School of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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Jason D. VanBilliard, Ed.D., Dean

Professor Emeritus

Robert E. Wenger, Ph.D.
W. Barry Yoder, Ph.D.

Professor

Jeffrey S. Black, Ph.D.
Deborah L. MacCullough, Ph.D.
Matthew M. McAlack, Ph.D.
M. Jean Minto, D.Litt.
Roger B. Petersen, D.Litt.
Gary E. Schnittjer, Ph.D.
Brian G. Toews, Ph.D.
Todd J. Williams, Ph.D.
Timothy S. Yoder, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Juliet J. Campbell-Farrell, Ph.D.
Paula R. Gossard, Ph.D.
Mark A. Jalovick, Th.M.
Janet T. Tyler, Ph.D.
Kay D. Wright, M.A.

Assistant Professor

Joseph W. Beeson II, M.S.
Brenda L. Ebersole, M.Litt.
Andrea N. Fiori, M.Ed.
Christopher J. Palladino, M.Ed.
Scott D. Pickard, Ph.D.

Part-time Faculty

Gail Z. Benchener, M.S.
Erin R. Ensinger, M.A.
Charlotte L. Gleason, M.L.S.

Adjunct Faculty

Rebecca J. Cella, M.Ed.
Timothy E. Ebersole, B.S.
Jesse A. Fleming, M.A.
Carolyn C. Givens, M.A.
Joel C. Kamm, M.A.
Ann Nitka-Johnson, M.S.
Noelle M. Wayne, M.S.
Sharon M. Weber, M.A.
 

The School

The School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which includes the departments of Humanities, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Social and Behavioral Sciences, provides a broad base of knowledge for life and service. It introduces undergraduate students to a variety of disciplines that, when integrated with scriptural teaching, promotes intellectual development and increases effectiveness in their chosen fields. The Liberal Arts and Sciences curriculum exposes students to human life, their cultural heritage, and the physical environment. It fosters critical thinking, effective communication skills, and intelligent application of ideas to life.

Departments

Humanities

The Department of Humanities provides students with a broad understanding of human culture through a study of communication and research skills, literature, the arts, and philosophy. By introducing students to these academic disciplines, the Department seeks their intellectual maturity and increased usefulness to God and mankind.

English placement for entering students is determined by evaluation of scores on SAT and ACT tests. Students with high scores are permitted to replace ENG 101 English Composition with ENG 321 Advanced Composition. Students with low scores are tested further to determine whether or not they should take the course, ENG 021 Introduction to College Reading and Writing. Students who have no scores will be evaluated by a writing assessment. Students for whom English is not the primary spoken language must demonstrate their ability to communicate in English. In addition to the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) prior to acceptance, these students may be asked to submit a current sample of their writing.

Natural Sciences and Mathematics

The Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics provides students with a broad knowledge and understanding of their physical environment and the principles of order by which it functions. The conviction that God created and oversees the universe and life within it is the foundation of each area of study.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences introduces students to human life in its various settings. It examines individual behavior, social interaction, and historical development.
 

The Programs

English

A degree in English prepares students for graduate work in writing, literature, and a variety of related fields. The Bachelor of Arts in English is designed to ground the students in the foundational skills and concepts of language and literature, such as historical developments within American and British literature, genre studies, and literary criticism. Students may then choose from a variety of more specific foci - creative writing or a particular historical timeframe. The capstone project allows the students to contribute to contemporary developments within the field.

History

A degree in history prepares students for graduate work in history and a variety of related fields. The Bachelor of Arts in History equips students to better understand and appreciate past cultures and what their values, experiences, and artifacts teach about contemporary culture. Following a broad study of world and United States history, students choose from a variety of electives to tailor the program to their own interests in a geographical region or historic era. The capstone project allows the students to contribute to developments within the field.

Liberal Arts

A degree in liberal arts prepares students for a broad spectrum of career paths and for graduate studies in a variety of fields. The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts is an interdisciplinary program designed for students who wish to engage in the “great conversation” associated with the liberal arts within the context of a biblical worldview. Students may craft a curriculum focused on a specific discipline or construct one which samples advanced course offerings from a number of academic disciplines.

Psychology

A degree in psychology prepares students for professional graduate studies in psychology and social service support positions in clinical and institutional settings. Students choose from a variety of electives to tailor the program to their own professional interests.

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