"As an aspiring proficient political consultant I would have to have a solid understanding of many more areas of study than just political science, but because I was required to take classes outside my realm of interest I have the foundation needed in order to be successful wherever God leads me, whether it be politics or just simply managing my personal finances." — Sarah Huckabee

Preparing for Early Registration

Your advisor at ER will work with you to develop an appropriate schedule of classes for the fall semester, one that will be designed to help you take the first steps toward accomplishing your academic goals. We hope the following information will help prepare you for your advising session by explaining what types of courses are appropriate for freshmen. It is not necessary for you to work out a complete schedule in advance, but being familiar with the following information will help you begin to understand how your class schedule is structured.

In order to earn your college degree at Ouachita, you will be taking courses from several categories of requirements, including:

• The CORE Curriculum–a group of required courses designed to give you a broad-based, liberal arts education. A total of 55 credit hours fall into this category.
• A major field of study, requiring 24-40 hours of course work.
• A minor field of study requiring at least 18 hours of course work. (But some majors do not require that you choose a minor.)
• Elective courses to complete the minimum of 128 credit hours to graduate.

Several of the courses you take during your first year should be from the first category—the CORE. In addition, your advisor will help you determine which courses you need to take in your major. If you have not yet decided on a major, it is fine to take a combination of CORE classes and an elective in an area that you might be considering as a possible major. First-semester freshmen typically take 4 to 6 courses for a total of 12-16 credit hours. As you consider options for your schedule, you might aim for this typical course load.

CORE Courses for Freshmen

The following courses are among those often taken by first-semester freshmen. These CORE classes are designed to strengthen the knowledge and skills that will help you in other areas of study. For courses that are offered in a sequence (e.g., Composition I and II), you should plan to take the first one unless you have already earned credit for the equivalent course either at another college/university or through credit by examination (AP, CLEP, etc.). Be sure to let your advisor know if you have earned or plan to earn any college credit before starting Ouachita this fall. Keep in mind that the final schedule you and your advisor work out at ER may include courses other than these in order to get you started in your major.

CORE 1012: Introduction to the Liberal Arts (2 credit hours)

All freshmen are expected to take this course within the first two semesters at Ouachita, preferably in the fall semester. Its purpose is to help students explore the aims and significance of a liberal arts education. Students will read and discuss material from a variety of disciplines and will be asked to write about their own educational experiences and their goals for college.

CORE 1022: Concepts of Wellness (2 credit hours)

This course introduces students to personal fitness needs, encourages students to develop an exercise program and lifetime personal fitness goals, and requires students to demonstrate some basic fitness competencies.

CORE 1023: The Contemporary World (3 credit hours)

In this course students examine current events and their geographical, cultural, and political contexts. Activities include ongoing reading of a major newspaper and working with maps.

CORE 1033: Applied Mathematics (3 credit hours)

This math course is designed for students who are not majoring in math or other fields that require further work in math. Enrollment in this course requires either (a) a satisfactory score on the MATH portion of either the ACT or the SAT or (b) a grade of C or better in ASKL 1013: Intermediate Algebra. (Your advisor will have the information needed to determine which math course you need to take.)

CORE 1043: Composition I and CORE 1053: Composition II (3 credit hours each)

These writing courses are designed to help students understand and practice effective writing, including correct grammar and mechanics. In Composition II students will also learn the expectations for formal academic writing, including research and correct documentation of sources. Please note that Composition I must be completed before taking Composition II. (Only Composition I will be offered in the fall of 2006.)

CORE 1113: Survey of the Bible and CORE 1123: Interpreting the Bible (3 credit hours each)

The two Bible courses in the CORE provide students with a solid foundation in Biblical studies. The first course surveys the redemptive story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, emphasizing how that story shapes the Christian’s worldview and affects life decisions. The second focuses on developing the skills necessary for valid interpretation and application of the Bible.

Foreign Language: Students are encouraged to complete the two-semester foreign language requirement within the first year or two at Ouachita. Languages offered include Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. Students who have exceptional language skills may take the Foreign Language Exemption Exam, and if they score high enough, the foreign language requirement will be waived for them.

Additional CORE Classes to Consider

The following CORE classes are numbered at the sophomore level but are also open to freshmen. If you have already completed some of the required courses listed above, you may want to consider taking one of these courses.

CORE 2113: American Heritage (3 credit hours)

Students will examine North American culture from pre-Columbian times to the present, emphasizing the historical-cultural context of institutions and intellectual movements. This course also highlights the ideas, individuals, and events from which modern American culture emerged.

CORE 2213: Western Heritage (3 credit hours)

Students will survey the diversity of Western human experience in historical-cultural context, sketching as well the West’s entwining with global culture.

CORE 2123: American Letters OR CORE 2223: Western Letters

Students will choose one of these courses, each of which examines literature and its historical-cultural contexts.

CORE 2314: Physical Science (4 credit hours)

Students will survey key concepts in the physical sciences and how these concepts influence daily life. Includes laboratory. Suggested prerequisite: CORE 1033 or higher mathematics