Faith, Roots, and Reason Program Overview
The Faith, Roots, and Reason program at Palm Beach Atlantic University is the unifying educational experience for undergraduate students. By initiating students into the liberal arts and sciences, the Faith, Roots, and Reason program promotes the Guiding Principles of the university and provides a shared intellectual and spiritual frame of reference that unites the campus. By fostering the love of learning, creative expression, critical inquiry, and vibrant Christian faith, the Faith, Roots, and Reason program plays a vital role in the formation of virtuous citizens, which is both a sacred duty and a worthy investment.
The Faith, Roots, and Reason program at PBA promotes the development of contemplative and active citizens. To this end, the Faith, Roots, and Reason curriculum cultivates the mind, develops moral character, and introduces the rewards of a lifetime of learning.
The Faith, Roots, and Reason program prepares students for citizenship:
A citizen of the professional community — The Faith, Roots, and Reason curriculum supports the student’s major program of study by developing skills in critical thinking, oral and written communication, and servant leadership. This Faith, Roots, and Reason curriculum gives students an appreciation of the larger intellectual and cultural context and provides foundational knowledge to pursue academic inquiry in all majors. Although students will ultimately focus their studies in one field, the Faith, Roots, and Reason curriculum bridges the arts and sciences to the professional disciplines, broadening the basis of intellectual activities and interests and developing the capacity for critical inquiry and understanding in a culturally diverse society.
A citizen of the civic community — The Faith, Roots, and Reason curriculum assists students in appreciating the origins and traditions of their civic community. Emphasizing literacy of the Western tradition, civic-mindedness, and aesthetic appreciation, the Faith, Roots, and Reason curriculum provides students with the foundation necessary to serve their communities as critical, insightful, and responsible citizens who make a valuable contribution to society.
A citizen of the faith community — Although the Academy is not a substitute for the Church, the university promotes the wholeness of each member of the PBA community. Therefore, the Faith, Roots, and Reason program explores the interconnectedness of Christian faith and life. By introducing students to the biblical metanarrative and historical Christian faith, doctrine, and practice, the Faith, Roots, and Reason curriculum equips students to become informed participants and leaders in their faith communities.
Faith, Roots, and Reason Requirements
Institutional Learning Outcomes of the Faith, Roots, and Reason Program
- Demonstrate proficiency in written communication.
- Demonstrate proficiency in oral communication.
- Apply logic to construct sound arguments.
- Apply an appropriate method of intellectual inquiry for a given field of study to make decisions or solve problems.
- Demonstrate skills necessary to navigate Christian higher education in one’s chosen field.
- Describe various aspects of the western tradition (culture, history, art, literature, philosophy, etc.).
- Explain the nature and development of the free society and/or free enterprise within the Western tradition.
- Articulate awareness of diverse cultures, viewpoints, and perspectives and their influences on contemporary issues.
- Describe the biblical metanarrative.
- Apply concepts of health promotion and wellness to the planning and implementation of an individualized health and fitness plan.
- Describe the nature and content of the Christian faith as expressed in Scripture, foundational Christian doctrines, and historic creeds.
- Integrate a perspective that is formed by the biblical metanarrative and by historical Christian faith, doctrine, and practice into academic inquiry in a major field of study.
- Demonstrate civic action that is formed by the biblical story and by historical Christian faith, doctrine, and practice.
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