NIC Cardinal Classical Pathway

Classical General Education Pathway

North Idaho College has a proud heritage of fostering general education learning experiences that equip students with the durable skills, knowledge, and competencies for successful careers, workforce participation, and meaningful contributions to society. General Education courses at NIC are governed by Idaho State Board of Education - General Education Policy.  

The Cardinal Classical Pathway is a subset of general education offerings that are designated as following a classical orientation. Our classical curriculum is rooted in the traditions of Western intellectual history and examines the human experience spanning centuries and continents. It is an invitation into a conversation across the ages, where students engage with the great works, enduring questions, and rich perspectives that have shaped human thought both past and present. 

At North Idaho College classically oriented courses are found throughout the general education curriculum pulling elements from classical thought and its modern iterations to include logic, rhetoric, mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and arts. NIC’s classical pathway aims to form critical thinkers, eloquent communicators, and educated decision-makers. It values not only the accumulation of knowledge, but the ability to integrate these durable skills and knowledge across disciplines to be engaged citizens.  

In addition to NIC general education outcomes, students will work through a classical education lens to:

• Integrate Knowledge 
  synthesize ideas across the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences to analyze enduring human questions and the legacy of classical thought in engaging current issues. 
• Utilize Critical Reasoning 
  demonstrate the ability to evaluate arguments, identify assumptions, and apply frameworks to make informed, reasoned judgments about complex societal and personal challenges. 
• Communicate and Engage Civically 
  Develop the capacity to articulate ideas with clarity and persuasion—both orally and in writing—and to apply this skill in contributing to civic, cultural, and intellectual life.

Students should expect to be engaged through class sessions of rich lecture and Socratic discussion. The courses will require rigorous reading and writing. Course materials have been selected for their historical and/or cultural relevance and will be examined in the context of ongoing intellectual inquiry. 

The pathway will launch in Fall 2026

All Cardinal Classical Pathway courses will be found at sections 190-199. Students will also be able to search for courses using the topic code “Classical Pathway.”

Curriculum

Classical Semester 1– Fall 2026

GEM 1:            ENGL 101-190  Writing and Rhetoric I

GEM 3:           MATH 143-190   College Algebra

GEM 5:            ENGL 257-190  Literature of Western Civilization

GEM 5:            PHIL 101-190  Introduction to Philosophy

GEM 7:           CLC 120-190  First Year Experience Seminar

Classical Semester 2 – Spring 2027

GEM 1:            ENGL 102-190  Writing and Rhetoric II

GEM 2:            COMM 101-190 Fundamentals of Oral Communication

GEM 4:            PHYS 100-190  Survey of Physics from Classical Antiquity to Modern Physics

GEM 6:            HIST  - History of Western Civilization (New Course)

GEM 7:            CLC 130-190  First Year Experience Learning Community Symposium

GEM 7 W:       Music (MUSA or MUSP) or PE (any section) – Need 2 credits

Classical Semester 3 – Fall 2027

GEM 4:            GEOG 100-190 Physical Geography

GEM 6:            POLS 101-190 American National Government

Minimum of 36 general education credits

Students who complete this classical GEM pathway will have completed the State of Idaho’s general education requirements for an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree at North Idaho College and will earn a General Studies Academic Certificate. These credits are transferable to all public institutions in the state of Idaho. Students seeking to transfer outside of Idaho should consult their transfer institution.

Students wishing to continue for their Associate’s degree are encouraged to pursue the General Studies Associate of Arts which will allow students the most flexibility to tailor their remaining 24 credits. Other degrees that may interest students are mathematics, English, music, humanities, history, physics, and philosophy. Academic Advisors can help students develop their plan of study.