Purpose and Objectives of the Course:  Principia, which means "first principles," is designed to enable you to understand the nature of liberal arts education (the type of education central to Concordia's mission) and appreciate its value.  Principia introduces you to the pleasures and responsibilities of participation in an academic community.  Principia attempts
1.   To help students understand their own values in light of those of classical thinkers;
2.   To provide first-year students with a common intellectual experience;
3.   To describe the skills of critical inquiry and use these skills in the examination of classical
      texts and disciplinary perspectives;
4.   To enable students to relate these texts and perspectives to the analysis of current issues;
5.   To develop an awareness of the linkage between private lives and public issues;
6.   To provide opportunities for oral and written inquiry into historical and contemporary issues.

Course Theme:  The theme, "The Examined Life," will focus our inquiry throughout the semester.  Texts have been chosen which deal with experiences from a variety of perspectives and traditions.  Liberal arts study demands an open mind to different perspectives and traditions as it persistently questions the relevance of particular positions and values.  The scheduled readings have been arranged into three overlapping units: "What Brings These  Beautiful Minds Among Us?";  "Do We Get What We Deserve?  Examining Where We Find Faith, Hope, and Eternal Life"; and "Do We Need Each Other?  Examining How We Live in Community."

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