LBA 101 Composition I: Analytical Reading and Writing:

This course introduces students to the art and science of academic writing. Instruction emphasizes grammar, the development of clear and concise prose, the formulation of research questions and thesis statements, essay organization, and MLA formatting and documentation. Drawing upon Mortimer J. Adler’s distinction of analytical reading in How to Read a Book, the course focuses on analytical writing grounded in close reading and analysis of a particular author or work. Additional components include the study and formulation of interpretive questions and the maintenance of a commonplace book as a means of cultivating attentive reading and contemplation of the Great Ideas. The course prepares students to enter the Great Conversation by thinking about the Great Ideas, posing penetrating questions, and communicating with clarity and precision.

LBA 102 Composition II: Syntopical Reading and Writing:

This course advances proficiency in academic writing through sustained practice in complex argumentation and research-based composition. Building upon the analytical writing skills developed in Composition I, and drawing upon Mortimer J. Adler’s distinction of syntopical reading in How to Read a Book, the course focuses on syntopical writing, bringing multiple texts into dialogue around a shared question, theme, or idea. Instruction emphasizes the refinement of thesis-driven arguments, coherent organization of extended essays, and the use of advanced MLA standards.

LBA 110 Classical Logic and Dialectic:

Logic is the art of right reasoning and a language art ordered toward the pursuit of truth. In this course, students will study and practice formal logic—the rules governing valid inference and the structure of reasoning—and material logic—the truthfulness and adequacy of an argument’s content. Students will also study dialectic in the Socratic tradition, learning how truth is pursued through questioning, dialogue, definition, and rational inquiry. Drawing upon Scripture and theological and philosophical writings, students will examine the use of logic and dialectic in the search for wisdom and the discernment of truth, while applying these principles to the evaluation and construction of sound arguments.

LBA 120 Classical Rhetoric:

Building on Traditional Logic, students learn to craft eloquent, truthful, and persuasive discourse in both written and oral forms. This course explores the classical canons of invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery while examining exemplary speeches and texts throughout Western history. Through exercises, orations, and critical engagement with great rhetorical works, students cultivate the habits necessary to communicate truth with grace and eloquence in academic, ecclesial, and public settings.

LBA 210 Creative Writing:

This course introduces students to the principles and practice of creative writing through the study and composition of poetry and short fiction. Students will learn the mechanics of poetry—meter, rhythm, imagery, metaphor, form—while developing their own poetic voice through the pedagogical practice of imitation. Students will also learn about narrative structure, point of view, character development, thematization, and symbolic meaning to compose an original short story. Students will also engage in imaginative exercises, such as narrating beautiful works of art, to hone their craft through imitation. Emphasis is placed on imagination ordered by the pursuit of truth and beauty.

LBA 220 Debate I:

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of debate in the liberal arts tradition. Grounded in logic and rhetoric, students will learn to construct, analyze, and evaluate arguments ordered toward truth. Students will study foundational principles of sound reasoning, including the nature of claims, evidence, warrants, objections, and rebuttals, while also practicing the rhetorical virtues of clarity, honesty, and prudence. Emphasis is placed on debate as a civic and moral duty—one that forms the intellect and disciplines the passions, preparing students for thoughtful participation in academic, professional, and public life, with students participating in formal debate on topics that may be drawn from philosophy, theology, politics, and contemporary cultural issues.

LBA 301 Quadrivium I: Geometry & Arithmetic:

This course takes a historical and philosophical approach to the first two mathematical arts in the Quadrivium. Focusing on arithmetic as number in itself and geometry as number in space, the course draws upon primary sources such as Euclid and Boethius to present these disciplines in their proper form and order while attending to the relations between them and their place within the wider quadrivium. Emphasis is placed on active learning through sustained problem-solving and carefully structured exercises that cultivate mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and intellectual discipline. Students will come away with an appreciation for the enduring role of mathematics in the cosmos as studied in philosophy, theology, and the sciences.

