104L, or PHYS 104/104L, 3 credits): This course explores the scientific process in the natural world through evidence-based logic and includes significant laboratory experience. Students pursuing majors that require science courses will satisfy this requirement through their major.
  • Mathematics (above Math 100, 3 credits): Mathematics courses promote thinking according to the modes of the discipline—abstractly, symbolically, logically, and computationally. One course in mathematics, above Math 100, including any math course required for a major or minor, will fulfill this requirement. MATH 100 (College Algebra) and courses without the MATH prefix do not fulfill this requirement.

Year 2 Theme and Question: Being and Becoming: Who are we and what does it mean to be human?

  • Philosophy of Human Nature (PHIL 201, 3 credits): This course provides students with a philosophical study of key figures, theories, and intellectual traditions that contribute to understanding the human condition; the meaning and dignity of human life; and the human relationship to ultimate reality.
  • Christianity and Catholic Traditions (RELI, 3 credits). Religious Studies core courses approved for this requirement explore diverse topics including Christian scriptures, history, theology, and practices as well as major contributions from the Catholic intellectual and theological traditions (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses) .

Year 3 Theme and Question: Caring and Doing: What principles characterize a well lived life?

  • Ethics (PHIL 301 or RELI, 3 credits): The Ethics courses are designed to help students develop their moral imagination by exploring and explaining the reasons humans should care about the needs and interests of others. This requirement is satisfied by an approved ethics course in either Philosophy (PHIL 301) or Religious Studies (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • World/Comparative Religion (RELI, 3 credits): Religious Studies courses approved for this core requirement draw attention to the diversity that exists within and among traditions and encourage students to bring critical, analytical thinking to bear on the traditions and questions considered. These courses carries one of the required two global-studies designations (see below) (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).

Year 4 Theme and Question: Imagining the Possible: What is our role in the world?” 

  • Core Integration Seminar (DEPT 432, 3 credits). The Core Integration Seminar (CIS) offers students a culminating core experience in which they integrate the principles of Jesuit education, prior components of the core, and their disciplinary expertise. Some CIS courses may also count toward a student’s major or minor. The CIS is offered by several departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of CIS courses).

The Broadening Courses

  • Fine Arts & Design (VART, MUSC, THEA, 3 credits): Arts courses explore multiple ways the human experience can be expressed through creativity, including across different cultures and societies. One approved course in fine arts, music, theatre, or dance will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • History (HIST, 3 credits): History courses are intended to develop students’ awareness of the historical context of both the individual and the collective human experience. One course in History (HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 112, HIST 201, HIST 202) will fulfill this requirement.
  • Literature (3 credits): Literature courses foster reflection on how literature engages with a range of human experience. One approved course in Literature (offered by English, Classics, or Modern Languages) will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 credits): Courses in the social and behavioral sciences engage students in studying human behavior, social systems, and social issues. One approved course offered by Criminal Justice, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Women and Gender Studies will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).

The Designations
Designations are embedded within already existing core, major, minor, and elective courses. Students are encouraged to meet designation requirements within elective courses as their schedule allows; however, with careful planning students should be able to complete most of the designation requirements within other core, major, or minor courses.

  • Writing Enriched (WE; 3 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the WE designation are designed to promote the humanistic and Jesuit pedagogical ideal of clear, effective communication. In addition to the required core course, Writing (ENGL 101), which carries one of the WE designations, students must take two other WE-designated courses (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • Global-Studies (GS; 2 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the GS designation are designed to challenge students to perceive and understand human diversity by exploring diversity within a context of constantly changing global systems. In addition to the required core course, World/Comparative Religion (RELI 300-level), which carries one of the GS designations, students must take one other GS-designated course (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • Social-Justice (SJ; 1 course meeting this designation): Courses carrying the SJ designation are designed to introduce students to one or more social justice concerns. Students must take one course that meets the SJ designation (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).

Major-specific adaptations to the University Core Curriculum

All Gonzaga students, regardless of their major, will complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. However some Gonzaga students will satisfy certain core requirements through major-specific programs or courses. Any major-specific adaptations to the core are described with the requirements for the majors to which they apply.