About CLAS
Introduction
Welcome to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, commonly referred to as CLAS. CLAS houses the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and coheres with the university’s purpose: education that prepares students not only for a specific profession, but also for lifelong learning in the context of Christian leadership and service.
The college includes 11 academic departments, 4 centers and programs, and more than 100 full-time faculty. CLAS offers 26 areas of undergraduate study, including an accelerated degree program in computer science and graduate programs in art and TESOL. The college also offers many of the courses in the university’s general studies program. CLAS additionally houses the yearbook, the student newspaper, a forensics program, a drama program, and the campus radio station.
CLAS Centers
The Writing Center
Believing that clear communication builds community and demonstrates responsible stewardship of intellect, the Writing Center helps writers strengthen their abilities by learning the skills and concepts of strong writing in their respective disciplines.
To this end, the Writing Center staff:
- Treats all writers with dignity and respect
- Teaches skills rather than simply corrects or fixes writing errors
- Supports the faculty’s pedagogical objectives
- Equips and trains in current methods and theories of writing instruction
- Offers creative and individualized writing support for varying disciplines, genres, and objectives
- Develops multilevel resources for writers’ reference, print resources, workshops, and personal service
- Provides collaborative and interactive services to foster an ever-growing community of critical thinkers and writers
The Learning Enrichment Center
The Learning Enrichment Center (LEC) provides support to APU students through a variety of services and programs designed to promote academic success. Services include individualized and group tutoring; Supplemental Instruction Program (SI); training for the Peer-Led Team Learning Program (PLTL); student disability accommodations; College Level Examination Program (CLEP); examination proctoring services; freshman testing in reading, math, and writing; and individualized study strategies to support students in their academic endeavors toward excellence.
The Center for Research in Science
The Center for Research in Science (CRIS) serves a community of students, scholars, and laypersons by promoting research that encompasses and extends the scope of scientific studies to address the inseparable relationship between science and culture, its role in classical liberal arts education, and the ancient dialogue between faith and reason.
The Math Center
The Math Center (Wynn 103) provides additional opportunities for APU students who need assistance at all levels of mathematics. Student tutors (mostly APU mathematics majors) are on site for walk-in tutoring from 4-8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, throughout each semester. The staff encourages learning mathematics by doing mathematics. The Math Center provides an excellent environment for math learners to develop and practice their math skills.
CLAS Programs
CLAS houses the Humanities Program and the Liberal Studies/Undergraduate Education K-8 program.
Humanities
APU’s Humanities Program is supported by five interdisciplinary seminars in the subject areas of Aesthetics, Great Ideas, Great Works, Literary Masterpieces, and Christian Classics. These seminars are housed in the CLAS departments of Art, History and Political Science, and English, and the undergraduate division of the School of Theology. More information may be found on the Humanities Program page, the course descriptions within each department, as well as in the section on General Studies.
Liberal Studies/Undergraduate Education K-8
This program equips future teachers by promoting an understanding of all students, emphasizing knowledge of subject matter, and cultivating awareness of cultural diversity in the teaching profession through coursework and experiences in surrounding school districts that develop a Christian worldview.