LBA 302 Quadrivium II: Music & Astronomy:

This course completes the study of the mathematical arts by examining music as number in relation to time and astronomy as number in relation to motion and time. Drawing on historical and philosophical sources such as Pythagoras, Boethius, and Ptolemy, students will explore harmonic proportion, consonance, and rhythm, alongside the mathematical ordering of the heavens, attending to how number governs both audible harmony and cosmic motion (music of the spheres). Emphasis is placed on active engagement through analytical exercises that cultivate attentiveness, intellectual discipline, and wonder, preparing students to recognize the enduring significance of music and astronomy for philosophy, theology, and the sciences.

LBA 420 Debate II:

This course builds on Debate I by deepening students’ mastery of logical analysis, rhetorical strategy, and debate etiquette. Students engage more extensively with complex arguments drawn from philosophy, theology, politics, and contemporary cultural issues. Emphasis is placed on advanced techniques of refutation and cross-examination, as well as the careful evaluation of first principles and assumptions. Through sustained practice in formal debate, students develop the capacity to articulate and defend positions with logical precision, rhetorical eloquence, and moral integrity, preparing them for leadership and responsible discourse in academic, civic, and professional contexts.

HUM 101 Western Civilization I: The Ancient World and Christendom:

This course introduces students to the foundational cultural achievements of Western civilization from the ancient world through the rise of Christendom. Students will study the civilizations of Greece and Rome, the development of classical philosophy and political thought, and the formative influence of Christianity on late antiquity and the medieval world. Students will examine perennial questions regarding God, man, beauty, law, justice, and more, thereby engaging with the philosophy, theology, literature, history, and arts of Western civilization. Emphasis is placed on understanding the continuities and discontinuities of Western civilization, laying the groundwork for subsequent study in the liberal arts program.

HUM 102 Western Civilization II: The Modern and Contemporary West:

This course continues the study of Western civilization, covering the modern and contemporary eras. Students will examine the cultural developments of the Renaissance and Reformation, the rise of modern science and philosophy, and the transformations brought about by industrialization and political movements. Students will examine perennial questions regarding God, man, beauty, law, justice, and more, thereby engaging with the philosophy, theology, literature, history, and arts of Western civilization. Emphasis is placed on understanding the continuities and discontinuities of Western civilization, laying the groundwork for subsequent study in the liberal arts program.

HUM 220 Principles of Drawing and Design:

Drawing is both an art and a discipline of seeing. In this course, students will develop foundational skills in drawing and visual design through the study and practice of line, shape, form, value, perspective, proportion, and composition. Students will learn to observe the natural world with greater accuracy and attentiveness while cultivating artistic craftsmanship. Through the examination of exemplary works of art, students will also consider the relationship between beauty, truth, and the human experience.

HUM 330 Humanism: Christian and Secular:

This course examines competing visions of human nature and human flourishing in the Western tradition by placing Christian humanism in dialogue with secular humanism. Through close reading of philosophical, theological, literary, and cultural texts, students explore how each tradition understands reason, morality, education, progress, the arts, dignity, and the meaning of human life. Students will analyze points of convergence and conflict between these frameworks, considering their implications for contemporary society. Emphasis is placed on analytical and syntopical reading, discussion, and writing about the Great Ideas.

HUM 335 Technology and the Human Person:

This course examines philosophical questions concerning technology and its relationship to the human person. Students will explore how technological developments shape human perception, culture, work, moral responsibility, and freedom. Through readings of modern assessments of the technological society, the course considers how technology can both serve and usurp human flourishing. Emphasis is placed on analytical and syntopical reading, discussion, and writing about the Great Ideas.

HUM 401 Civic Entrepreneurship:

This course explores entrepreneurship as a civic and moral activity rather than a purely commercial one. Students examine how individuals and communities identify needs and creatively build institutions or initiatives ordered toward the common good. Drawing on historical examples, philosophical reflection, and contemporary case studies, the course considers civic entrepreneurship as a form of leadership, stewardship, and public service. Students will develop an entrepreneurial plan, either individually or in a group, with the potential of actually putting their project into practice.

