Core Curriculum

Core Curriculum at AU

Augustana's core curriculum, Via Viking, is designed to cultivate lifelong learners who are curious, informed and critical thinkers. Rooted in the Lutheran scholarly tradition, the curriculum develops crucial skills essential in a changing world and nurtures personal, social and civic responsibility. As students engage with this curriculum, they will forge essential connections among various areas of study, become innovative problem solvers and deepen their ability to thrive in a world of diverse peoples, ideas and cultures. Prepared with this liberal arts foundation, Augustana graduates will shape a world in which all may flourish.

By the end of the core curriculum, students will:

obtain a broad academic foundation and gain exposure to different ways of knowing by completing courses across a variety of disciplines;
apply skills and practices that advance intellectual growth and address the diverse needs of a changing and interconnected world; and,
develop the ability to navigate complex issues, considering the impact of their actions on themselves, others, society and the natural world.

Via Viking

Grounded in the liberal arts tradition, Via Viking provides students with a variety of Foundational, Selective and Signature Experiences. Each experience is designed to ensure students are empowered to discern their place in the ever-changing world.

During their first two years at Augustana, students will be introduced to some Foundational Experiences or a set of Core Competencies, which include First-Year Seminar (FYS), Christian Traditions, Critical Thinking & Oral Communication and Well-Being.
Students will also engage in a variety of Selective Experiences or Knowledge Areas that reinforce Core Competencies, such as "effective written communication," "ethical reasoning" and "informed engagement with diverse value systems."
During their time at AU, students will participate in Signature Experiences or high-impact practices that allow students to apply and expand their knowledge, skills and wisdom beyond the classroom. In addition to an upper-level writing-intensive course, these high-impact practices include internships, practica, student teaching, Capstone courses, research and study away experiences.

Fall 2025 FYS Course Descriptions

FYS at AU

VIA VIKING Augustana University's Core Curriculum
FOUNDATIONAL EXPERIENCES Students will be introduced to some Core Competencies in Foundational Experiences during their first two years of study. 5-6 Courses \| 14 Credits
Foundational Experiences...	...introduce students to the following Core Competencies:
Year One First-Year Seminar (FYS) 1100 & 1200 \| 5 Credits	Critical Reading Effective Written Communication Information Literacy
Year One or Two Christian Traditions 3 Credits	Exploring the Christian Tradition and Lutheran Scholarly Heritage
Year One or Two Critical Thinking & Oral Communication 3 Credits	Effective Oral Communication Critical Thinking
Year One or Two Well-Being 3 Credits	Care for Self
SELECTIVE EXPERIENCES Students will engage in a variety of Selective Experiences from across liberal arts Knowledge Areas, each tagged with one or two Core Competencies. Students need to fulfill both the Knowledge Areas and Core Competencies. 10 Courses \| 31-32 Credits
Selective Experiences...	...reinforce the following Core Competencies:
Knowledge Areas Connecting Across Cultures 3 Credits Engaging the Arts 3 Credits Exploring Languages 3 Credits Must be a second semester language course (i.e., 1102) or higher Understanding the Natural World 4 Credits Integrating Ideas 3 Credits Investigating Human Behavior & Social Systems 6 Credits Must come from two different prefixes Reading the Human Record 6 Credits Must come from two different prefixes Reasoning Mathematically 3-4 Credits Understanding the Natural World 4 Credits	Each of these tags must appear at least once among a student's Selective Experiences: Analytical Reasoning Care for Community or the World Civic Knowledge or Engagement Creative Thinking Critical Reading Cross-Cultural Literacy Digital Literacy Effective Written Communication Ethical Reasoning Information Literacy Informed Engagement With Diverse Value Systems
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES All students will participate in 2+ Signature Experiences.
Signature Experiences...	...allow students to apply and expand their learning beyond the classroom.
Required: Upper-Level Writing-Intensive Course Must be 3000-4000 level _______________________________________________________________________________________ Capstone Course Research Study Away Vocational Experiences: Curricular Practical Training Internship Practica Student Teaching	A Signature Experience is a high-impact practice integrating the knowledge, skills and wisdom students gain at Augustana.