INT 100: Foundations
Concordia University Irvine is committed in providing a positive, smooth transition for new students. In addition to providing a new student orientation that offers incoming students the chance to become familiar and connected with their new surroundings, a course is offered to incoming freshmen in their first semester to help boost their experience. As freshmen transition from high school to college, they experience an array of challenges, both positive and negative. Research shows that the first few months of college can present significant challenges for freshmen. Within the first four to six weeks, freshmen determine whether or not they wish to stay, transfer, or drop out. To support our students during this transition, we equip them with necessary strategies and information early in their academic career that will foster their growth and contribute to their investment at Concordia. One of the avenues in which we work with freshmen is through INT 100: Foundations.
INT 100 Foundation: Exploring Virtue & Vocation is a 1 unit course designed to help students successfully prepare for the rigors of Concordia University Irvine. Students will learn skills to promote academic, social, and emotional success during their time in college. Students will analyze virtuous living and learn how to step in and appropriately take care of the needs of their neighbor. Students will explore their numerous vocations as they increase their critical thinking, sharpen their academic skills, and identify resources that will help them develop into wise, honorable, and cultivated citizens. Requirement: Students entering with fewer than twenty-four (24) semester units of college credit are required to take this course. Please note: in this instance, "university credit" does not include AP, CLEP, IB, or dual credit courses taken in high school.
Purpose of INT 100:
- Introduction of Concordia University, including exploration of the Lutheran educational lens; wise, honorable, and cultivated citizen value development; and understanding of vocation.
- Successful college transition, including topics of: study skills and habits; academic support resources; wellness skills and plan; ethical decision-making; social, spiritual connection and involvement at Concordia.
- Understanding of self and others: career exploration; civil dialogue; and the Greatest commanded to love God and love others.
What is expected of you in Foundations
- Attendance and active participation is critical to your learning
- Having an open mind to learning new information or looking at issues with different perspectives
- The ability to self-evaluate and reflect
- Commitment to the course and its value
Comments from past Foundations students
- "I enjoyed the class discussions. It was helpful to talk about Foundations in smaller groups."
- "The breakout session was obviously the most enjoyable because of the interaction with peers, instructor, and PAL."
- "The sessions got people talking about important issues and helped acclimate us socially to the CUI experience."
- "I really enjoyed the breakouts because they gave us a chance to get to know people and make friends. I also enjoyed the lectures because they were very interesting and useful."