BIBL 101 Old Testament Survey:

This course introduces the Old Testament, exploring its historical, literary, and theological dimensions. Students will examine the overarching narrative of God’s covenantal relationship with His people, the development of Israelite law and worship, and the promises that anticipate the coming of the Messiah. Emphasis is placed on understanding the theological unity of the text, interpreting key genres and passages, and tracing how the Old Testament contributes to the broader story of redemption. The course integrates careful reading, discussion of historical context, and reflection on the enduring significance of these writings for faith and life.

BIBL 102 New Testament Survey:

This course introduces the New Testament, exploring its historical, literary, and theological dimensions. Students will examine the gospel narrative, the life of the Church, and doctrinal themes. Emphasis is placed on understanding the theological unity of the text, interpreting key genres and passages, and tracing how the New Testament fulfills the promises and shadows of the Old Testament. The course integrates careful reading, discussion of historical context, and reflection on the enduring significance of these writings for faith and life.

THEO 240 Christian Apologetics:

This course studies the history, methodology, and arguments of Christian apologetics from primary sources including St. Augustine, Blaise Pascal, C. S. Lewis, Alvin Plantinga, Richard Swinburne, William Lane Craig, Peter Kreeft, and more. The topics include the existence of God, the Trinity, the incarnation, the Bible, miracles, the resurrection, the soul, the problem of evil, science, and the world. Students will examine classical, evidentialist, cumulative-case, and presuppostional approaches to apologetics and learn to articulate and defend the Christian faith with clarity, reason, and confidence.

THEO 310 Historical Theology:

This course offers a chronological study of the major doctrinal developments, controversies, and theological figures of the Christian tradition from the apostolic age through the modern period. Students trace how the Church has articulated, defended, and deepened its understanding of core Christian doctrines—such as the Trinity, Christology, salvation, and Scripture—within their historical contexts. Through discussions and written work, students gain a deeper appreciation for the unity of the Christian tradition, the diversity of its expressions, and the enduring significance of the Church’s theological heritage for contemporary faith and practice.

THEO 320 Reformation Theology:

This course explores the central theological debates of the Protestant Reformation, focusing on doctrines of the church and its relation to the state, the eucharist and transubstantiation, justification by faith and the role of works, and the principle of sola Scriptura. Students will engage primary texts from key figures including Marsilius of Padua, John Wycliffe, Erasmus of Rotterdam, Martin Luther, Thomas More, John Calvin, the Council of Trent, Thomas Cranmer, Richard Hooker, and Robert Bellarmine, among others. Students will consider both the historical context and enduring implications for faith and the Church.

PHIL 201 Greco-Roman Philosophy:

This course examines the development of Greco-Roman philosophy from the Pre-Socratic thinkers through late antiquity and the Neo-Platonists. Through primary texts by Thales, Xenophanes, Parmenides, Anaxagoras, Gorgias, Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Lucretius, Seneca, Sextus Empiricus, Plotinus, and others, students explore the central questions of metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics, and the nature of the good. Emphasis is placed on analytical and syntopical reading, discussion, and writing about the Great Ideas.

PHIL 210 Medieval Philosophy:

This course explores the major philosophical ideas of the medieval period, with a focus on the relationship between faith and reason. Students will engage closely with key thinkers—including Augustine, Boethius, Anselm, Aquinas, and Duns Scotus—examining questions in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and logic. Readings and discussions will address topics such as the interplay of philosophy and theology, knowledge and skepticism, causality and natural philosophy, God, and the freedom of the will. Emphasis is placed on analytical and syntopical reading, discussion, and writing about the Great Ideas.

PHIL 220 Modern Philosophy:

This course examines the major philosophers and movements of the modern period from the seventeenth through the nineteenth centuries. Through the study of primary texts, students will explore the development of rationalism, empiricism, idealism, and skepticism, analyzing modern perspectives on knowledge, reality, morality, politics, and religion. Particular attention will be given to the ways modern philosophy both built upon and departed from classical and Christian philosophical traditions. Emphasis is placed on analytical and syntopical reading, discussion, and writing about the Great Ideas.

