The Penn Leadership Core is comprised of two areas of studies: 1) the Mission Core and 2) the Liberal Arts Core. By completing the Penn Leadership Core, students are given an opportunity to learn leadership skills and knowledge with a foundation in the liberal arts. The Penn Leadership Core requires the completion of 39-42 total credit hours.
Mission Core Requirements
The Mission Core consists of 21 credit hours of coursework (8 courses) intentionally selected to support the three components of the William Penn University Mission statement: 1) leadership, 2) technology and 3) Quaker values. Mission Core coursework emphasizes communication, aesthetic awareness and appreciation, technology, values and the practice of self-assessment, self-reflection and critical thinking.
Liberal Arts Core Requirements
The Liberal Arts Core consists of 18-21 credit hours of coursework (6 courses). These courses provide a diverse program of study necessary for liberal arts education. The areas of study include mathematics, natural science, humanities, social and behavioral science, history, and religion.
LDRS 100 – College Foundations
2 credit hours
College Foundations introduces the personal and leadership development emphasis of William Penn University, integrates students into the campus community, and assists them in adjusting to the academic environment of the university. College Foundations will:
address skills essential to success as a life-long learner;
explore vital university resources such as the library, computer lab, and career services;
introduce the institution’s foundational values including the influence of its Quaker heritage;
encourage leadership and active involvement in service opportunities, extracurricular activities and student organizations.
LDRS 101 – English Composition I
3 credit hours
This course has been designed as an introduction to the writing process. Emphasis will be placed on pre-writing, careful drafting, and critical revision of the basic essay, with attention to audience analysis, identification of purpose, thesis formation, incorporation of supporting materials, and overall essay organization. Analysis of the students’ own writing and that of others will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: LDRS 090 with grade of C- or above.
LDRS 102 – English Composition II
3 credit hours
Following Composition I, this course continues developing students’ writing skills and prepares students for the research projects and critical thinking that they will need in future courses and beyond. Students will read scholarly writing, participate in discussion, study argument and research methods, and prepare research projects, such as a hypothesis, a project proposal or abstract, and an annotated bibliography.
Prerequisite: LDRS 101 with grade of “C-” or above.
LDRS 105 – Computers & Technology
3 credit hours
Fundamental computer concepts, terminology, and skills applicable for communication in today’s world; awareness of critical issues in computer usage, including historical perspective, ethical practice, and current use of technology in various fields. Laboratory applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, programming, graphics, electronic mail, and Internet search tools will be part of individual and group projects.
Prerequisite: Math ACT>19, Math Assessment Exam placement, or consent of instructor.
LDRS 200 – Principles of Communication
3 credit hours
Two foundational assumptions of this course are that communication skills are essential for successful social and vocational life and that communication competence is the mark of effective leadership. In this course basic communication principles related to intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, and public speaking contexts will be introduced and discussed in theory and in practice.
Prerequisite: LDRS 101 with grade of C- or above.
Required for education certification.
LDRS 220 – Arts & Society I
3 credit hours
Focusing on art, music, theatre, literature and their impact on society, this course will equip the student with an understanding of early major movements and style periods in both the visual and performing arts and an appreciation for the works of major artists who were influential in changing society. The course will use lecture demonstration, guided listening, small group discussion, attendance at cultural events, and field trips to museums and/or concerts to engage the student with the arts at a personal level. Content will cover the time periods of the early Egyptians to the Renaissance.
Prerequisite: LDRS 102 with grade of C- or above.
LDRS 221 – Arts & Society II
3 credit hours
Focusing on art, music, theatre, literature and their impact on society, this course will equip the student with an understanding of modern major movements and style periods in both the visual and performing arts and an appreciation for the works of major artists who were influential in changing society. The course will use lecture demonstration, guided listening, small group discussion, attendance at cultural events, and field trips to museums and /or concerts to engage the student with the arts at a personal level. Content will cover the period of the Baroque through present day.
Prerequisite: LDRS 102 with grade of C- or above.
LDRS 390 – Contemporary Leadership
3 credit hours
Principles and theories of effective leadership. The concept of leadership is analyzed, including definitions, characteristics, and skills of effective leadership. Observation, analysis, and evaluation of leadership as displayed by contemporary and historical people. The course also addresses the development of self-awareness of potential strengths and weaknesses of the students as leaders.
Prerequisite: Must have completed 75 credit hours
Liberal Arts Core Requirements are satisfied by passing, testing out of, or transferring equivalent credit for at least three credit hours under each of the six requirement areas below. Liberal Arts Core for the RN-BSN degree has no Humanities or Religion requirement.
At least one of the following courses:
MATH 105 – Mathematics for Leaders
3 credit hours
A survey of applied topics in mathematics including voting theory, finance, mathematical patterns, geometric similarity, probability, and statistics.
Co-requisite: MATH 095 (if necessary)
MATH 120 Applied Mathematical Reasoning
3 credit hours
Prepares students to work with the necessary mathematical skills to succeed in their science or industrial courses. Course includes but is not limited to the following topics: Algebraic skills, Probability, Statistics, Right Triangle Trigonometry, Geometry, and Vectors. Student who need to take a physics course should not take this course.
