Liberal Arts Core

Coordinator:Robert R. Bunting
Email: BUNTING_R@fortlewis.edu

Fort Lewis College’s commitment to the liberal arts is embodied in its general education program and in its majors in the arts, sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Liberal in liberal arts means “free,” freedom from ignorance. A liberal arts education is intended to impart the capacities and values required for responsible citizenship and advancement in the professions and help students develop a commitment to life-long learning. These capacities include breadth of knowledge, the ability to analyze and weigh evidence, openmindedness, understanding of different cultural perspectives, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and communication.

The Liberal Arts Core is designed to complement the specialization provided by the majors. Exploration of different areas of knowledge and ways of understanding the world combined with the development of competencies in communication, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning is the primary focus of the lower-division courses in general education. Development of a global perspective is the primary focus of the upper-division courses in general education.

Liberal Arts Core Programs

Education for Global Citizenship

Coordinator – Bob Bunting

Professors – Robert R. Bunting, Gordon P. Cheesewright, William B. Dodds, Betty Dorr, Kathleen S. Fine-Dare, Gary L. Gianniny, Andrew J. Gulliford, Kimberly A. Hannula, Larry K. Hartsfield, Kenneth A. Hunt, David L. Kozak, Neil McHugh, Kathryn S. Moller, Delilah G. Orr, Sarah E. Roberts-Cady, Faron Scott, and Philip E. Shuler

Associate Professors – John F. Baranski, Nancy K. Cardona, John M. Condie, Tina L. Evans, Janine M. Fitzgerald, Richard S. Fulton, Katherine D. Jetter, Susan M. Kraus, Julie E. Korb, Peter J. McCormick, Paul T. McGurr, Simon G. Walls, and Suzanne L. Wilhelm

Assistant Professors – Leslie E. Blood, Majel Boxer, Bradley T. Clark, Nathan C. Guss, Brian F. Hanks, Erik M. Juergensmeyer, Jonathan R. Latta, Erin M. Lehmer, Pamela M. Uschuk and Yohannes Woldemariam

Visiting Professor – Charles J. Yoos II
Visiting Instructors – John Gadbois and Ana N. Hale

The Education for Global Citizenship Program is an upper-division liberal arts experience required of all students that is informed by historical and contemporary dialogues about globalization and civic engagement. Courses in the EGC Program lead students to develop an awareness of how their lives intersect with globalization and to reflect on how the actions (or inactions) of individuals and organizations can shape our collective futures.

Freshman Mathematics Program

Director – Sandra K. Gilpin
Visiting Instructors – Cameron I. Cooper, Leslie Goldstein, Sandra K. Gilpin, and Sherri M. Wilson

The Freshman Mathematics Program is responsible for instruction in basic skills and beginning college-level mathematics courses that fulfill the MA1 requirement in general education and for coordination of the Algebra Alcove, one of two mathematics support centers at Fort Lewis College. The mission of the Freshman Mathematics Program is to provide a positive learning experience that helps students connect mathematics to their lives. In the Freshman Mathematics Program, we strive to make mathematics accessible to our students and responsive to their interests and needs.

Writing Program

Director – Erik M. Juergensmeyer

Assistant Professors – Erik M. Juergensmeyer and Stephanie E. Vie
Visiting Instructors – Esther G. Belin, Ana N. Hale, Cathleen T. Hartney, Bridget J. Irish, Ayla D. Moore, and Gretchen A. Treadwell

The Writing Program provides instruction in basic skills reading and writing courses, the required introductory, intermediate, and advanced composition courses, and elective writing and speech courses. It also coordinates the Writing Center. Faculty in the Writing Program consider their courses “heirs of the ancient liberal art of rhetoric.” The study of rhetoric began in Greece, about 2,500 years ago, as the art of using language persuasively. Although the original emphasis of rhetoric was on speaking, in the modern era its domain has expanded to encompass writing. The Writing Program teaches students that effective communication is highly situational, requiring students to compose and deliver messages appropriate for the occasion, purpose, and audience.