PRCR 100, Cornerstones, 3 Units

This course introduces students to APU's distinctive Four Cornerstones: Christ, Scholarship, Community, and Service. Students explore the overarching biblical narrative and its shaping influence on a Christian worldview, with a focus on vocation, service, justice, and the communal practices that unite diverse followers of Jesus as a family reflecting God's image. By engaging the Cornerstones, students develop a vision for integrating faith, learning, and service to guide their studies, habits, and relationships, fostering growth and impact at APU and beyond. Meets the APU Core: Cornerstones general education requirement. 

PRCR 150, Visions of the Good Life, 3 Units

The central theme of this course is "the Good Life"-that is, a life that is meaningful and fulfilling for a human being. To develop a vision of such a life, we will spend time thinking deeply about the kinds of things that are essential for human flourishing: e.g., the care of the soul, family and friendship, freedom, beauty, and meaning. Our reflections will take us through a series of compelling works, both classic and contemporary, by philosophers, poets, novelists, historians, artists, and political leaders throughout time and around the globe. Our study will culminate in a campus-wide reflection on St. Augustine's Confessions, which presents the vision of a Good Life in which human hearts can ultimately find rest. Meets the APU Core: Humanities: Fine Arts, Humanities: Philosophy, Visions of the Good Life, Humanities: Literature, Humanities: History general education requirement. 

PRCR 250, Seeking Shalom Seminar, 3 Units

This course helps students develop a holistic vision of human flourishing in society and work out the implications of that vision in relation to a particular challenge in society today. Students refine their conceptions of societal well-being by reflecting on their personal values and those of their family/community, encountering the visions of shalom embedded within the biblical narrative and engaging in civil discourse with others who may prioritize different values. Students become acquainted with the contributions of academic disciplines to an understanding of the societal challenge and then conduct research on a particular aspect. Students assess possible pathways toward flourishing in this realm of society, guided by the evidence and their values. Instruction is provided in how to identify reliable sources and how to draw upon them in writing a research paper. Meets the APU Core: Seeking Shalom Seminar general education requirement. 

Prerequisite: PRWR 113

PRST 150, Understanding the Old Testament: Creation, Covenant, Exile, Restoration, 3 Units

This course is an introductory survey of the Old Testament, with a special focus on its various cultural contexts and genres and the theological themes of creation, covenant, exile, and restoration. The survey is accompanied by deeper engagement with selected books of the Old Testament, including exploration of how those texts are relevant for biblically shaped Christian beliefs and practices. Meets the APU Core: Understanding the Old Testament general education requirement. 

Prerequisite: PRCR 100

PRST 200, Understanding the New Testament: Christ, Redemption, Community, New Creation, 3 Units

This course is a survey of the New Testament, with a thematic focus on some of its key concepts, such as Christ, redemption, community, and new creation. The survey is accompanied by deeper engagement with selected books of the New Testament and how those texts are relevant for biblically-shaped Christian beliefs and practices. Meets the APU Core: Understanding the New Testament general education requirement. 

PRST 250, Theology and the Christian Life, 3 Units

This course introduces students to the beliefs of the Christian Church and their implications for Christian living. It grounds these beliefs and practices in the biblical narrative that students explore in PRST 150 Understanding the Old Testament (creation, covenant, exile, restoration) and PRST 200 Understanding the New Testament (Christ, redemption, community, new creation). Meets the APU Core: Theology and the Christian Life general education requirement. 

Prerequisite: PRST 200

PRWR 112, Writing 1A: Writing and Rhetoric for Professional Students, 2 Units

Writing is a skill that can be practiced and improved. In this course, students learn about writing by approaching it from practical perspectives, engaging with writing processes, literacies, and genres by reading and writing about research and arguments dealing with all aspects of writing. Meets the APU Core: Writing (PRWR112+PRWR113) general education requirement. 

PRWR 113, Writing 1B: Research and Writing for Professional Students, 2 Units

In this course, students build upon the foundation they established in PRWR 112, continuing to develop their writing processes and their writing portfolios by further revising, editing, and proofreading the major assignments from PRWR 112. They also improve their information literacy and research skills and write a comprehensive argument. Students must earn a C or better in PRWR 113 to enroll in Writing 2. Meets the APU Core: Writing (PRWR112+PRWR113) general education requirement. 

Prerequisite: PRWR 112 Writing 1A: Writing and Rhetoric for Professional Students