NNU is committed to providing its undergraduate students with an acquaintance with the major fields of knowledge through a study in the liberal arts, an effective foundation in and a working grasp of one field in a selected major, and a balanced development of the wholly-educated person within the context of Christian commitment. Based on the philosophy of education and the University values, NNU has grouped the general education outcomes into four categories.
General Education Outcomes
I. Christian Formation
- Students will understand the Bible as a collection of ancient texts gathered as a canonical library for the Church and will develop and employ appropriate exegetical skills and methods in order to interpret the Bible responsibly and transformationally.
- Students will understand major doctrinal developments and emphases (including the creeds) within the historic theological traditions of Christendom and articulate distinctive characteristics of Wesleyan theology and its contributions to broader conversations within Christian theology.
- Students will understand and value the role of thoughtful biblical/theological reflection within the Wesleyan theological context and will develop and employ enhanced skills that critically integrate aspects of biblical interpretation and Christian theology to explore contemporary issues.
- Students will construct and critically evaluate philosophical, theological, or ethical arguments by using both formal and informal logic. Students will also apply principles of formal or informal logic to better understand their own faith commitments.
II. Humanities
- Students will be able to make informed decisions and choices regarding visual, musical, and literary art based on the historical, political, and socio-cultural contexts in which they emerged.
- Students will demonstrate growth in embodying and articulating the four university values.
- Students will interact and communicate openly with individuals from diverse backgrounds while observing, contrasting, comparing, and understanding different worldviews and ways of knowing.
- Students will develop an integrated approach to the human story that takes into account contrasting interpretations and the diverse roles of people within history.
III. Sciences
- Students will be able to assess scientific practices within the foundational theories of one field of the natural sciences.
- Students will apply the basic methods of scientific inquiry in a laboratory experience.
- Students will have developed a deeper understanding of the relation of self to the world through investigation of the influences of social, cultural, economic, and political institutions in shaping human thought, values, and behavior.
- Students will have an awareness of human health, including stewardship of their own bodies.
IV. Intellectual and Practical Skills
- Students will be able to effectively use the English language, writing and speaking with clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness.
- Students will be able to think critically, independently, and creatively so that they can make informed and logical judgments of the arguments of others, arrive at reasoned and well-supported arguments and positions, and formulate and apply ideas to new contexts.
- Students will be able to comprehend and to use quantitative concepts and methods to interpret and to critically evaluate data and to effectively problem-solve in a variety of contexts demanding quantitative literacy.
- Students will be able to locate, access, analyze, and utilize information that facilitates learning and critical inquiry and to adhere to the standards of academic honesty in their use of that information.