PHIL 311 Natural Law Ethics:

This course examines the natural law tradition in moral philosophy, exploring the claim that moral principles are grounded in human nature and accessible to reason. Through close readings of classical, medieval, and modern proponents of natural law, students will consider foundational questions around virtue, law, human flourishing, rights, and the common good, while also applying natural law ethics to contemporary cultural issues. Emphasis is placed on analytical and syntopical reading, discussion, and writing about the Great Ideas.

LIT 210 Homer and Virgil:

This course examines Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid. Students will study these works as literary, historical, and moral texts, addressing themes such as heroism, honor, fate, piety, love, homecoming, and the formation of personal and national identity. Through close reading and discussion, the course explores how epic poetry shaped ancient understandings of virtue, leadership, religion, and the human condition, and how these texts continue to influence Western literature and thought. Emphasis is placed on analytical and syntopical reading, discussion, and writing about the Great Ideas.

LIT 211 Greek Tragedies:

This course examines the tragic drama of ancient Greece through selected plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Students will study tragedy as a literary, cultural, and philosophical form that confronts enduring questions about the human condition in relation to fate, justice, suffering, happiness, virtue, and more. Emphasis is placed on analytical and syntopical reading, discussion, and writing about the Great Ideas.

LIT 220 Dante and Chaucer:

This course explores two of the greatest literary achievements of the late medieval period: Dante’s Divine Comedy and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Students will study these works in their historical, cultural, philosophical, and theological contexts, examining themes of morality, human nature, and the quest for meaning. Close attention will be given to the poetic structure, narrative techniques, symbolism, and moral vision of each author. Emphasis is placed on analytical and syntopical reading, discussion, and writing about the Great Ideas.

LIT 221 Shakespeare and Milton:

This course pairs the major plays of William Shakespeare with a sustained reading of John Milton’s Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. Students will explore Shakespeare’s tragedies, histories, and comedies alongside Milton’s epics, tracing shared themes of temptation, pride, ambition, authority, obedience, and redemption. Emphasis is placed on analytical and syntopical reading, discussion, and writing about the Great Ideas.

LAT 101 Latin I:

Latin I introduces students to the fundamentals of the Latin language through an integrated approach emphasizing reading, speaking, and grammar. Students develop a foundational vocabulary and learn the essential structures of Latin, including pronunciation, noun declensions, verb conjugations, and sentence construction. Through guided readings of primary sources, conversational exercises, and grammatical analysis, students begin to read and comprehend Latin texts while gaining a deeper understanding of the linguistic foundations of the Western intellectual tradition.

LAT 102 Latin II:

Latin II builds upon the foundational skills acquired in Latin I through continued study of reading, speaking, and grammar. Students expand their vocabulary, deepen their understanding of Latin syntax and morphology, and develop greater fluency in reading and comprehending connected Latin prose. Through guided readings, conversational exercises, and grammatical analysis, students strengthen their ability to interpret Latin texts and gain a richer appreciation for the language, literature, and intellectual heritage of the Western tradition.

FRE 101 French I or GER 101 German I:

French I and German I introduce students to the fundamentals of the French or German language through an integrated approach emphasizing reading, speaking, listening, and grammar. Students develop a foundational vocabulary and learn essential grammatical structures needed for basic communication and comprehension. Through guided readings, conversational exercises, and grammatical analysis, students begin to communicate in the target language and develop the skills necessary for continued language study.

FRE 102 French II or GER 102 German II:

French II and German II build upon the foundational skills acquired in French I or German I through continued study of reading, speaking, listening, and grammar. Students expand their vocabulary, deepen their understanding of grammatical structures, and develop greater proficiency in comprehension and communication. Through guided readings, conversational exercises, and grammatical analysis, students strengthen their ability to interpret and express ideas in the target language.