Co-Requisite: Math 096 (if necessary)
MATH 140 – Pre-Calculus
4 credit hours
Composite and inverse functions, circles, parabolas, exponential/logarithmic functions and equations, trigonometric functions (graphs, inverses), trigonometric identities and equations, law of sines and cosines.
Prerequisite: MATH 102 or equivalent, or a satisfactory score on the Mathematics Assessment Exam, or consent of the instructor.
MATH 205 – Mathematics for Elementary Educators I
3 credit hours
A study of mathematical concepts related to topics taught in elementary schools. Topics include place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, negative values, and number properties.
MATH 210 Financial Mathematics
3 credit hours
A survey course of common mathematical ideas from the business field including percentages, interest, loans, annuities, inflation, markup and markdown, basic statistical ideas, and basic probability.
Co-requisite: MATH 095 (as needed)
Prerequisite: BUSI 130 or consent of instructor
MATH 220 – Statistical Methods
3 credit hours
A study of applied statistics with emphasis on appropriate use of technology. Topics include probability, correlation, regression, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. Students may not receive credit for both MATH 220 and MATH 336. Offered fall and spring semester.
Prerequisites: MATH 102, 120, 210, or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
At least one of the following courses:
Any lab science course: biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics
LDRS 220 – Arts & Society I
3 credit hours
Focusing on art, music, theatre, literature and their impact on society, this course will equip the student with an understanding of early major movements and style periods in both the visual and performing arts and an appreciation for the works of major artists who were influential in changing society. The course will use lecture demonstration, guided listening, small group discussion, attendance at cultural events, and field trips to museums and/or concerts to engage the student with the arts at a personal level. Content will cover the time periods of the early Egyptians to the Renaissance.
Prerequisite: LDRS 102 with grade of C- or above.
LDRS 221 – Arts & Society II
3 credit hours
Focusing on art, music, theatre, literature and their impact on society, this course will equip the student with an understanding of modern major movements and style periods in both the visual and performing arts and an appreciation for the works of major artists who were influential in changing society. The course will use lecture demonstration, guided listening, small group discussion, attendance at cultural events, and field trips to museums and /or concerts to engage the student with the arts at a personal level. Content will cover the period of the Baroque through present day.
Prerequisite: LDRS 102 with grade of C- or above.
EDUC 265 – Children’s Literature
3 credit hours
Students will examine the characteristics of children’s literature. This requirement includes the following competencies: The practitioner uses knowledge of children’s literature (K-8) for: modeling the reading and writing of varied genres, including fiction and nonfiction; technology- and media-based information; and nonprint materials; motivating through the use of texts at multiple levels, representing broad interests, and reflecting varied cultures, linguistic backgrounds, and perspectives; and matching text complexities to the proficiencies and needs of readers. Offered every spring.
ENGL 220 – Introduction to Literature
3 credit hours
Primer for upper-level literature courses, covering drama, fiction, poetry, and film. This course introduces the terminology of literature as well as the fundamentals of how to read, discuss, and write about a literary text. Offered every spring.
Prerequisite: LDRS 101
At least one of the following courses:
PSYC 102 – Intro to Psychology
3 credit hours
Introductory psychology with units in learning, human development, problem solving, perception, emotion, motivation, personality, social behavior, behavior disorders, and therapy.
PSYC 108 – Life-Span Psychology
3 credit hours
Human development from conception to death (child, adolescent, adult psychology). Emphasis on the plasticity, multidimensionality, multi-directionality, and historical embeddedness of human change.
SOCI 101 – Intro to Sociology
3 credit hours
Examines the social processes and structures which shape both individuals and groups of all sizes, including friends, families, corporations and nations. Provides students with interpretive tools for understanding themselves and others in a changing world.
SOCI 123 – Sociology of Contemporary Issues
3 credit hours
Investigates current social problems with an analysis of causative factors and possible solutions. Topics covered will vary.
PSYC 303 – Developmental & Educational Psychology
3 credit hours
This course focuses on human development of child and adolescent (K-12) including physical, personal, social and cognitive development. Psychological principles are applied to the educational process with units in learning, motivation, measurement, and evaluation. This course is required for all education majors.
Prerequisites: EDUC 100, Junior standing or consent of the instructor
At least one of the following courses:
HIST 130 – American History to 1900
3 credit hours
Examines the political, economic, social, and cultural history of the United States from the Revolutionary War to 1900.
HIST 132 – American History since 1900
3 credit hours
Examines the political, economic, social, and cultural history of the United States since 1900.
HIST 151 – History of Western Civilization to 1648
3 credit hours
Examines the political, economic, social and cultural history of ancient civilizations with emphasis on China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Reformation.
HIST 152 – History of Western Civilization since 1648
3 credit hours
Examines the political, economic, social and cultural history of western civilizations since 1648, with emphasis on western civilization.
HIST 216 – Perspectives in World History
3 credit hours
This course explores world history from multiple perspectives, to provide better understanding of contemporary America. Offered spring of odd years.
HIST 217 – Perspectives in American History
3 credit hours
This course explores American history from multiple perspectives, to provide better understanding of contemporary America.
HIST 234 – African American History
3 credit hours
Examines the political, economic, social, and cultural history of African-Americans.
Same as PLSC/SOCI 234