POL 301 Political Economy:

This course examines the foundations of economic life and the relationship between markets, government, property, labor, and human flourishing. Through a study of classic texts in the Western tradition, students explore competing perspectives on wealth, exchange, justice, freedom, and the common good. Topics include the nature and purpose of economic activity, private property, economic inequality, capitalism, socialism, distributism, and the moral responsibilities of individuals, businesses, and governments. Through discussion and written analysis, students evaluate the ethical and political principles underlying various economic systems and consider their implications for contemporary society. Emphasis is placed on analytical and syntopical reading, discussion, and writing about the Great Ideas.

POL 320 Conservatism: Burke to Kirk:

This course examines the development of conservative political thought from Edmund Burke to Russell Kirk. Through close reading of major texts, students explore tradition, political order, human nature, liberty, authority, religion, property, community, and the role of the state. The course considers how conservative thinkers have responded to the challenges of revolution, liberalism, democracy, and modernity while examining competing visions of political prudence, social continuity, and the common good. Emphasis is placed on analytical and syntopical reading, discussion, and writing about the Great Ideas.

POL 401 Political Philosophy of the Founders:

This course examines the political philosophy of the American Founding through a close reading of the Federalist Papers and Anti-Federalist Papers, while also considering the classical and modern writings that influenced them. Students engage the debates over human nature, republican government, federalism, democracy, separation of powers, representation, liberty, factions, national defense, foreign policy, and political economy. Through careful textual analysis and discussion, the course explores competing visions of constitutional order and the moral and political principles that shaped the framing and ratification of the United States Constitution. Emphasis is placed on analytical and syntopical reading, discussion, and writing about the Great Ideas.

AMH 301 American History I:

This course surveys the history of the United States from the colonial period through the Civil War. Students will examine the cultural, political, religious, and intellectual developments that shaped the American nation, including European settlement, the War for Independence, the founding of the Republic, westward expansion, and the sectional conflicts that culminated in the Civil War. Primary and secondary sources will be used to explore the ideas and events that influenced the American experience.

AMH 302 American History II:

This course surveys the history of the United States from Reconstruction to the present day. Students will examine the political, economic, social, religious, and intellectual developments that shaped modern America, including industrialization, immigration, the World Wars, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, and contemporary challenges. Primary and secondary sources will be used to explore the ideas, institutions, and events that have influenced the American experience.

PRE 301 Junior Preceptorial:

The Junior Preceptorial is a discussion-based seminar that cultivates the habits of close reading, thoughtful dialogue, argumentation, and rhetoric. Under the guidance of a faculty preceptor, students pursue focused study of a particular author, topic, or philosophical question, drawing upon the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the liberal arts curriculum. Assignments may include reflective, essays, and/or argumentative essays, oral presentations, or independent research. Emphasis is placed on intellectual virtue, dialectical inquiry, independent scholarship, and the synthesis of learning across the liberal arts.

PRE 401 Senior Preceptorial:

The Senior Preceptorial is an advanced discussion-based seminar that cultivates the habits of close reading, thoughtful dialogue, argumentation, and rhetoric. Under the guidance of a faculty preceptor, students undertake sustained study of a significant author, topic, or philosophical question, drawing upon the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the liberal arts curriculum. Assignments may include reflective essays, analytical essays, argumentative essays, oral presentations, and independent research. Emphasis is placed on intellectual virtue, dialectical inquiry, independent scholarship, and the synthesis of learning across the liberal arts.

CAP 499 Senior Capstone:

This course serves as the culmination of the B.A. in Liberal Arts and requires students to complete an independent project demonstrating integrative mastery. This can be fulfilled in part or in whole by a thesis paper, an internship, or a creative production with faculty approval. Students will first draft their project proposal, refine it based on faculty feedback, and then commence the project. An internship may require the student to write a paper on their experience, the skills learned and applied, and how the internship might impact their future. Regardless of the project chosen, emphasis is placed on incorporating ideas and disciplines learned throughout the liberal arts program, allowing students to demonstrate their hard-earned wisdom.